A look at some of the biggest accelerators and incubators in the area.
CEDARS-SINAI ACCELERATOR
LOCATION: West Hollywood
YEAR OPENED: 2016
INDUSTRY OF FOCUS: Health technology
TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES SERVED: 80
The Cedars-Sinai Accelerator offers a three-month program for companies to get mentorship from Cedars-Sinai researchers, administrators and clinicians, plus a $100,000 investment, to advance their technology and products. Around 10 companies are in each cohort and are embedded within the Cedars medical center, with access to guidance from up to 200 practitioners who can help company leaders refine the practical applications of their products.
Its current cohort including Carlsbad-based RCE Technologies Inc. and San Diego-based Cari Health. To date, companies enrolled in the Cedars-Sinai accelerator have raised about $650 million in funding.
DISNEY ACCELERATOR
LOCATION: Glendale
YEAR OPENED: 2014
INDUSTRY OF FOCUS: Direct-to-consumer services and marketplaces
TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES SERVED: 59
The Disney Accelerator works with early-stage companies in the consumer media, entertainment and technology sectors. Participating companies receive investment capital, access to co-working space at Disney’s creative campus and mentorship and guidance from Disney executives. The Disney accelerator previously invested $120,000 in each company, but the organization removed this investment cap in 2016. Its current cohort includes Santa Monica-based web3 social app FlickPlay and e-commerce platform Obsess Inc.
STARBURST AEROSPACE
LOCATION: El Segundo
YEAR OPENED: 2012
INDUSTRY OF FOCUS: Aerospace
TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES SERVED: More than 250
Starburst’s accelerator takes on startups looking to advance technology in the aviation, space and defense sectors. The El Segundo-based organization currently has a portfolio of more than 140 aerospace companies, including Hawthorne-based Surf Air Mobility Inc. and Long Beach-based Rocket Lab USA Inc. and El Segundo-based hyperspectral imaging company Pixxel. Starburst operates eight global offices and works with over 60 corporate and government partners, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Lockheed Martin Corp., the U.S. Space Force and Northrop Grumman Corp.
MUCKERLAB
LOCATION: Santa Monica
YEAR OPENED: 2011
INDUSTRY OF FOCUS: All industries
TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES SERVED: About 100
MuckerLab serves as the startup accelerator program for Santa Monica-based venture capital firm Glenmont Mucker Management, which does business as Mucker Capital. Graduates of the accelerator include Glendale-based home services industry software developer ServiceTitan Inc. and downtown-based e-commerce coupon finder Honey Science Corp.
MuckerLab invests in about 10 to 20 companies each year, with a focus on pre-seed companies, and said that 97% of its startups have raised outside capital. Mucker Capital founders Erik Rannala and William Hsu started the accelerator in 2011 with an interest in helping companies revamp their business strategies and increase their opportunities in the market. MuckerLab typically invests between $100,000 and $175,000 in exchange for a 10% to 15% equity stake.
PRECCELERATOR PROGRAM
LOCATION: Santa Monica
YEAR OPENED: 2013
INDUSTRY OF FOCUS: Agnostic, with a focus on technology
TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES SERVED: 55
The Preccelerator Program was founded by Sherman Oaks-based law firm Stubbs Alderton & Markiles LLP in 2013. Its six month program offers capital investment, a co-working space in Santa Monica, access to more than 100 mentors and services like pitch practicing and fundraising strategy meetings.
Preccelerator works with early-stage companies across all industries, though it has a specific interest in technology. Enrolled companies are eligible for $25,000 of investment in the form of legal service credits as well as “perks and credits” from partners like Google LLC and HubSpot.
SCIENCE INC.
LOCATION: Santa Monica
YEAR OPENED: 2011
INDUSTRY OF FOCUS: Direct-to-consumer services and marketplaces
TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES SERVED: 140
Science Inc. is a venture capital firm and incubator that focuses on direct-to-consumer brands, though it has branched out into businesses within the media, food and beverage, financial technology and esports sectors. Its portfolio includes Santa Monica-based grooming subscription service Dollar Shave Club Inc., Culver City-based underwear brand MeUndies Inc., Santa Monica-based canned water brand Liquid Death and Sawtelle-based esports organization Play Versus. Science, which has seen more than $2 billion in exits, invests in early-stage companies and incubates them by offering mentorship and access to its facilities.
