Startup School: the Xconomy Guide to Venture Incubators, 2011 Edition Erin Kutz, 7/26/11

Buyer: Erin Kutz ([email protected]) Transaction ID: jg-lozuvk3892078e6

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Xconomy.com Startup School: The Xconomy Guide to Venture Incubators, 2011 Edition Erin Kutz, 7/26/11

Xconomy started with the aim of more than desks, WiFi, and casual startups. While the number of com- identifying areas of explosive growth mentorship to be included on our list. panies they nurture is smaller, this in business and innovation. Well, we breed of incubator plays an important were on to something when we first The boom in incubators can be seen role in launching companies. introduced the Xconomy Guide to as both organic and planned. This Venture Incubators in 2009. year, local and national governments It’s worth noting that several of the started paying more attention to incubators focus on specific sectors, That first year we included 20 pro- startup creation and growth. You can like cleantech (CleanLaunch, Green- grams on our list. Last year that see that with programs like President start, and NYC ACRE), life sciences number bumped up to 34. And this Obama’s Startup America Partner- (Accelerator, Downstate, Blueprint year, we have identified a whopping ship, and the slew of incubators that Health, and QB3), health IT (Rock- 64 programs across the U.S. that we the city of New York has funded or Health), and gaming (Joystick Labs). count as startup incubators, even after helped launch. Boulder, CO-based dropping seven from last year’s list. TechStars announced it was offering Several incubators included in previ- (Entries marked in green are new.) a template for other programs looking ous guides expanded to new cities: to use its model, through what’s we’ve tracked these as well. Mean- With previous incubator guides, called the TechStars Network. while, we included new programs in we’ve noted that many entrepreneurs emerging tech hubs like New York, have a desire for strong community This Network includes several incu- and in cities less known for their and mentorship while building their bators listed in previous guides (like startup community, like Greenville, companies. To that end, some of the Providence, RI-based Betaspring), SC, and Bloomington, IN. programs in this guide offer a boot- but it has also resulted in the addition camp–style environment and culmi- of more than 10 new incubators to As mentioned, we’ve added 37 new nate in a big day of presentations to our list. Some, like Tampa Bay, FL- programs this year, and removed potential investors. Others charge for based Gazelle Lab, got their start this seven that were either defunct, rolled workspace, but offer educational pro- year; others, like Launchpad LA, into other initiatives, or evolved to gramming, networking, technology, have been around for a few years but function more like funds than incuba- and various services to resident en- had previously escaped our radar. tors. Summer@Highland, on hiatus trepreneurs. Many take equity in the in 2010, is back this year, and another startups they nurture, and others offer We also opened this year’s guide to from last year, Bootup Labs, is on grants and loans with no strings at- programs like Seattle-based Accel- pause but hoping to return soon. All tached. Some have strong ties to uni- erator. Such groups provide longer- programs are listed alphabetically, versities and are on college cam- term support and bigger checks (think with a state index on the last page. puses. This range of programs is $3 to 4 million) to a smaller group of what we’ve sought to capture in this startups than the more common So enjoy this year’s guide. And please year’s guide. Whatever the form, TechStars or Y Combinator model of let us know about any additions or though, we’ve held firm to the re- offering roughly $20,000 and a few corrections you think are warranted quirement that incubators must offer months’ training to a dozen or more ([email protected]). ! XCONOMY.COM 1

© 2011 Xconomy, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. XCONOMY is a registered service mark of Xconomy, Inc. Buyer: Erin Kutz ([email protected]) Transaction ID: jg-lozuvk3892078e6

! ! ! 500 Startups http://500startups.com/accelerator/

Location: Mountain View, CA Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per year: Varies Investment/stipend: $25,000 to $100,000 Equity stake required: Around 5 percent Application info: Applications are invitation only Application deadline: Not disclosed Past and current companies: Baydin, BugHerd, LaunchBit, Punchd, Rewardli, Snapette, Spoondate, Vayable, Zerply, and more Self-description: "The 500 Startups Accelerator experiments with early-stage startup formulas for explosive growth with a mixture of up to $100K in funding, superhuman mentors & designers in residence, platform- specific strategies for customer acquisition, a creative workspace and more..." Xconomy coverage: "488 To Go? Dave McClure’s 500 Startups Unveils New Incubator With 12 Startups," February 20, 2011 http://www.xconomy.com/san-francisco/2011/02/10/488-to-go-dave-mcclures-500-startups-unveils-new- incubator-with-12-startups/

Accelerator http://www.acceleratorcorp.com/

Location: Seattle, WA Founded: 2003 Teams accepted per year: Varies Investment/stipend: Between $3 million and $4 million Equity stake required: Not disclosed Application info: E-mail an executive summary to [email protected] Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Oncofactor, Acylin Therapeutics, XORI, Groove Biopharma, Allozyne, Integrated Diagnostics, Theraclone Sciences, VLST, and more Self-description: "Accelerator Corporation, founded in 2003, is a vehicle for disciplined and efficient investment in and management of emerging biotechnology opportunities. Located in Seattle, Washington, the company identifies, evaluates, finances, and manages ground-breaking emerging life sciences opportunities. The company has established and built a largely proprietary array of sources of deal flow, as well as a key set of resources to bring to bear in the development of the best opportunities emerging from those sources. These key resources, provided by Accelerator and its Affiliates—Amgen Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, OVP Venture Partners, PPD, Inc., WRF Capital, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., and the Institute for Systems Biology—include committed investment capital, state-of-the-art facilities, world-class scientific and technical expertise and support, and experienced start-up management." Xconomy coverage: "An Accelerator, By Any Other Name…Does Not Smell as Sweet," August 11, 2008 http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2008/08/11/an-accelerator-by-any-other-namedoes-not-smell-as-sweet/ "Accelerator Slowed Down in 2009, Expects to Rev Back Up in 2010," January 27, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2010/01/27/accelerator-slowed-down-in-2009-expects-to-rev-back-up-in-2010/

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! ! ! AlphaLab (member of the TechStars Network) http://www.alphalab.org/

Location: Pittsburgh, PA Founded: 2008 Teams accepted per year: 12 (2 classes of 6) Investment/stipend: $25,000 Equity stake required: 5 percent Application info: http://alphalab.org/survey_overview.aspx Application deadline: April 4 (in 2011, future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: AJAX Street, BlenderHouse, Black Locus, Chogger, Fooala, LeftRight Studios, The Resumator, Skill-Life, and more Self-description: "AlphaLab is the startup accelerator created by Innovation Works to help capital-efficient startup companies launch quickly and successfully. Twice a year up to six companies in the software, web, mobile, entertainment technology, or hardware space are selected to participate in an intensive 20-week program. During these weeks companies will rapidly iterate on their products and work with mentors, advisors, and the AlphaLab team to hone their business models. The program culminates in the AlphaLab Demo Day: a chance for companies to pitch what they’ve been working on to angel investors, VCs, and press outlets from around the nation."

AngelPad http://angelpad.org/

Location: San Francisco, CA Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per year: Up to 30 (2 classes of 15) Investment/stipend: $20,000 Equity stake required: A small amount of common stock, according to AngelPad website Application info: http://angelpad.org/more/ Application deadline: May 1 (for summer 2011, future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Adku, Crittercism, EggCartel, Hopscotch, LocBox, RollCall, and more Self-description: "AngelPad is a mentorship program founded by a team of ex-Googlers to help technology startups build better products, attract seed funding and grow more successful businesses. Twice a year, we provide an extensive mentorship program to carefully selected startups, during the course of 10 weeks, in our San Francisco office. Companies typically receive $20,000 in exchange for a small amount of common shares. The 10 weeks program covers all aspects of a company launch—from idea to product, market fit, customer acquisition and fundraising. We also take care of the less glamorous things like incorporation, immigration visas or setting up books. A strong em- phasis is also put on helping founders to prepare for demo day, which occurs towards the end of each program and allows companies to present their idea/vision/product to several hundred investors. During the course of the program, we also receive guest speakers and host several events as different as intensive "angel days" and relaxed min- gling happy hours. The program does not end at demo day though. Mentors are extremely involved in helping startups in their fundraising efforts. All founders also become part the AngelPad alumni network." Xconomy coverage: "At AngelPad Demo Night, Ex-Googlers Share Plans to Overhaul the Web," November 11, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/san-francisco/2010/11/11/at-angelpad-demo-night-ex-googlers-share-plans-to- overhaul-the-web/ "‘Changing the Way We Start Companies’: Q&A with AngelPad's Thomas Korte," November 15, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/san-francisco/2010/11/15/changing-the-way-we-start-companies-qa-with-angelpads-thomas-korte/ XCONOMY.COM 3

! ! ! Ann Arbor SPARK Incubator Network http://www.annarborusa.org/business-accelerator

Location: Ann Arbor, MI; Ypsilanti, MI; and Plymouth, MI Founded: 2007 Teams accepted per year: Varies depending on the facility and the stay of each company Investment/stipend: Up to $50,000 in consulting and business development services Equity stake required: None Application info: http://www.annarborusa.org/business-accelerator/consulting-services/business-idea-submission Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: 3D Biomatrix, Advanced Battery Concepts, bridgeSpeak, ERT Systems, INVIA, LearningBridge, Local Orbit, MemCatch, Surgimatix, TerraSeer, and more Self-description: "The SPARK Business Accelerator does exactly what the name implies: it speeds up the development of start-ups in the region with a variety of valuable services. It is an exceptional business resource designed to shorten the time required to attract capital, customers, or other resources. Building a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment is all about working together and sharing a vision. Whether you need business introductions, site selection assistance or the basics of how to start a business, Ann Arbor USA has the resources you need. Unique services designed to mentor and accelerate start-up businesses are available through the SPARK Business Accelerator. We encourage you to take advantage of the many free and low-cost resources available to help the development of your innovation-based business start-up. All of the programs and services outlined below are available through Ann Arbor SPARK." Xconomy coverage: "Five Companies Picked To Slug it Out for Ann Arbor SPARK Incubator Space," May 24, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/detroit/2010/05/24/five-companies-picked-to-slug-it-out-for-ann-arbor-spark- incubator-space/

Ansir Innovation Center http://aicenterca.com/

Location: San Diego, CA Founded: January 2011 Teams accepted per year: 10 to 20 Investment/stipend: Varies, seed funding to Series A Equity stake required: 3 percent to 8 percent on average Application info: http://aicenterca.com/apply Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Cognionics and EcoLayers Self-description: "Ansir Innovation Center (a.k.a. AI Center) is a start-up accelerator focused on incubation, commercialization, and globalization of local innovations. Beyond office, industrial, and lab space, we offer mentorship and access to business and investor resources to assist startups to achieve success faster. AI Center provides practical solutions for start-ups to accelerate; this includes series of workshops, programs, hackathons that educate startups. We also offer a unique venture manufacturing (VM) model where we invest manufacturing capital to hardware startups coupled with venture capital."

