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Please provide a list of tech accelerator programs in San Francisco, including links to their website and how to submit an application.
Hello, and thank you for your request for a list of tech accelerator or incubator programs in San Francisco. The most useful sources were the individual accelerator websites. In short, we have found twelve accelerator in the region that are accepting applications currently or will be in the near future. Matter, an accelerator focused on media companies, is most closely aligned with your company. I have compiled the list below, along with links to each website and details for submitting an application.
SAN FRANCISCO TECH ACCELERATOR PROGRAMS
Matter runs programs in both New York and San Francisco. Matter, according to their website, supports "media entrepreneurs building a more informed, connected, and empowered society." Their program lasts for 20 weeks and is highly collaborative. Matter begins with a one-week bootcamp and there are design reviews at the end of each month. Matter is currently accepting applications. They outline their process here. Applications are open until April 3rd, after which select applicants pitch to the Matter team. Next applicants create a mini-project and sometime in April or May finalists are selected.
Orange Fab is a "3-month accelerator program searching for startups with existing products who are looking for growth and distribution opportunities." There are 4 media and entertainment startups companies profiled on their website. Programs run every three to six months and they are currently accepting applications for Season 8. Applications may be submitted through the link on their home page.
Ranked one of the top incubators by Forbes and Inc., Founders Space is accepting applications to their San Francisco and Shanghai programs. The website says their 2-week program is "extremely intensive" and "up to 4 founders from your startup can attend." The on-site program includes mentoring, workshops, lectures, group sessions and more. Pitch day is at the end of the 2-week session. Members may attend Founders Space events in San Francisco for up to one year after completion of the program. The program also includes a "3-month Online Incubator Program, with hundreds of pieces of content, including videos, business lessons and startup materials."
UpWest invests in 10-12 startups, in a variety of stages, over the course the year, with the goal of creating long-term partnerships. They look for companies that have a "desire to set up their business operations in the US and hit the ground running." Their website identifies either February or September as "the most effective months for arrival to the Silicon Valley." They work with entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries including software, IoT, AI, Marketplaces, and more. Email info@upwestlabs.com to set up a meeting with the partners.
AngelPad works with seed-stage companies, selecting around 12 new teams every 6 months. Their applicant pool is usually around 2,000 for each cohort, and each program is three months long. MIT and Brown University names AngelPad "the #1 Accelerator in the U.S." and they have been called the "anti-Y Combinator." The accelerator had invested in more than 130 companies over a wide variety of industries and has been in operation since 2010. AngelPad is not a traditional program with mentors. According to their website, the two AngelPad founders "work alongside the startup founders every day." They also have an extensive list of "Friends of AngelPad." Apply to AngelPad using this link.
Launch runs three sessions each year, in which they select 6-8 startups. The program is 12 intensive weeks, after which products are launched at a Launch event. According to their website, Launch looks for "founders who are executing at an extremely high level in markets that are important...world-class product design, growth strategies, and technical execution -- said simply, people with skills." Applicants must have a "minimum viable product," as the company does "not invest in business plans, decks or ideas." The application deadline for the spring 2017 session is April 10, with classes beginning May 18. The application can be found here. The next program will be in the fall.
Accelerator Ventures invests in early stage technology companies. According to their website, portfolio members "benefit from our help with financing strategy, business development, customer introductions, and recruiting and management team development." Their website provides a contact form, but they say "the most effective way to contact us is through an introduction or referral by someone in our network." The list of team members and companies currently in the portfolio may help with that networking.
Boost VC, located in San Mateo, focuses on blockchain, virtual reality and technology. They say on their website that they "want to pick the best people over anything and tend to lean toward founders working on technology that you would find in a Science Fiction book." Since 2012 they have invested in more than 160 startups. Their program offers relational, financial and intellectual capital to its members. Boost runs two, 3-month programs (they call them Tribes) of about 20 companies each year and the next round of applications opens on April 21. This link is to their mailing list, which will send out a notification when the application process opens.
The Alchemist Accelerator website says it is "exclusively for founders whose revenue comes from enterprises," not consumers. They say that "'B2B' (e.g. Salesforce) and 'B2B2C' (e.g. Square) both qualify. All business models (license, SaaS, Freemium) are welcome. If the major revenue source for the business is from enterprises or organizations -- be them large or SMBs -- you qualify." Programs are 6 months long and are limited to 17 teams. They provide their members access to more than 50 top-ranked mentors. The next program begins August 10th, and applications may be submitted up to the time the program starts. The application can be found here.
RocketSpace has been helping startups since 2011. Their website says they offer members "programming, consulting, events, and office-as-a-service, which together create the perfect ecosystem and community for innovation to thrive." They describe themselves as "a high-quality, curated technology community that offers ultimate flexibility for a rapidly-growing tech startup." The company has three active accelerator programs, though none are currently focused on digital media. This link takes you to a sign up page where they will send you information on upcoming accelerators.
According to their website, Impact Hub is a "local community space that supports change agents working on issues from low-income student success to inclusive technology, sustainable apparel to youth art." They go on to say that the community includes "entrepreneurs, activists, creatives, and professionals taking action to drive positive social, economic and environmental change." They offer access to the region's local impact community as well as access to more than 85 global Hub locations. Membership is offered at a variety of monthly rates, depending on individual requirements. There is an option for dedicated desks and offices as well. Impact appears to be designed for companies based in San Francisco.
SOSV's HAX Boost accelerator is a hardware accelerator for companies looking to expand the reach of their on-the-market products. They select 50 teams each year The program is "42 days of intense selling" focused on "channel optimization, online sales, offline sales, logistics," according to the website. The application deadline is May 1 and the application can be found here.
CONCLUSION
To sum it up, Matter is a San Francisco based accelerator focused on media companies and Orange Fab has a history of investing in startups similar to yours. Applications for Matter's next session are due April 8th and Orange Fab is currently accepting early applications for its next program. In addition to these two, I have provided information on 10 other accelerators in the San Francisco area. A typical Wonder list contains ten items. Should you like us to look for additional accelerators in the San Francisco area, you can submit another request and we'll be happy to help you with that.
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