Accelerator
Applications for the 2023 Accelerator are closed! Learn more about the 2023 cohort.
The purpose of the Accelerator is to provide Fellow Founders with the capital, connections, and coaching to solve their most pressing venture problems. For three months, Venture For America offers a zero-equity program that provides a $2,500 monthly business stipend, access to a network of peers, mentors, subject matter experts, and investors, and a chance to win up to $10,000 in prize money at an in-person Demo Day.
PROGRAM FORMAT
The three months focus on providing you with the networks and resources to remove a key barrier you are facing in one to two of these primary areas: product, growth, operations, legal, and finance. With the assistance of an entrepreneur-in-residence and advisor, Founders will be able to identify areas of growth, develop an actionable plan to address issues, and leverage the VFA network when needed. Each of the 12 weeks allows for flexibility, but holds a rough structure that requires between two to four hours of programmed time and weekly 1:1s with your EIR, and time with advisor as needed. After the three-month program, Fellow Founders will be able to:
leverage an advisor to address those barriers
make clear asks
access resources to address their venture problems
SELECTION CRITERIA
Applications are open to all graduating Fellows and all Alumni
Company must be in the market validation phase (i.e. has already validated the problem and has created, or will have created, a minimum viable product by the time the accelerator starts)
Company must be full time at the start of the Accelerator
At least one Founder must participate fully for the entirety of the program
Fellow Founders must be in good standing with Venture For America
2023 SELECTION TIMELINE:
May 22: Applications Launch
June 12: Application Deadline:
June 23 Offer Extended
June 30: Offer Acceptance Deadline
Reach out to launch@ventureforamerica.org with questions.
HOW TO SUBMIT A STRONG APPLICATION
Be clear
Please be extremely clear and direct in the language you are using – we prefer clarity over buzzwords.
Use numbers and metrics
Whenever you can, please use exact numbers or metrics. Please avoid using vague terms like “a few.”
Give us context
Each application receives two reads in the final round. So, for many of the reviewers, it is the first time learning about your business. Give us context! Explain terminology. Define the metrics you’re using.
Many applications struggle to define the problem well. While being concise, please be clear about what the problem is, who it is affecting, and how your business solves that problem. Have someone who is unfamiliar with your business review your answers to the “Business Basics” portion of the application.
Be honest
We’re not here to judge your progress! Rather, the more honest you are with us, the better we are both able to judge fit for the program. Remember – you are also here to see if this is a good fit for your business.