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! ! ! Austin Technology Incubator http://ati.utexas.edu/

Location: Austin, TX Founded: 1989 Teams accepted per year: 5 to10 Investment/stipend: None, ATI offers guidance and infrastructure support Equity stake required: None Application info: http://ati.utexas.edu/entrepreneurs/apply/application Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Amatra, Ravel, Omni Water Solutions, NanoLite Systems, Xeris, ihiji, Eonsil, So- lavicta, and more Self-description: "The Austin Technology Incubator harnesses business, government and academic resources to provide strategic counsel, operational guidance, and infrastructure support to its member companies to help them transition into successful, high growth technology businesses. Since its founding in 1989, ATI has worked with over 200 companies, helping them raise over $750 million in investor capital. Over the past three years of the "Great Recession," ATI has incubated over 50 companies and helped them raise over $70 million in investor capital; during that same 3 year period, ATI alumni companies realized over $300 million in exit value. Roughly 75% of companies admitted into ATI membership subsequently receive funding. ATI is a program of the IC" Institute of The University of Texas at Austin. It has a dual mission: promote economic development in Central Texas through entrepreneurial wealth and job creation, and provide a "teaching laboratory" in applied entrepreneurship for UT-Austin students. ATI works closely with other commercially-focused and business-building programs at The University."

Berkeley Ventures http://www.berkeleyventures.com/

Location: Berkeley, CA Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: Flexible Investment/stipend: Seed money is available for select companies Equity stake required: Between 3 percent and 9 percent Application info: http://www.berkeleyventures.com/apply Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Proxpur Labs, Blaze Mobile, Shastic, CodeEval, Power2Switch, FI Info Net, WAPIS, Virtual Labs, and more Self-description: "Berkeley Ventures is an accelerator which helps serious entrepreneurs bring their innovations to the world. We are focused on helping startups in sectors including, but not limited to, internet, software, mobile, clean energy, and gaming. We offer access to mentors and advisors, introductions to investors, incubator space, connections to local talent/resources, and a year round program to help these companies grow. We are currently accepting applications for companies that are seeking mentorship and seed funding."

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! ! ! BEST (NYU-Poly) http://www.poly.edu/business/incubators/best/resources

Location: Brooklyn, NY Founded: 2004 Teams accepted per year: Varies. NYU-Poly accepts 10 to 30 companies across its incubator network of BEST, DUMBO, NYC ACRE, and Varick Street Investment/stipend: None. Companies based on NYU-Poly intellectual property receive space and services at low or no cost. A license agreement must be in place. Other companies pay a higher rate of $300 per month to access the space and services such as marketing and commercialization assistance, funding recommendations, and administrative services. Equity stake required: None Application info: http://www.poly.edu/business/incubators/apply Application deadline: Rolling, leases are typically around six months Past and current companies: August Ninth Analyses, ChromoSense, NIRx Medical Technologies, Polytechnic Design Seminar, Transcendent Enterprise, Zignage, and more Self-description: "BEST breeds blossoming firms, helping them to survive and grow during the start-up period when they are most vulnerable. BEST’s (Brooklyn Enterprise on Science and Technology) mission is to provide an educational environment that stimulates the establishment and growth of science- and technology-based startup and spin-off companies. We expand Brooklyn's existing industry base and attract high technology industry to the region in order to create jobs and enhance economic development. BEST provides: full-service marketing and a sales network, intellectual property commercialization, guidance with developing business plans, access to business advisors and NYU-Poly professors, funding recommendations, networking opportunities, access to patent attorneys, and a student patent program."

Betaspring (member of the TechStars Network) http://www.betaspring.com/

Location: Providence, RI Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: 8 to 12 Investment/stipend: Up to $20,000 in seed capital Equity stake required: 6 percent to 10 percent of common stock Application info: http://betaspring.com/apply Application deadline: April 1 (in 2011, future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: DiJiPOP, NuLabel Technologies, Manpacks, Accelereach, Leotus, Feed My Future, Tracelytics, and more Self-description: "Betaspring is a Providence-based mentorship-driven startup accelerator program for young technology and design entrepreneurs who are ready to build a product, launch a company, and change the world. Competitive entrepreneurial teams from around the world come to Providence, RI, for our intensive twelve week program. During these twelve weeks, we help teams transform themselves into functional, fundable companies by providing mentorship, kickoff funding, and immersion in an intense startup community of like-minded entrepreneurs. At the end of the program teams have the opportunity to present their company to investors from the Bos- ton, New York corridor during our Demo Day event."

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! ! ! Xconomy coverage: "Betaspring Unveils First Class of Startup Groups in Providence, Plans Micro-Seed Fund Akin to Y Combinator," August 28, 2009 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/08/28/betaspring-unveils-first-class-of-startup-groups-in-providence-plans-micro- seed-fund-akin-to-y-combinator/ "How I Spent My Summer in Startup Boot Camp," September 24, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2010/09/24/how-i-spent-my-summer-in-startup-boot-camp/

Better Labs http://www.betterlabs.net/

Location: San Jose, CA Founded: 2008 Teams accepted per year: Varies Investment/stipend: None; Better Labs provides startups with product development assistance Equity stake required: Negotiable Application info: http://www.betterlabs.net/Contact-Betterlabs Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Fliptop, Inboxxed, Nichebusters, Nurture, OrderCup, Ready Contacts, Simplewall, and Voottoo Self-description: "Better creates products to address large market opportunities via an unique process of early bootstrapped incubation and customer development with a focus on getting to the first $500k in revenues without venture financing. We believe this forces a disciplined approach to refining product as well as customer acquisition strategy. BetterLabs is our core incubation team that is made of a combination of software engineers, server engineers, social media analysts, search engine optimization experts, designers and inside sales analysts. We work with our own product ideas as well as with select early stage founders who leverage our unique model to create their minimum viable product and validate their market opportunity. Better is led by Vaibhav Domkundwar and is privately held with offices in San Jose, California and Pune, India."

Blueprint Health (member of the TechStars Network) http://www.blueprinthealth.org/

Location: New York, NY Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per year: 20 (2 sessions of 10) Investment/stipend: $20,000 Equity stake required: 6 percent Application info: http://www.blueprinthealth.org/index.php?page=application Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: None yet; Blueprint has not graduated its first class Self-description: "Blueprint Health is a health and wellness startup accelerator based in New York City. Our mentor network is made up of over 60 successful health entrepreneurs, investors, and executives. We offer an intensive three-month program and provide $20,000 of seed capital, extensive industry specific mentorship and a shared work environment."

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! ! ! Bizdom U http://www.bizdom.com/

Location: Detroit, MI, and Cleveland, OH Founded: 2007 Entrepreneurs accepted per year: 40 (2 sessions of 20) Investment/stipend: $10,000 plus $4,500 per founder Equity stake required: 8 percent Application info: http://www.bizdom.com/apply Application deadline: August 5 (for fall 2011 Detroit session; future deadlines TBA); August 19 (for fall 2011 Cleveland session; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Launch Learning Group, Dermanaut, JimmyKicks, Circa1837, Wedit, Campus- Commandos, and CoreMerchant Self-description: "Bizdom is an entrepreneurship accelerator. We train, mentor and fund aspiring entrepreneurs to launch innovative, growth-oriented startups in Detroit and Cleveland through two distinct programs: the Idea Generator and Launch Labs. Idea Generator Great ideas are a dime a dozen. But most people don’t know how to take their idea and turn it into a well developed, client focused business concept. That’s where we come in. We will train you on how to break down your idea and turn it into a business or to go back to the drawing board if the model doesn’t prove out. Training is offered two—3 nights a week, and 1 or 2 Saturdays over an 8-week period. By the end of the training, as- suming your business model proves out, you have the opportunity to pitch for seed funding from the Bizdom Fund and launch your business in the Launch Labs accelerator. Entrepreneurs who have a well developed, client focused, scalable business idea and are ready to build the demo, prototype or full fledged business can pitch for an opportunity to join Launch Labs. During the 3 months, you’ll launch your business in a collaborative incubator, receive relevant training in Sales, Marketing & Business, and get real time coaching and feedback from seasoned business experts, entrepreneurs, sales, marketing and technology experts. At the end of the program, we’ll put you in a room with multiple investors to pitch for the funding necessary to blow up your business to the next level."

BoomStartup (member of the TechStars Network) http://www.boomstartup.com/

Location: Orem, UT, and Salt Lake City, UT Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per year: 10 Investment/stipend: Up to $15,000 Equity stake required: About 6 percent Application info: http://www.boomstartup.com/apply/ Application deadline: Early deadline March 10, final deadline April 18 (in 2011; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: 3PointData, Bazari, Case Rover, The Fashion Genome Project, IActionable, Mash- Worx, O-Codes, CircleFive, FaceTags, VuTherapy, and more Self-description: "BoomStartup is a mentorship-focused investor program focusing its efforts on providing money, mentors, and markets for its energetic tech entrepreneur participants. We mentor tech startups from idea- tion through execution. "The purpose of BoomStartup is to help great tech ideas find an optimal business model, create a minimal viable product that is revenue-ready, execute into revenue generation, and then make connections to customers and investors. The goal is that the companies at the end of the summer program will warrant investment from angel investors, venture capitalists, and banks. BoomStartup’s mentors have included founders and key individuals from companies including Omniture, Cisco, Skull Candy, Altiris, and many more."

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! ! ! Bootup Labs http://bootuplabs.com/ [Note: The program has no plans for accepting a new cohort at this time, but its website indicates that may change in the future. Information below is based on the 2010 program.]

Location: Vancouver, BC Founded: 2008 Teams accepted per year: Up to 12 Investment/stipend: Up to $100,000 line of credit, convertible to equity Equity stake required: 5 percent, plus another 10 percent for companies that use up their line of credit Application info: http://bootuplabs.com/apply Application deadline: Bootup accepts up to 6 companies each for its January and May cohorts; admissions are rolling. Past and current companies: AdHack, Layerboom, Compass Engine, Foodtree, Summify, Dimerocker, Contractu- ally, and Letsgofordinner.com Self-description: "Bootup Labs is a hybrid startup accelerator and seed fund in Vancouver, BC that helps founders take their ideas "from concept to company." Bootup Labs recruits promising entrepreneurs and provides mentorship and financing to help define their business and secure venture financing. Our eight month program is designed to help you get to the next level with your company. Bootup Labs has invested in, and mentored 8 companies between January 2009 and January 2010."

