Helping founders find community and connections
Strengthens Oakland-based small businesses through community, collective learning, and access to capital, prioritizing Black, Latino, and underinvested founders focused on equity, sustainability, and green jobs. Offers eligibility for up to $100,000 in funding.
Accelerates women-led technology companies through mentorship, leadership coaching, business gap analysis, and pitch preparation, providing access to networks, subject matter experts, and support to help founders grow and scale their businesses.
Learn more →16-week accelerator program for established small businesses in Los Angeles, free with no equity, focused on underrepresented business owners.
Learn more →10-week virtual accelerator for early-stage LA-based startups, focused on underrepresented entrepreneurs. Free with no equity taken.
Learn more →9-week cohort-based accelerator for women entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. Delivered primarily via Zoom with 2 hours/week of structured classroom content and culminates in a capstone pitch presentation. Part of Hera Hub's spa-inspired female-focused coworking and business acceleration ecosystem.
Learn more →Accelerates early-stage ventures developing medical, digital health, and biotech solutions to address health challenges in Los Angeles, offering mentorship, strategic guidance, ecosystem connections, and non-dilutive funding to improve community health and equity.
Learn more →Provides equitable access to business assistance, resources, and entrepreneurial opportunities for startups and small business owners in Central California, helping them launch, sustain, and scale their ventures through a business accelerator and resource center.
Learn more →A city/county-funded workforce development initiative managed by REDF connecting Los Angeles workforce agencies with employment social enterprises. Helps individuals overcoming barriers to employment (homelessness, justice involvement) gain jobs, on-the-job training, and wraparound support services. ESEs provide paid transitional work while participants receive case management, childcare/transportation assistance, and job placement support. Funded by CA Employment Development Department and WIOA.
Learn more →UC Davis College of Engineering's flagship 12-week early-stage cohort accelerator for undergraduate students with a startup idea. Twelve top teams meet weekly, receive mentorship from a curated mentor network, attend guest lectures from industry leaders and VCs, and gain access to seed capital. Culminates in PLASMA Demo Day where teams pitch to investors and can earn tens of thousands of dollars in prize funding. Industry-agnostic; open to all UC Davis undergrads.
Learn more →Free 4-month accelerator for U.S.-based ocean and freshwater technology startups, funded by $13.5M from NOAA. Offers two tracks: Launch (TRL 0–3, early stage) and Scale (TRL 3+, up to $200K non-dilutive funding). Provides entrepreneurship training, mentorship, technical facilities, and culminates in Demo Day at TMA Blue Tech Week. 22 startups supported, $10.1M raised, 50% female-founded.
Learn more →16-week equity-free pre-seed accelerator for female founders. Provides hands-on mentorship, funding preparation, and business development support across all industries. Offered by Stella Foundation (founded 2012 by Silvia Mah), which has supported thousands of women entrepreneurs globally. Includes 300+ educational modules and 100+ worksheets.
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