The rules bit
Terms of participation
Software Makers brings engineers together to look for their next role or build useful software. These plain-English terms describe the deal when you join.
Updated 8 November 2026
The deal
Richard Steinmetz operates Software Makers as part of Loop Labs. By registering, you agree to these participation terms.
You bring a focus for your software work or job search, show up for the live sessions, and treat the other Makers and their work with respect. Software Makers provides the group, session format, and shared context in good faith.
Free and paid membership
Job Search Factory is free. Confirm your email to join when registration is open and a seat is available. No paid subscription is required.
For direct Software Makers membership, free membership includes implementation and accountability session notifications and lets you request a seat in our free cohorts. Direct paid membership includes the free cohorts and adds eligibility for paid cohorts at $97 USD per month, renewing monthly until cancelled. You can cancel anytime and request a no-questions refund within your first 30 days. The checkout describes the billing terms before you pay. Contact Rich using the support details below if you need help cancelling or requesting a refund.
Deleting your app account or withdrawing from a cohort does not cancel a paid subscription. Cancel through the platform where you purchased.
As an optional experiment, a MentorCruise plan may include group sessions at no extra charge. Rich confirms the group and included access before you join; existing one-to-one commitments remain in place. Billing, cancellation, and refunds stay on MentorCruise under its terms and your agreed plan. The direct membership offer above does not replace those purchase terms.
Seats and participation
Job Search Factory automatically releases your seat after the consecutive missed-session limit shown in the FAQ. You can rejoin when registration is open and a seat is available.
Each cohort displays its Maker seat limit, with a separate place for its Facilitator. A verified paid membership lets you choose a cohort and join directly when a seat is available and joining is open. Free Makers can request to join a cohort; its Facilitator or an Administrator will contact them. Requests do not reserve seats or grant session access and do not expire automatically. Staff may confirm a free Maker’s place in a cohort included with free membership; paid cohorts require verified paid eligibility before activation. You can have one current cohort application or seat at a time. Membership does not guarantee an immediate place in a particular cohort. You can withdraw at any time from your dashboard, and an Administrator may remove an account that disrupts the group or misuses the service.
Your work stays yours
You keep ownership of your projects, code, ideas, and profile material. You choose whether your Maker profile appears publicly. Share only work and information you have permission to share with the group. Keep other participants' private information, code, and contributions within the group unless they give permission to share them. Do not publish a recording, transcript, screenshot, or testimonial featuring another participant without their permission.
Sessions, transcripts, and AI
Job Search Factory sessions may be transcribed in Google Meet. We don't make audio or video recordings of those sessions. Other cohorts may use Wispr Flow recordings or Google Meet transcripts. OpenAI’s Codex may process transcripts, summary notes, and earlier analyses from the same cohort to prepare participant notes and analysis for its private session record. This workflow is disclosed at registration and on session pages. The Privacy notice explains what is stored, who can access it, and how to request deletion or correction.
Optional Slack access
The private Slack channel is optional and is not the centre of the cohort. Access follows your paid Software Makers membership and participation status.
No guarantees
The group can offer momentum, feedback, support, and the occasional useful ass-kicking. It cannot guarantee a job, a project's success or income, or uninterrupted service.
Questions or problems
Email rich@looplabs.cc. It reaches the person operating Software Makers.
These terms do not limit mandatory consumer rights. The Loop Labs terms describe the wider business and its support arrangements.