Brandery (member of the TechStars Network) http://brandery.org/

Location: Cincinnati, OH Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per year: 8 Investment/stipend: $20,000 Equity stake required: 6 percent diluting warrant Application info: http://brandery.org/apply/ Application deadline: Typically June 1 Past and current companies: Giftiki, Idea Rally, LifeBlinx, turboBOTZ, VenturePax, VenueAgent, and more Self-description: "The Brandery is a seed stage consumer marketing venture accelerator. We run a three-month- long program in Cincinnati, Ohio that is focused on turning your great idea into a successful, brand-driven startup. Started in 2010, we annually select 5 companies for our program, with each receiving $20,000 in seed funding, three months of mentorship, and the opportunity to pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists at the end of the program."

Capital Factory http://www.capitalfactory.com

Location: Austin, TX Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: 5 Investment/stipend: Up to $20,000, plus $20,000 in free services Equity stake required: 5 percent

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! ! ! Application info: http://www.capitalfactory.com/apply.html Application deadline: March 27 (in 2011; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: CubitPlanning, FamiGo, Hourville, petsMD, Hurricane Party, Smackages, Recy- cleMatch, Simpz, Corkshare, and more Self-description: "Capital Factory is an early stage accelerator program for tech startups that provides a small amount of seed capital and weekly mentoring sessions by entrepreneurs who have founded successful companies. Startup companies apply to participate in our 10 week summer program intended to get a startup pointed in the right direction with a clear path to profitability and growth. In 2011 the program runs from May 25th to August 11th. On September 7th, we will host more than 250 investors and entrepreneurs for Demo Day and stream it live over the Internet."

CleanLaunch Technology Incubator http://www.cleanlaunch.com/

Location: Denver, CO Founded: 2009, as a spinout from the incubator program CTEK Teams accepted per year: Varies Investment/stipend: $1,500 per month stipend, companies typically stay in the program for 6-12 months Equity stake required: Varies based on how long the company is in the program Application info: http://www.cleanlaunch.com/register_client.aspx Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: GoSmart Technologies, In2 Networks, Bye Energy, EcoVapor Recovery Systems, BiO2 Solutions, GreenGrid Partners, American Electric Vehicles, Iron Edison, and more Self-description: "Located at the heart of the Colorado cleantech community in the Center for Renewable Energy and Economic Development at the National Renewable Energy Lab, CleanLaunch's mission is to stimulate the development and success of early-stage companies who will provide the next generation of clean, renewable, and efficient energy technologies. CleanLaunch helps companies assemble solid management teams, secure adequate funding, and accelerate the commercialization of sound product ideas into the market."

CONNECT Springboard http://www.connect.org/springboard/

Location: San Diego, CA Founded: 1993 Teams accepted per year: 180 to 200 Investment/stipend: None; Springboard is a free mentoring program that gives startups access to investors through its Venture Roundtable events, and partnership with the Tech Coast Angels and individual investors Equity stake required: None; Springboard takes no stake in order to remain objective in the advice it gives companies. Application info: http://www.connect.org/connect/index.php?option=com_rsform&formId=6&Itemid=99999 Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Biomatrica, Benchmark Revenue Management, ElliptiGO, and more Self-description: "Springboard, CONNECT's flagship program, is a business creation and development program. Innovators at all stages from lab to global bridges receive hands-on mentoring by successful CEOs, CFOs and CMOs in our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Program. As part of the coaching process, CONNECT has an active cadre of more than 1,000 domain experts. This group is available to provide advice on your business model, marketing plan, financial model and projections, intellectual property, valuation, due diligence, financing, industry feedback or to provide valuable introductions to potential clients or strategic alliances."

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! ! ! Dogpatch Labs http://dogpatchlabs.com/

Location: Cambridge, MA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; and soon to be Dublin, Ireland Founded: 2008 Teams accepted per year: Varies Investment/stipend: None; benefits include office space and mentoring, though a few alumni startups have received Polaris funding. Equity stake required: None Application info: http://dogpatchlabs.com/about/ Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: AllTrails, Appjet, ArtVenue, AssuredLabor Brizzly, EGG HAUS, Localytics, LO- Lapps, TxtEagle, play140, Poken, Proper Cloth, Stickybits, Trazzler, and more Self-description: ""Dogpatch Labs was created by Polaris Venture Partners to connect entrepreneurs and help founders conceive and launch startups. We offer desk space, bandwidth, coffee and lunch to aspiring entrepreneurs. Our locations are wide-open, fun spaces that we respectively share with local startups. They are sorta like frat houses for geeks.But we are much more than a physical space—we are a community of like minded entrepreneurs who share a spirit of ‘open source entrepreneurship,’ the idea that, particularly at the very earliest of stages, we all benefit by fostering connection points between and amongst entrepreneurs and startups. Whether it is sharing space, sharing ideas, sharing referrals, networking, or just hanging out, we all thrive on the flow of ideas, people and relationships. So, in addition to a workplace, we also use the lab frequently as a meeting place—for dinner events, brown bag lunch talks, workshops, conferences, symposia and good ole’ pizza and beer nights." Xconomy coverage: "Dog Patch Lab: An Entrepreneur’s Kennel," May 26, 2009 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/05/26/dog-patch-lab-an-entrepreneurs-kennel/ "Polaris to Open Dog Patch Labs Incubator in Cambridge," September 10, 2009 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/09/10/polaris-to-open-dog-patch-labs-incubator-in-cambridge/ "Notes from Dogpatch Labs’ Housewarming Party—and a List of Initial Inhabitants," October 20, 2009 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/10/20/notes-from-dogpatch-labs%E2%80%99-housewarming-party- and-a-list-of-initial-inhabitants/ "Polaris To Open Dogpatch in Dublin, Nabs Funding From Irish National Pensions Reserve Fund." December 21, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2010/12/20/polaris-to-open-dogpatch-in-dublin-nabs-funding-from-irish- national-pensions-reserve-fund/

Downstate Biotechnology Incubators http://research.downstate.edu/Incubator.htm

Location: Brooklyn, NY Founded: 2006 Teams accepted per year: Varies Investment/stipend: Not disclosed Equity stake required: Not disclosed Application info: http://research.downstate.edu/biotech/tenant.pdf Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Apath, Biomedica Management, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, IRX Thera- peutics, MabCure, and more

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! ! ! Self-description: "Welcome to Downstate's Biotechnology initiative, a comprehensive plan to nurture biotechnology research and development in Brooklyn. SUNY Downstate Medical Center has a long history of serving the community while being at the forefront of medical discovery. Downstate is continuing this proud tradition with this bold, borough-wide biotechnology program. The cornerstone of this project is Downstate’s Biotechnology Park, which currently includes an Advanced Biotechnology Incubator for start-ups and early-stage biotech companies and a 13,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art commercial synthetic chemistry facility. Companies leasing space at these locations have convenient access to Downstate's facilities and amenities. In addition, we are working with New York City and New York State to develop biotech-related space at the Brooklyn Army Terminal (BioBAT) for expansion and manufacturing. To support this initiative, Downstate has formed the Brooklyn Biotechnology Consortium and, with Hunter College of CUNY, has a workforce development grant from the New York City Sectors Initiative for a job training program for Bioscience/Biotechnology Technicians."

DreamIt Ventures http://www.dreamitventures.com/

Location: Philadelphia, PA, and New York, NY (added in 2011) Founded: 2008 Teams accepted per year: 30 (2 sessions of 15) Investment/stipend: Up to $25,000 in seed capital ($5,000, plus $5,000 for each of up to four founding team members who will be onsite for the program) Equity stake required: 6 percent Application info: http://www.dreamitventures.com/!""#$/ Application deadline: February 28 early deadline, March 16 final deadline for New York (in 2011; future deadlines TBA). June 17 early deadline, July 8 final deadline for Philadelphia (in 2011; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Adapt.ly ClothesHorse, Dropcard, SCVNGR, NoteHall, SeatGeek, Jobaphiles, Fan- Gamb, Trendient, Mind Snacks, Take the Interview, and more Self-description: "Our goal at DreamIt is simple: Help great people with great ideas build great companies. The DreamIt founders designed DreamIt to be the startup accelerator program they wish existed when they started and sold their first companies. New startups today need only a little funding, but they need more help and support than ever before. They need a community of fellow entrepreneurs to share ideas and inspiration, technologists to join their team, mentors and coaches who have struggled on their way to a big success, legal and accounting services that don't cost precious cash, and opportunities to meet and pitch angel investors and venture capitalists. So how does DreamIt work? It all starts with bright, energetic people with great ideas. People like you. Then DreamIt adds all the help and support you need to build the next great company." Xconomy coverage: "Princeton Undergrad Brings Scavenger-Hunt Startup to Boston," October 1, 2008 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2008/10/01/princeton-undergrad-brings-scavenger-hunt-startup-to-boston/ "Y Combinator Recombined: Talking with Philadelphia Startup Incubator DreamIt Ventures," October 6, 2008 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2008/10/06/y-combinator-recombined-talking-with-philadelphia-startup- incubator-dreamit-ventures/

DUMBO (NYU-Poly) http://www.poly.edu/business/incubators/dumbo

Location: Brooklyn, NY Founded: 2011 XCONOMY.COM 12

! ! ! Teams accepted per year: Varies. NYU-Poly accepts 10 to 30 companies across its incubator network of BEST, DUMBO, NYC ACRE, and Varick Street Investment/stipend: None, companies will pay for space and services like they do at other incubators in the NYU- Poly network Equity stake required: None Application info: http://www.poly.edu/business/incubators/dumbo Application deadline: TBD Alumni companies: None yet Self-description: "Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Polytechnic Institute of New York University (NYU-Poly), and Two Trees Management today announced a new City-sponsored business incubator to support the development of technology startup businesses in Brooklyn. The DUMBO Incubator, located at 20 Jay Street—one block from Brooklyn Bridge Park—will accommodate technology entrepreneurs in the downtown Brooklyn neighborhood and across New York City over the next three years and is expected to be fully operational by fall 2011."

Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator http://eranyc.com/

Location: New York, NY Founded: 2011 Teams accepted per year: Around 20 (2 sessions of around 10) Investment/stipend: $25,000 Equity stake required: 8 percent Application info: http://eranyc.com/apply/ Application deadline: April 30 (in 2011; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: BuzzTable, Centzy, LetGive, Nabfly, numberFire, Parking Panda, Pricing Engine, Public Stuff, Sitesimon, and WebThriftStore Self-description: "Get your startup super-charged. Our combination of hands-on help, seed capital, a great co- working location, and know-how can help your company take the next step. Our operating partners and mentors are here to help answer the tactical and strategic problems your startup faces on a daily basis. We sit with you, listen to your questions and challenges and help you address them and create strategic plans going forward. We give you great mentors and access to the right investors, sales prospects and partners you need. ERA startups get access to leading members of the NY and broader tech community every day. We get approached every day by startups strug- gling to get exposure to the business partners and investors they need to connect with. ERA gives you that platform every day. Learn from an exciting group of other startups in the same boat you are. We find startups learn as much from each other as they do anywhere else. Work is great... but fun, well, it's essential. We certainly think so! So as part of the program you'll be joining us for happy hours, poker nights, a bunch of free stuff and more!"

EvoNexus http://www.commnexus.org/incubator/

Location: San Diego, CA Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: 10 to12 Investment/stipend: None; teams get office space, classes, and access to equipment, mentors, domain experts, and investors

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! ! ! Equity stake required: None Application info: http://www.commnexus.org/incubator/applicants/ Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: CRISI Medical Systems, EcoATM, Independa, IO Semiconductor, Medipacs, Mi- croPower Technologies, NewBlue, Perminova, and more Self-description: "EvoNexus is the business incubator of CommNexus, a leading non-profit high-tech trade organization based in San Diego. Our mission is to stimulate the growth of new high technology companies in our region.EvoNexus is San Diego’s only community-supported, fully pro-bono technology incubator. We provide full services – furnished office space, domain experts and mentors, and the opportunity to leverage our wide network of business and VC contacts – to start-up companies striving to achieve sustainability. And unlike many other incubators, we provide these services entirely free of charge. Our incubator companies are under no financial or IP- related obligation to EvoNexus when they graduate." Xconomy coverage: "San Diego’s Wireless Industry Establishes Startup Incubator," June 17, 2009 http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2009/06/17/san-diegos-wireless-industry-establishes-startup-incubator/ "San Diego’s EvoNexus Incubator Selects First Gaggle of Fledgling Startups," September 10, 2009 http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2009/09/10/san-diego%E2%80%99s-evonexus-selects-first-gaggle-of- fledgling-companies/ "New San Diego Incubator Adds Three More Startups on Opening Day," November 3, 2009 http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2009/11/03/new-san-diego-incubator-adds-three-more-startups-on-opening-day/

Excelerate Labs (member of the TechStars Network) http://www.exceleratelabs.com/

Location: Chicago, IL Founded: 2009, first summer class in 2010 Teams accepted per year: 10 Investment/stipend: $25,000 Equity stake required: 6 percent Application info: http://www.exceleratelabs.com/apply/ Application deadline: March 1 early deadline, March 18 final deadline (in 2011; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Buzz Referrals, Exchangery, Food Genius, EduLender, ScholarPRO, Tap Me, We- Gather, and more Self-description: "Excelerate Labs is an intensive summer accelerator for startups driven by proven entrepreneurs and investors. Led by world class entrepreneurs Sam Yagan (OKCupid, Sparknotes) and Troy Henikoff (SurePay- roll), the program is unique in attracting scores of mentors from around the country to work with the teams in direct 1-on-1 meetings. The program selects ten companies every spring to participate in the 13-week intensive summer program. Starting on June 1st, the ten companies build connections and their business during the program. The program culminates in an Investor Demo Day on August 31st, where the companies showcase their progress and plans to more than 200 angel and venture investors from around the country. Our goal is simple: We invest in the very best companies and help them reach the next level. We do that by providing capital, connections, community, and delivering on our promises."

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! ! ! Flashpoint http://flashpoint.gatech.edu/ [Note: Shotput Ventures, listed in previous incubator guides, is now part of Flashpoint at Georgia Tech]

Location: Atlanta, GA Founded: 2011 Teams accepted per year: Varies Investment/stipend: About $15,000 per startup from the Flashpoint Investment Fund Equity stake required: About 6 percent Application info: http://flashpoint.gatech.edu/apply/ Application deadline: June 15 (in 2011; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: None yet; Flashpoint’s first class will be starting this year Self-description: "Flashpoint is a startup accelerator program accepting teams at Georgia Tech. Flashpoint provides entrepreneurial education (in the form of experienced mentors and presentations by veterans), shared learning, and a competitive, accelerated environment for business model and technology development."

First Growth Venture Network http://www.firstgrowthvn.com/

Location: New York, NY Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: Up to 18 (2 sessions of up to 9) Investment/stipend: None; benefits include access to advisors, mentors, investors. Equity stake required: None Application info: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB229CPX92632 Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies:, Adhatchery, BaubleBar, Birchbox, ChallengePost, CB Information Services, EcoS- quid, FanBridge, MeeGenius!, Plizzy, Open Runway, StyleHop, and more Self-description: "First Growth runs programs twice a year in winter and spring semesters. First Growth Venture Network’s mission is to identify high potential entrepreneurs and to surround them with the network they will need to support their growth. By providing these nascent tech businesses with the network and substantive expertise they need to grow at the earliest possible moment, First Growth will help create conditions in which those companies will grow into best of breed companies. First Growth is a program for high potential, seed and early stage start-up tech entrepreneurs in and around New York City. First Growth takes high potential entrepreneurs and accelerates their ‘first growth’ by (1) connecting them with venture capitalists, angel investors, successful entrepreneurs and advisors, all of whom have spent years in and around technology start-ups; (2) connecting each start-up with a First Growth Advisor Team of 3 or 4 successful network members who will serve as mentors to the team; (3) providing regular opportunities for substantive information and networking with the broader First Growth community; and (4) providing a peer group of other high potential tech leadership teams in the First Growth program." Xconomy coverage: "Boston Venture Firms Dominate New Mentoring Program for New York Startups," June 16, 2009 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/06/16/boston-venture-firms-dominate-new-mentoring-program-for-new- york-startups/

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! ! ! Gazelle Lab (member of the TechStars Network) http://gazellelab.com/

Location: Tampa Bay, FL Founded: 2011 Teams accepted per year: Up to 20 (2 sessions of up to 10) Investment/stipend: $6,000 per founder, up to $18,000 Equity stake required: 6 percent Application info: http://gazellelab.com/application Application deadline: July 15 (in 2011, future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: SynergyHub, Vabbler.com, World Power & Water, and more Self-description: "Gazelle Lab is a TechStars Network member, mentor-driven, three-month, seed stage investment program. For a small equity stake, you will receive: Series AA, seed-level funding for your firm from top investors (value in the $000s), research and advising from USFSP entrepreneurship students (value in the $000s), fundraising education and tools from Entrepreneur Commons (value in the $00s), development tools and software from Microsoft BizSpark (value in the $00s), library of legal and other support documents (value in the $00s), discounts from Turnstone, Business Plan Pro, Quickbooks, etc. (value in the $00s), in-person training, peer support, and networking events (value in the $00s), Tampa Bay's largest mentor, funding, and resource provider group (priceless)."

General Assembly http://www.generalassemb.ly/

Location: New York, NY Founded: 2011 Teams accepted per year: Varies Investment/stipend: None; tenants pay rent and General Assembly offers space, educational programming, and support services Equity stake required: None Application info: Invitation only http://www.generalassemb.ly/#/offering. Programming sign-up here http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=63ca816628df9b94f27e71e7a&id=f320e9d1d9 Application deadline: Varies, applications are invitation only Past and current companies: Art.sy, Bone & Black, CollegeOnly, Dubset, Fashism, food52, Hark.it, JIBE, Mov- able Ink, NewsCred, Nodejitsu, Paperlex, Postling, Profitably, SeatGeek, and Yipit Self-description: "General Assembly is an urban campus for entrepreneurs seeking to transform industry and cul- ture through technology and design. We provide programming, space, and support services to foster collaborative practices and learning opportunities." Xconomy coverage: "New York’s General Assembly Incubator Attracts Entrepreneurs With Camaraderie, Classes, and a College Feel," April 4, 2011 http://www.xconomy.com/new-york/2011/04/13/new-yorks-new-general-assembly-incubator-attracts- entrepreneurs-with-camaraderie-classes-and-a-college-feel

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! ! ! GoodCompany Ventures http://www.goodcompanyventures.org/

Location: Philadelphia, PA Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: 10 Investment/stipend: None; benefits include access to office space, advisors, and venture and angel investors Equity stake required: None Application info: http://www.goodcompanyventures.or!"#$%&'()*+"(,,-#%()#*$./*+0.1"2 Application deadline: May 6 (in 2011, future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Ads4Good, 33Needs Blox, CalendarFly, Couchange, Green Konnect, Math Founda- tions, PublicStuff, VolunteerBIG, Wish Upon a Hero, Zeocozi, and more Self-description: "GoodCompany Ventures is a community of service for entrepreneurs developing for-profit businesses with social impact. Profitability does not require sacrificing purpose. That’s the double bottom line. GoodCompany Ventures provides support, facilities, and mentoring to qualified, socially conscious entrepreneurs who can make a difference. The program is a pioneer in the social sector, repurposing a proven venture strategy in this emerging sector. Unlike conventional venture incubators, GoodCompany Ventures doesn’t extract an equity commitment from entrepreneurs, but expects a commitment of time and creativity toward building a community of social entrepreneurship. The program will culminate in a graduation event where companies will pitch their ideas to investors. Services provided to participants in the program include: Access to Infrastructure: Conference and office space as well as technology infrastructure within our facility in downtown Philadelphia. Access to Ad- visors: GoodCompany Ventures has assembled mentors, preferred providers, expert advisors, industry leaders, and start-up gurus.Access to Capital: GoodCompany Ventures will facilitate a first investment round by assem- bling representatives from leading VC firms and angel investors.

