Helping founders find community and connections
The University of California's leading startup accelerator, selecting ~20 of the most promising UC-affiliated startups each semester (Fall and Spring). A zero-equity, 3-month program using Lean Startup methodology, taught by UC Berkeley Haas faculty. Teams win up to $60K in prize money, are paired with serial entrepreneur mentors, and build investor-ready companies. Must have at least 1 UC student, alumni, faculty, or staff member.
Ranked #1 U.S. accelerator by MIT/Rice University's Seed Accelerator Rankings Project. A highly selective seed-stage accelerator in San Francisco and New York, accepting ~15 teams twice per year from ~2,000+ applicants. The 10-week intensive program covers product-market fit, target market definition, first validation, and investor meeting preparation. Has launched 150+ companies with $1.8B total funding raised. Portfolio includes Postmates, Buffer, Periscope Data, DroneDeploy, and 3 unicorns.
Learn more →Supports entrepreneurs and startups developing dual-use technologies through mentorship, resources, and collaboration with the Department of Defense, universities, and federal labs to refine innovations and scale businesses. Offers extensive support for navigating SBIR/STTR programs and securing government contracts.
Learn more →Empowers entrepreneurs with tools, mentorship, and community to grow for-profit businesses, offering a focused curriculum, workshops, networking, and investment opportunities, culminating in a Demo Day pitch event for investors. No equity or tuition required.
Learn more →Provides free consulting and training to new and existing businesses, offering expertise in areas like accounting, marketing, funding, government contracting, and business operations through a network of service locations and outreach centers.
Learn more →Offers a free 10-week entrepreneurship boot camp for the CSUB and Kern County community, providing guidance from faculty and industry experts on venture creation, technology, marketing, financials, and legal essentials.
Learn more →A semester-based incubator program for founders aged 18+ to accelerate innovative ideas into reality. Through a semester course curriculum, students explore all steps to creating a startup: technical assistance, physical co-working space, subject matter expert and advisor sessions, and access to entrepreneurial resources. Also includes Youth Innovators Lab for ages 16–18. Past cohort graduates include smart business card companies and zero-waste product startups.
Learn more →Offers Cal Poly students and recent alumni a 12-week summer program to develop business models, receive mentorship, seed funding, and entrepreneurial training to launch scalable startups.
Learn more →Acts as a hub supporting small business start-ups, fostering innovation, and developing a skilled workforce through training, mentorship, and collaboration with local organizations to drive community transformation.
Learn more →A non-equity community program for startups ready to scale that do not need investment from Expert Dojo. Includes monthly high-level training videos from experts, monthly AMA sessions with Dojo experts, exclusive perks and discounts, growth tracking, and complimentary tickets to Expert Dojo events. Top performers may transition into the Investment Program and receive referrals to outside VCs and investors.
Learn more →Expert Dojo's core accelerator and venture investment program for pre-seed and seed startups. Invests $50K–$100K (SAFE notes) for 3.5%–7% equity. Provides Monday Accountability Sessions, Monthly Mastermind sessions (4/month), weekly expert training videos, warm introductions to VCs and investors, and Quarterly Demo Days. Over 260+ startups invested since 2018. Ranked among most active pre-seed investors in U.S. after Techstars and Y Combinator. Portfolio companies have raised an average of $3.7M. Focus on minority- and female-founded tech companies.
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