Greenstart http://greenstart.com/

Location: San Francisco, CA Founded: 2011 Teams accepted per session: 8 to 10 Investment/stipend: $25,000 Equity stake required: 3 percent to 10 percent Application info: http://greenstart.com/apply Application deadline: July 3 (in 2011, future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: TBA, first Greenstart class will start this fall Self-description: "Greenstart is a startup accelerator for cleantech. We help the most promising cleantech startups achieve greater success, faster. The companies we select receive seed funding, three months of mentoring, valuable connections, and the chance to pitch to leading angel investors and venture capitalists at the end of the program." Xconomy Coverage: "Will the Internet Venture Incubator Model Work in Cleantech? Greenstart Is About to Find Out," June 16, 2011 http://www.xconomy.com/san-francisco/2011/06/14/will-the-internet-venture-incubator-model-work-in- cleantech-greenstart-is-about-to-find-out

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! ! ! GrowLab http://www.growlab.ca/

Location: Vancouver, BC, and San Francisco, CA Founded: 2011 Teams accepted per year: 10 (2 sessions of 5) Investment/stipend: Up to $25,000 in Canadian dollars Equity stake required: 5 percent to 10 percent Application info: http://www.growlab.ca/apply-to-grow Application deadline: June 20 (for Fall 2011 program, future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: None yet, GrowLab will begin its first session on August 15 Self-description: "GrowLab aims to find the world’s smartest Internet entrepreneurs who are passionate about technology and changing the face of traditional business. GrowLabs’ approach is entrepreneur-centric. Your startup will go through an intense mentorship program embedded in both Canada and Silicon Valley, providing access to resources and an international network that will accelerate your growth exponentially.GrowLab startups get access to: up to $25,000 in seed funding, office space, four months of intensive programming, three months in Vancouver ,one month in San Francisco."

The HuB http://hubsarasota.com/index.cfm

Location: Sarasota, FL Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: 2 Investment/stipend: Typically between $20,000 and $50,000 Equity stake required: 50 percent or more. Startup Florida aims to play a founding role more than an investing role Application info: E-mail [email protected] for application information Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Fast Pitch, Yokel, Clinipace Worldwide, MOVO, Real Digital Media, 3Step Contact, ThisWeek, LocalSocial, BioLucid, Nanohygienix, and more Self-description: "The HuB was founded by two creative minds Matt Orr and Rich Swier. With no blueprint or model to follow - they created a new type of enterprise... one that creates new economic and social dimensions in a community. The HuB embraces new ideas. We connect with entrepreneurs, artists, professionals and government leaders in our community to find new solutions to current challenges. Our unique process of storyboarding ideas and leveraging creativity - allows us to take a completely new perspective and find success." "Startup Flor- ida believes every entrepreneur benefits from the company of other entrepreneurs. Our Incubator Program has been active for over five years and has helped entrepreneurs start new ventures by providing guidance in all aspects of their business including product development, marketing, sales and funding."

Illinois Launch http://business.illinois.edu/ael/illaunch/index.html

Location: Champaign, IL Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per year: No cap; the past year Launch has helped 30 companies. Companies have to want to launch in Illinois XCONOMY.COM 18

! ! ! Investment/stipend: Up to $35,000 in seed funding Equity stake required: None Application info: https://angelsoft.net/business-plan-competition/illinois-launch/apply Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Effimax Solar, IntelliWheels, CouponRelay, EventBacker, GitBax, ZingZag, Green Purpose, and more Self-description: "In an effort to help young entrepreneurs develop their ideas into high-growth, sustainable businesses, the Academy created Illinois Launch, a new venture pipeline and incubator program at the University of Illinois. Estab- lished with a $500,000 gift from two young entrepreneurs, Albert and Alexander Goldstein, this initiative helps to transform the ideas of young entrepreneurs into new ventures by offering seed funding, mentoring, networking, incubator space and educational opportunities. Launch takes a philanthropic approach to early-stage venture incubation. Taking no equity, we provide select startups with up to $35,000 in seed funding through grants. Launch matches startups with Men- tors who have relevant expertise. Mentors meet with teams to set and enforce milestones, to oversee funding, and to provide guidance and support. Launch companies connect with a large network of entrepreneurs, investors and service providers. Launch companies are given space in EnterpriseWorks, a business incubator in the University of Illinois Research Park. Companies have access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, to workshops and events, and to an extensive array of equipment and computer technology. Launch applicants have access to a number of entrepreneurship courses and workshops. These mix traditional entrepreneurship education with practical advice, mentoring and guidance from successful entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists and critical service providers to the entrepreneurship community."

Incubate Miami (member of the TechStars Network) http://www.incubatemiami.com/

Location: Miami, FL Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per year: 20 to 30 (2 sessions of 10 to 15) Investment/stipend: Previous sessions did not offer funding; the program is determining funding for future sessions Equity stake required: No equity take yet. This may vary depending on funding offered in future sessions. Application info: http://www.incubatemiami.com/apply/ Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: KidzBux, YouCeleb, Razient, Rheti, Flomio, Frankly, Yaibi, Softmotion Networks, AlmostFamous, and more Self-description: "The Technology Accelerator program is a startup "bootcamp" offered twice a year during the spring and fall. The three-month startup accelerator program focuses on providing targeted resources in a struc- tured environment to technology companies and applications. Each program class consists of 10-15 companies selected to participate in the series of fast-paced, rigorous workshops focused on specific topics critical to their business development. As such, the program brings in top executives, successful entrepreneurs, service provides, and mentors to educate and guide entrepreneurs. The three month engagement culminates in a Demo Day pitch event wherein companies announce their official launch of their businesses to a selected audience group."

I/O Ventures http://www.ventures.io/

Location: San Francisco, CA Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per session: Up to 5

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! ! ! Investment/stipend: $25,000 Equity stake required: 8 percent Application info: http://www.ventures.io/apply Application deadline: February 21 (in 2011, future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Appbistro, Socialvision, Damntheradio, Skyara, CodeEval, Pieceable, PrePay, Mob- bles, and more Self-description: "I/o ventures is an early stage startup program that focuses heavily on mentorship. We work closely with founders from product launch through the next stage of company development, sharing what has proven to work for product scaling, revenue growth and fund raising. Our partners and mentors have started and run some of the top internet companies. We want you to take advantage of our experience leading teams, building great products, raising money, negotiating mergers and acquisitions, and scaling infrastructure; all with the hope that you dramatically improve your execution and time-to-market (and won’t repeat our mistakes!). We take pride in our roles both as founders and operators. Each of us has recently or is currently running a technology company. We understand the most common challenges that all entrepreneurs face. We're based out of a funky space in the Mission and invite both portfolio companies and people looking to start a company to come hang out."

Joystick Labs http://www.joysticklabs.com/

Location: Durham, NC Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per session: 4 to 6 Investment/stipend: $6,000 per founder, up to $20,000 per team Equity stake required: A modest equity stake in your company, and a share of the money generated by the game or app you work on at Joystick Labs Application info: https://spreadsheets2.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&hl=en_US&formkey=dHJIMGZhSHRna1lrdW RJRVdiVnpHUEE6MA&ndplr=1#gid=0 Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Lab Rats Studio, Mighty Rabbit Studio, Nix Hydra Games, Gale Force Logic, and Inari Games Self-description: "Joystick Labs is an innovative accelerator program focused exclusively on identifying and launching the next generation of digitally distributed video game companies. We are looking for teams of 2-5 de- velopers who are passionate about games and social media, have a clear vision for the type of experience they want to create, and who are entrepreneurs at heart. Our mission is simple. Joystick Labs exists to identify, seed, accelerate, and launch the next generation of best and brightest digitally distributed video game entrepreneurs through a unique mix of early-stage seed funding, mentorship, education, and networking. You bring a great idea and great people, and we provide the key ingredients to strengthen the potential for your video game studio: funding, support, mentoring, and networking."

Jumpstart Foundry (member of the TechStars Network) http://jumpstartfoundry.com/

Location: Nashville, TN Founded: 2010, first accelerator class in 2011 Teams accepted per year: 6 XCONOMY.COM 20

! ! ! Investment/stipend: $15,000 Equity stake required: 6 percent Application deadline: February 23 early deadline, March 18 final deadline (in 2011, future dates TBA) Past and current companies: YouPromise.me, Kahootzz, Reflex, TapMe, TheFreshTest, Rent Stuff, and more Self-description: "Jumpstart Foundry seeks to aid the growth of fledgling tech-oriented businesses in the South- east by focusing on three key areas: The Foundry, Fund and Future.Started as a seed-stage microfund in 2010, the newest iteration of JSF orbits around a formal, mentor-driven 14-week business incubation program—titled ‘The Foundry’—with the goal of launching six successful companies, prime for funding, by the middle of August 2011. The application process for companies interested in participating in The Foundry in 2011 will began in mid- January and will run until March 18.Those startup companies—keying on the areas of healthcare IT, data systems and social engagement tools—will derive resources and guidance from a hand-selected group of mentors who bring a wealth of experience from a variety of fields."

Kauffman Labs http://www.kauffmanlabs.org/

Location: Kansas City, MO Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: Varies Investment/stipend: Varies Equity stake required: Varies Application info: http://www.kauffmanlabs.org/ Application deadline: Next round of applications expected to launch Q1 2012 Past and current companies: ChildRoad, EcoFin Media, Flip Learning, FriendsLearn, GoalPost Labs, iCreateto- Educate, Simple Smartie, and more Self-description: "Kauffman Labs for Enterprise Creation programs include educating innovative aspiring entrepreneurs to build the next generation of great high-growth firms. Through our entrepreneurship education programs we also study our founders and the firms they form - with the ultimate goal to better understand what we call 'the science of startups.'" Xconomy Coverage: "Kauffman Labs Inaugural Incubator Program Brings In Education-Focused Entrepreneurs From Massachusetts, Michigan and Bay Area," February 2, 2011 http://www.xconomy.com/national/2011/02/10/kauffman-labs-inaugural-incubator-program-brings-in-eucation- focused-entrepreneurs-from-massachusetts-michigan-and-bay-area/

KickLabs http://www.kicklabs.com/default.php

Location: San Francisco, CA Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per year: Varies Investment/stipend: None; companies get 6-12 months of office space, and access to advisers, entrepreneurs, and investors Equity stake required: Varies Application info: https://angelsoft.net/angel-group/kicklabs/apply Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: ContextLogic, Ecofabulous, Encoding.com, Giftiki, Kicktag, Livefyre, Metricly, See

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! ! ! Jane Fly, TextualAds, and more Self-description: "At Kicklabs start-up companies can thrive in a creative and collaborative environment in the heart of San Francisco. Entrepreneurs can interact with a stable of veteran advisors, have access to value added services, and be in the hub of industry events. All this can help young companies build the killer companies of tomorrow. The core Kicklabs team is comprised of industry veterans and experienced technology entrepreneurs, providing a solid network that Kicklabs companies can leverage as they evolve their businesses. Since many of the companies within Kicklabs have a similar macro target market, we anticipate a significant amount of collaboration and utilization of each other's technology platforms. Kicklabs will receive a portion of equity from the participating companies based on the stage of the company, term of their tenancy and the number of employees. KickLabs is a partnership between an affiliate of Broe Real Estate Group of Denver and San Francisco based Transmedia Capital."

Launchpad Ignition (member of the TechStars Network) http://launchpadignition.com/

Location: New Orleans, LA Founded: 2011 (First class wrapped up in May 2011) Teams accepted per year: 8 to 10 Investment/stipend: Up to $25,000 Equity stake required: 7 percent Application info: http://lpignition.tumblr.com/post/4068164682/ignition-2012-applications-open-november-24th Application deadline: December 31 (in 2011, future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Badger, Dydra, GameBuilder Studio, Kinio, Liveset, and Rayku Self-description: "Launch Pad Ignition is a startup accelerator in New Orleans. Founded in 2011, the first class of 6 companies graduated in May, 2011. Ignition creates a framework to help founders refine their product offering, invigorate their business plans, and raise funding to fuel their growth. The mentorship-driven approach to gives companies access to the experience and networks to succeed. Launch Pad Ignition is a program of Launch Pad, a co-working & incubator space in downtown New Orleans. With 12,000 sq ft of shared workspace and more than 60 companies, Launch Pad is at the heart of the entrepreneurial renaissance in New Orleans. Ignition was founded by Chris Schultz, Barre Tanguis, and Peter Bodenheimer and is a part of the TechStars Network."

Launchpad LA (member of the TechStars Network) http://www.launchpad.la/

Location: Los Angeles, CA Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: 10 Investment/stipend: Varies. Launchpad LA offers mentorship, educational programming, legal advice, executive recruiting support, founder dating, public relations, and more Equity stake required: Varies Application info: http://www.launchpad.la/index.php/apply Application deadline: August 5 (in 2011, future dates TBA) Past and current companies: AccessDNA, Cramster, Datapop, iBeathYou, InheritedHealth, Laughstub, Ranker, Totspot, and more Self-description: "Launchpad LA was founded in 2009 by Mark Suster with the goal of helping young talented startup entrepreneurs get funded and grow while remaining in Southern California. The idea came from Mark’s XCONOMY.COM 22

! ! ! frustration with seeing too many companies receive funding from Northern California VCs and then choosing to relocate their teams. Mark was further inspired by the aims and initiatives of John Morris, the former head of the Tech Coast Angels. The Launchpad LA initiative is a true collaboration among the area’s best VCs who have a shared interest in seeing a robust tech community continue to grow and thrive in Los Angeles. Launchpad LA runs a series of educational meetings, discussions, and events designed to share knowledge and experiences between serial entrepreneurs, veteran tech executives, and newer CEOs. Mark runs Launchpad LA with Adam Lilling and Josh Webb."

MassChallenge http://masschallenge.org/

Location: Boston, MA Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: 100 companies can make it into the accelerator stage of the program Investment/stipend: Select teams will win $50,000 or $100,000 Equity stake required: None Application info: http://masschallenge.org/enter Application deadline: April 11 (in 2011; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Abroad101, Aukera Therapeutics, Embed.ly, OsComp Systems, RelayRides, Zyrra, ArtVenue, Bindo Labs, BioArray, Evertrue, Nasolux, and more Self-description: "We help early-stage entrepreneurs win. We connect entrepreneurs with the resources they need to launch and succeed immediately. Our primary activities include running an annual global startup competition, documenting and organizing key resources, and organizing training and networking events." Xconomy coverage: "MassChallenge Launches $1 Million Global Business Competition to Fuel State's Innovation Economy," April 15, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2010/04/15/masschallenge-launches-1-million-global-business-competition- to-fuel-states-innovation-economy/ "MassChallenge Awards $1M to 16 Startups Across IT, Cleantech, Retail, and Healthcare (Also Some Words of Wisdom from Steve Case," October 22, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2010/10/22/masschallenge-awards-1m-to-16-startups-across-it-cleantech- retail-and-healthcare-also-some-words-of-wisdom-from-steve-case/ "MassChallenge, With Lessons Learned, Gears Up for 2011 Startup Competition: A Definitive Debrief," January 31, 2011 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2011/01/31/masschallenge-with-lessons-learned-gears-up-for-2011-startup- competition-a-definitive-debrief/

Momentum (member of the TechStars Network) http://www.momentum-mi.com/

Location: Grand Rapids, MI Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: Up to 5 Investment/stipend: Up to $20,000 and office space Equity stake required: 8 percent Application info: http://www.momentum-mi.com/apply/ XCONOMY.COM 23

! ! ! Application deadline: February 5 (in 2011; futures deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Booker, Chext, Converati, WeatherCollage, DownStream, Public Collections, Re- vetto, Learning Interfaces, TerraPerks, and more Self-description: "We are a Michigan-based seed accelerator looking for new technology start-ups with amazing ideas to join us for a 12-week lean startup bootcamp program. You get $20,000 in seed capital, 18 mentors, a great place to work and the mental space to bring a new company to fruition."

New Hampshire Innovation Commercialization Center http://www.nh-icc.org/our-program/

Location: Portsmouth, NH Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per year: Varies, goal is 6 Investment/stipend: Up to $250,000 Equity stake required: Negotiable Application info: http://www.nh-icc.org/our-program/who-should-apply/application/ Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Holase, PoKos Communications, Innovacene, Unified Office, and more Self-description: "The New Hampshire Innovation Commercialization Center (NH-ICC), in partnership with the University of New Hampshire (UNH), is dedicated to accelerating the development of early stage high technology startups and to the commercialization of UNH intellectual capital. Our vision is to fuel innovation and drive sustainable, rapid private sector growth in New Hampshire by selecting high potential early stage companies, locat- ing them at our facilities at Pease Tradeport in Portsmouth, and providing them with a combination of business resources, seed capital and "hands on involvement" from the Center's seasoned startup executives. UNH, a premier research institution, is one of only seven land, sea and space grant universities in the country. Its world-class faculty, graduate students and staff generate over $100 million in federally supported research each year. The NH- ICC has made it a priority to create and leverage opportunities for the commercialization of these exciting technologies. In addition, companies accelerated through the programs at the NH-ICC are encouraged to leverage UNH faculty and student resources through advisory relationships and student internships."

The Next Big Thing (member of the TechStars Network) http://thenextbig.co

Location: Greenville, SC Founded: 2011 Teams accepted per year: 10 Investment/stipend: Up to $18,000 (6,000 per founder) Equity stake required: 6 percent Application info: http://thenextbig.co/index.html#apply Application deadline: April 20 (for 2012) Past and current companies: None yet; applications for the first class open up next year Self-description: "A mentorship driven startup accelerator in Greenville, South Carolina. We are looking for 10 incredible startup teams to participate in our 1two week summer program. Each team will receive up to $18,000 in seed funding, coworking space at the NEXT Innovation Center, access to an amazing set of mentors, and the opportunity to pitch more than a hundred investors."!

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! ! ! NYC ACRE (NYU-Poly) http://www.nycacre.com/

Location: New York, NY Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: Around 4 or 5 Investment/stipend: None Equity stake required: None Application info: http://www.nycacre.com/apply/index.php Application deadline: Rolling, leases are typically around six months Past and current companies: Anellotech, Ecological, EcoLogic Solutions, M.J. Beck Consulting, Rentricity, Sol- lega, SyntheZyme, ThinkEco, Water Canary, and Wind Products Self-description: "The New York City Accelerator for a Clean and Renewable Economy (NYC ACRE) helps clean technology and renewable energy companies in New York City grow, advancing the City as a role model for environmental sustainability and smart growth. All tenants must have a focus on alternative energy and clean technology, or a product or service offering that has a clear linkage to a more sustainable urban environment. Company sectors include, but are not limited to: energy transmission and distribution; energy storage; waste to energy; smart grid; building systems; lighting; advanced metering infrastructure; energy management; efficiency products and services; sustainable architecture and design; transportation and power systems; water management; green roofs; urban food systems; energy/environmental markets and financial services." Xconomy coverage: ! "New York’s ACRE Incubator is Churning Out Cleantech Startups, and Helping Build a New Engine for the City’s Economy April 20,2011 http://www.xconomy.com/new-york/2011/04/20/new-yorks-acre-incubator-is-churning-out-cleantech-startups- and-helping-build-a-new-engine-for-the-citys-economy!

NYC SeedStart http://www.nycseedstart.com/index.html

Location: New York, NY Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per year: Up to 10 Investment/stipend: Up to $20,000 Equity stake required: 5 percent Application info: http://www.nycseedstart.com/application.html Application deadline: Varies depending on term Past and current companies: DataDog, Introspectr, Reducify, Lexeem, Risktail, and more Self-description: "NYC SeedStart Media is a 12-week summer program designed to provide seed funding to technology companies to build a product and launch their company. SeedStart is interested in companies focusing on advertising infrastructure, e-commerce, digital content, and mobile technology. Companies will work with an incredible network of mentors, professionals, and experienced technology entrepreneurs. Venture Capital Partners include Contour Venture Partners, Comcast Ventures/Genacast Ventures, NYC Seed, Polaris Venture Partners, RRE Ventures."

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! ! ! Plug and Play Tech Center http://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/

Location: Glendale, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Palo Alto, CA, Redwood City, CA, and Sunnyvale, CA (primary and oldest location). New since last Guide to Venture Incubators: Ventura, CA, and Oceanside, CA Founded: 2006 Teams accepted per year: More than 100 Investment/stipend: Varies, but ranges between $50,000 and $500,000. Plug and Play assists startups in getting access to venture capital firms, angel investors, and its own venture-investing arm, Amidzad Partners. The program also offers flexible office leases Equity stake required: Varies Application info: http://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/forms/fund_applic.php. E-mail [email protected] Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Melodis, Zoosk, Lending Club, and more Self-description: "Plug and Play Tech Center is a thriving Silicon Valley community of over 300 startups from all over the world. Our mission is to help startups grow. We accomplish that mission through a number of strategic partnerships, including 170 investors who participate in regular screening sessions exclusive to Plug and Play members. We also have active International, University, and Corporate divisions to create an ecosystem of innovation that goes beyond just startups. In addition to offering a professional working environment that is as flexible as Silicon Valley itself, we host a number of networking events, we offer various educational programs and seminars, and we offer a number of services from banking and accounting to funding and M&A support."

QB3 Garage/Innovation Network http://qb3.org/innovation-toolkit/qb3-garage

Location: Berkeley, CA, and San Francisco, CA Founded: 2006 Teams accepted per year: Approximately 20 Investment/stipend: Possible investments via QB3’s seed-stage venture fund, Mission Bay Capital Equity stake required: None Application info: E-mail [email protected] Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Adheren, EndoOrthopedics, Nanonerve, Lypro Biosciences, Omniox, Seachange Pharmaceuticals, Refactored Materials, ZoneOne Pharma, and more Self-description: "QB3 created two incubators that allow very small companies access to modern laboratory space in close proximity to QB3 investigators. These incubators, the QB3 Garage@UCSF (opened in 2006) and the QB3 Ga- rage@Berkeley(opened in 2010) are the biological laboratory equivalent of garages: small spaces for entrepreneurs to lay the foundations for companies that may spearhead new industries. Space is limited. The Garages are only open to spin-outs from University of California laboratories. Space is available at market rates for pre-commercial development for periods of up to two years. QB3 has teamed with private partners to offer microspace in a growing network throughout the Bay Area. Inter- ested life science entrepreneurs may currently rent space in the QB3/Mission Bay Innovation Center, operated by FibroGen at 409 Illinois Street in San Francisco, and the QB3 East Bay Innovation Center, operated by Wareham Development at 2929 Seventh Street in Berkeley. Network tenants enjoy: a density of innovators in related areas, introductions to UC researchers for collaborations, a broad range of core facilities that QB3 and UC provide to outside users for modest fees, seminars and symposia, and entrepreneurial networking services with an ecosystem of investors, service providers, and entrepreneurs."

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! ! ! Xconomy coverage: "Reg Kelly, Scotsman from Humble Roots, Finds New Purpose at QB3 in Mission Bay," June 21, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/san-francisco/2010/06/21/qb3-chief-reg-kelly-scotsman-from-humble-roots-finds- renewed-purpose-in-future-of-mission-bay/

Rock Health http://rockhealth.com/

Location: San Francisco, CA Founded: 2011 Teams accepted per year: 11 (in 2011) Investment/stipend: $20,000 startup grant to each team Equity stake required: None Application info: http://rockhealth.com/program/ Application deadline: Fall 2011 Past and current companies: BrainBot, CellScope, Genomera, Health In Reach, Omada Health, Pipette, Skimble, WeSprout, and more Self-description: "Do you have an idea or startup that’s working to solve a health-related issue? Apply to join Rock Health, a group of dedicated individuals working to catalyze innovation in the interactive health space, and gain to access our unrivaled community of experts and seed-accelerator program. Startups partake in an intensive multi-month program, turning ideas into products and businesses. We recently selected 11 startups for this first term. Applications will open again this fall. Our mission is to enable and empower an entrepreneurial cure for the relative lack of innovation in the health sector. The world of patient care and healthy living is foreign to the tech- nological creativity found in social media, games and other verticals. Rock Health directly targets the gap between these ecosystems, enabling high-impact innovation." Xconomy coverage: "Rock Health, A New Incubator for Healthcare IT Startups, Names Its First Class," June 2, 2011 http://www.xconomy.com/san-francisco/2011/06/02/rock-health-a-new-incubator-for-healthcare-it-startups- names-its-first-class/

SemanticSeed http://www.semanticseed.com

Location: San Jose, CA Founded: 2008 Teams accepted per year: 10 out-of-state teams, 5 Bay Area teams Investment/stipend: Between $500 and $5000 in grants Equity stake required: 2 percent to 12 percent, depending on initial size of the grant Application info: http://www.semanticseed.com/grants.html Application deadline: Usually March 15 to April 31 Past and current companies: Gokit, Cued, AisleFinder, Central.ly, Fetchmob, Playd, BeCouply, Pencil You In, TriOut, KloudCo, and more Self-description: "Semantic Seed was established in 2008, when two investment firms—Urban Technology Ven- tures and Breakthrough Venture Partners—recognized a lack of support and funding available to first-time entrepreneurs. Often funding from angel investors and venture capitalists is reserved for seasoned entrepreneurs, not new ones. Semantic Seed's grants fill that void by offering opportunity to hard-working, innovative people with XCONOMY.COM 27

! ! ! great ideas—even if they're just starting out. Our 3-month acceleration program and 56-hour StartUp Camp provide the structure and knowledge desperately needed by new entrepreneurs to jump start a high-tech startup. Semantic Seed provides its grants and programs with the help of sponsors, partners and a team of mentors. Our mentors have extensive hands-on experience starting and operating successful businesses and make themselves available to both grant recipients and program participants. Even though we're based in San Jose, Cali- fornia, Semantic Seed offers grants to startups around the world, and conducts StartUp Camps in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Mumbai, Berlin, Jordan and Vancouver."

Springboard Enterprises http://www.springboardenterprises.org/

Location: Organization is based in Washington, DC. Forums are throughout the U.S. Founded: 2000 Teams accepted per year: Typically 20 to 40 Investment/stipend: None; Springboard runs six-month venture forum programs that recruit, screen, coach and make connections for selected companies with participation from its vast network of seasoned entrepreneurs, angel investors, VCs, corporate investors and business development executives, industry experts, attorneys and other trusted service providers Equity stake required: None Application info: During active recruitment, application information is available at www.springboardenterprises.org or may be requested at www.springboardenterprises.org/moreinfo Application deadline: Varies. Check www.springboardenterprises.org for upcoming dates and deadlines. Past and current companies: Zipcar, 51Job, Icagen, iRobot, Xenogen, ViaCell, Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Constant Contact, RAVEN Biotechnologies, Minute Clinic and over 450 other high-growth companies from across all industries Self-description: "Venture-catalyst Springboard Enterprises is the premier platform where entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts meet to build great women-led businesses. Springboard educates, sources, coaches, showcases and supports high growth companies seeking equity capital for expansion. The Springboard Venture Forum is their signature program, a six-month program involving the active participation of hundreds of investors, accountants, lawyers and business development professionals in recruiting, qualifying and coaching emerging growth businesses led by women. The program includes both in person and virtual sessions providing many opportunities for direct contact with both the companies and other participants. Each company is assigned a team of expert 'coaches' who assist them in refining the presentation and facilitating connections to investors and business development opportunities. Since January, 2000, Springboard has organized 22 venture forum programs that have helped over 450 women-led companies raise more than $5.5 billion in equity financing, including 8 IPOs, and legions of high value M&As. 80% of Springboard companies are still in business, generating $4 billion in revenues and creating tens of thousands of new jobs."

SproutBox http://www.sproutbox.com/

Location: Bloomington, IN Founded: 2008 Teams accepted per year: 4 Investment/stipend: $200,000 to $250,000 worth of services; $10,000 to $20,000 in cash Equity stake required: 20 to 40 percent Application info: http://www.sproutbox.com/apply XCONOMY.COM 28

! ! ! Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: MyJibe, Dingora, Proposable, Squad, ScheduleThing, CheddarGetter, Decide Al- ready, and more Self-description: "SproutBox invests in entrepreneurs. We represent a new approach to venture capital that is about more than just writing checks. We invest ourselves in a company’s success. Each year, we give four hand- picked startups the team, tools, and resources needed to turn their early stage ideas into a revenue-generating real- ity. We're not about talk. We are a team of 10 coders, marketers and business experts that work with entrepreneurs full-time in exchange for equity."

StartX http://sselabs.stanford.edu/

Location: Stanford, CA Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: Around 10 Investment/stipend: None. Companies receive office space, mentorship from investors, education seminars, legal services, and more Equity stake required: None Application info: http://sselabs.stanford.edu/application Application deadline: April 6 (for 2011 summer session; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Black Swan Solar, 6Dot, Game Closure, Motion Math, ThinkBulbs, Kitchit, Leglyt- ics, WiFiSlam, Loki Studios, Fountainhop, and more Self-description: "StartX, formerly SSE Labs, is a student start-up accelerator developed in accordance with thechartered goals of SSE to provide a premier experience in applied entrepreneurship for Stanford students. We are a nonprofit educational initiative that complements Stanford’s educational entrepreneurship lecture series, classes and workshops. We help the most passionate and innovative Stanford students become better entrepreneurs and start their companies by providing a community of like-minded entrepreneurs in our office space, mentorship from successful Silicon Valley experts, and resources that most startups find out-of-reach."

Studio G http://guidewiregroup.com/services/studio-g/

Location: Redwood City, CA Founded: 2011 Teams accepted per year: Varies Investment/stipend: None, but entrepreneurs receive workspace, programming, business connections, and software and services Equity stake required: None. Monthly tenants pay $250 a month for the workspace and services, and annual forum membership costs $650 Application info: [email protected] Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Rumbafish and more Self-description: "Studio G is a startup acceleration resource. We provide programs, workspace, business connections, and (soon) online tools and community to help entrepreneurs build their businesses more quickly and pre- dictably. Based in the fundamental belief that smart people, working together, build better businesses faster, Studio G is a dynamic entrepreneurial community that helps companies achieve their growth objectives with clarity of purpose, speed and efficiency. Studio G provides the software and services that enable entrepreneurs to audit XCONOMY.COM 29

! ! ! their status, strategy, and position; shape and execute strategic plans; drive to business milestones; and add tangible value to their growing businesses. Housed in our offices in Redwood City, California, Studio G is a quiet place to work, a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, and a full calendar of educational and networking events. For entrepreneurs, the resources of Studio G are available as a year-long membership in our Studio G Forum or through a month-to-month work space lease. For less than the dues in other co-working spaces, Studio G Forum members have access to the resources and community of the facility, including drop-in access to the Studio G facility where members can mix with start ups, tap an Internet connection, and enjoy our casual meeting facilities; complimentary access to Studio G education forums and event programs, and substantial discounts on Guidewire Group partner programs (a total value of over $1,000 per year); office hours with business strategy experts, including Guidewire Group CEO Chris Shipley; and introductions into Guidewire Group’s global business network."

Summer@Highland http://www.hcp.com/summer/

Location: Cambridge, MA; San Francisco, CA; and Menlo Park, CA Founded: 2007; program went on hiatus for Summer 2010 Teams accepted per year: Varies (10 in 2011) Investment/stipend: $15,000 Equity stake required: None Application info: http://www.hcp.com/summer/apply.php Application deadline: April 7 (in 2011; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Affine Systems, CloudFlare, Cogito Health, Ksplice, Paragon Lake (now Gem- vara), Wildfire Interactive, and more Self-description: "Summer@Highland is an innovative program designed to provide selected student/university- affiliated entrepreneurs with the environment and resources for advancing their startup initiative/company to the next level. Participating entrepreneurs/teams will receive $15,000and complimentary work space in at the Cam- bridge Innovation Center, Highland's summer office in San Francisco or at the Highland Entrepreneur Center in Menlo Park. The teams will have access to Highland investment professionals along with further resources for injecting real-world advice, insight and perspectives into the entrepreneurial and company-building process." Xconomy coverage: "Highland Capital Puts Out the Call for Student Entrepreneurs and Interns," April 3, 2008 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2008/04/03/highland-capital-puts-out-the-call-for-student-entrepreneurs-and-interns/ "Highland Program Offers No-Strings Stipend to Student Entrepreneurs," March 3, 2009 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/03/03/highland-program-offers-no-strings-stipends-to-student-entrepeneurs/

TechStars http://www.techstars.org/

Location: Boston, MA; Boulder, CO (original location); New York, NY; and Seattle, WA Founded: 2006 Teams accepted per year: Approximately 50 (5 sessions of 10) Investment/stipend: $6,000 per founder, up to $18,000 Equity stake required: 6 percent Application info: http://www.techstars.org/apply/ Application deadline: Boston, January 31; Boulder, March 16; NYC, May 26/November 21; Seattle, June 1 (in 2011; future deadlines TBA) XCONOMY.COM 30

! ! ! Past and current companies: Appswell, Baydin, Foodzie, Ginger.io, HaveMyShift, Marginize, Localytics, OnSwipe, Sensobi, StarStreet, Strohl Medical, and more Self-description: "TechStars is a mentorship-driven seed stage investment program. We run a three month long program in Boston (MA), Boulder (CO), New York City (NY) and Seattle (WA) once each year. We’re very se- lective—hundreds of companies apply and we only take about ten companies per city. These companies get up to $18,000 in seed funding, three months of intensive top-notch mentorship, and the chance to pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists at the end of the program." Xconomy coverage: "A Tale of Three Cities: How Boston, Boulder, and Seattle Measure Up as Tech Innovation Hubs," November 6, 2009 http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/11/06/a-tale-of-three-cities-how-boston-boulder-and-seattle-measure-up- as-tech-innovation-hubs/ "TechStars Demo Day Yields 10 New Seattle Startups—and a Lot of Work Ahead," November 15, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2010/11/15/techstars-demo-day-yields-10-new-seattle-startups-and-a-lot-of- work-ahead/ "TechStars Inaugural New York Demo Day Spotlights NYC Web Startups Focused on Fashion, Real Estate, Classi- fieds, Education, & More," April 14, 2011 http://www.xconomy.com/new-york/2011/04/14/techstars-inaugural-new-york-demo-day-spotlights-nyc-web- startups-focused-on-fashion-real-estate-classifieds-education-more/ "Hero's Journey: A Look Inside This Year's Class of TechStars Boston Startups," June 14, 2011 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2011/06/14/heros-journey-a-look-inside-this-year%E2%80%99s-class-of- techstars-boston-startups/

TechTown Thrive http://techtownwsu.org/understanding-thrive/

Location: Detroit, MI Founded: Founded in 2009 as SmartStart, evolved into Thrive in 2010 Teams accepted per year: Varies Investment/stipend: No investment, but Thrive can help companies access funding in the form of loans. Thrive costs $50 for six months of access to workshops and forums Equity stake required: None Application info: http://techtownwsu.org/apply/ Application deadline: Rolling Past and current companies: Mirafit and more Self-description: "THRIVE is TechTown’s entrepreneurial experience. It is a marketplace full of resources to provide entrepreneurs with what they need when they need it. Its aim is to meet you where you are and connect you to resources to propel you to success. The entrepreneurial journey starts with an idea and execution is the bridge that leads to realized dreams. It is the bridge of execution that Thrive aims to support. Based on the entrepreneur’s business stage of development and entrepreneurial experience, THRIVE offers coaching, mentoring, entrepreneurs in residence, industry experts, subject matter experts, workshops and forums, capital overview and connections, physical space and networking. These resources are provided with an aim to core entrepreneurial outcomes that TechTown can be best in class at supporting. These core outcomes include, business idea feasibil- ity, funding strategy, business plan, polished pitch, revenue generation, job creation and more. THRIVE caters to new and to serial entrepreneurs with business ideas from the early to growth stages of development. Its primary industry focuses are supply chain management & logistics, arts & entertainment (creative sector), alternative energy, advanced manufacturing and life sciences."

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! ! ! Tech Wildcatters (member of the TechStars Network) http://techwildcatters.com/

Location: Dallas, TX Founded: 2010 Teams accepted per year: 8 to 10 Investment/stipend: $20,000-$25,000 Equity stake required: 2 per to 10 percent of a company’s common founding stock Application info: http://techwildcatters.com/apply/ Application deadline: July 24 (in 2011; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Sparkcrowd, Nimbix, Vignature, RentSavvy, Proxomo, Concepta Systems, College- JobConnect, ImageVisionLabs, and more Self-description: "Here at Tech Wildcatters, we know what we're good at and we know where we can add value. Dallas is a business town plain and simple. If you have a web, gaming or software startup that receives some or all of its revenue from businesses, then you are probably right for us. We are looking for smart capable teams of 2 or more entrepreneurs who can execute. Each chosen company will receive $20-25K in seed capital and access to our remarkable mentors and sponsors, all focused on getting your company to the next level."

TheFunded Founder Institute http://www.founderinstitute.com/

Location: Boston, MA; Denver, CO; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; San Diego, CA; Silicon Valley, CA (original location); Seattle, WA; and Washington, DC Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: 25 to 50 Investment/stipend: None. The Founder Institute introduces entrepreneurs to angel and venture investors throughout the program Equity stake required: Teams pay application fee and a course fee, and each graduate contributes 3.5 percent of their company equity in warrants to a 10-year Bonus Pool with other peers from the current semester. If a company is successful and receives significant financing from third parties, the Institute asks that the company pay a one-time Tuition of $4,500, which supplies the growth capital for the Institute Application info: http://www.founderinstitute.com/users/new?flag=Founder Application deadline: Boston, January 3; Bay Area/Silicon Valley, June 22; Denver, May 1; San Diego, September 11; Seattle, October 10; Los Angeles, February 16; New York, March 13; Washington, DC, September 25 (dates are for 2011; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: CauseVox, MicroMobs, Opportunity Green, Giv.to, Retailigence, Skydera, Breezy, Cloud Canvas, CouplesSpark, and more Self-description: "The Founder Institute is a global network of startups and mentors that helps entrepreneurs launch meaningful and enduring technology companies. Through our four month pre-seed incubator program, you can launch your dream company with expert training, feedback, and support from experienced startup CEOs, while not being required to quit your day job. Our unique Bonus Pool also shares equity upside with all participants, creating local, teamwork-based ecosystems where great startups can flourish. The Founder Institute's goal is to globalize Silicon Valley by launching 1,000 meaningful and enduring technology companies per year in 30 cities worldwide. It was founded in 2009 by serial entrepreneur, Adeo Ressi, and to this day is still operated out of a small garage in the heart of Silicon Valley."

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! ! ! Xconomy coverage: "Founder Institute, Early Stage Startup Program, Comes to Seattle Thanks to a Gaming Connection," October 27, 2009 http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/10/27/founder-institute-early-stage-startup-program-comes-to-seattle- thanks-to-a-gaming-connection/ "Enrollment Begins at Founder Institute After Inaugural Class Completes Training," March 1, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2010/03/01/enrollment-begins-at-founder-institute-after-inaugural-class- completes-training/ "Born in Silicon Valley, Founder Institute Expands to Boston," May 10, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2010/05/10/born-in-silicon-valley-founder-institute-expands-to-boston/

Varick Street Incubator (NYU-Poly) http://www.poly.edu/business/incubators/160-varick

Location: New York, NY Founded: 2009 Teams accepted per year: Varies. NYU-Poly accepts 10 to 30 companies across its incubator network of BEST, DUMBO, NYC ACRE, and Varick Street Investment/stipend: None. Companies based on NYU-Poly intellectual property receive space and services at low- or no-cost a. A license agreement must be in place. (Other companies pay a higher rate of $300 per month to access the space and services such as access to student interns, R&D support, funding connections, and administrative services.) Equity stake required: None Application info: http://www.poly.edu/business/incubators/160-varick/apply Application deadline: Rolling, leases are typically around six months Past and current companies: Gridlex, Brightmap, Buzzr, CBInsights, PatientPlus, Social Amp, Pixable, Baba Apps, Ultra Light Startups, Brainscape, and more Self-description: "The NYU-Poly Varick Street Incubator combines next-generation technology with highly adaptable business models. We leverage the wealth of global talent found in New York City to assist entrepreneurs. We help emerging companies to transform into thriving businesses with highly valuable products and services. The incubator shortens the time from innovation to impact, and provides the guidance, expertise, and resources that start-ups need to grow into scalable ventures that bring economic growth to the greater New York area. NYU-Poly and the City of New York launched the Varick Street Incubator as part of Mayor Bloomberg’s Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan in July 2009. The incubator is an integral component of NYU-Poly’s i2e philosophy (invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship)." Xconomy coverage: "NYU-Poly Varick Street Incubator Taps Into Student Talent and Helps Startups Grow Up," April 27,2011 http://www.xconomy.com/new-york/2011/04/27/nyu-poly-varick-street-incubator-taps-into-student-talent-and- helps-startups-grow-up

Y Combinator http://ycombinator.com/

Location: Mountain View, CA Founded: 2005 Teams accepted per term: 60-70 Investment/stipend: $11,000 + $3,000 per founder XCONOMY.COM 33

! ! ! Equity stake required: 2-10 percent, usually 6 or 7 percent Application info: http://ycombinator.com/apply.html Application deadline: March !" (in 201#; future deadlines TBA) Past and current companies: Dropbox, Airbnb, Justin.tv, Loopt, Heroku, Wufoo, Weebly, Scribd, Xobni, and Posterous, and more Self-description: "In 2005, Y Combinator developed a new model of startup funding. Twice a year we invest a small amount of money (average $18k) in a large number of startups (currently 63). The startups move to Silicon Valley for 3 months, during which we work intensively with them to get the company into the best possible shape and refine their pitch to investors. Each cycle culminates in Demo Day, when the startups present to a large audience of investors. But YC doesn't end on Demo Day. We and the YC alumni network continue to help founders for the life of their company, and beyond." Xconomy coverage: "The Y Combinator Class of Summer 2010," August 16, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/san-francisco/2010/08/16/the-y-combinator-class-of-summer-2010/ "The Definitive Y Combinator Demo Day Debrief," August 25, 2010 http://www.xconomy.com/san-francisco/2010/08/25/the-definitive-y-combinator-demo-day-debrief/ "Y Combinator’s Winter 2011 Demo Day: The Definitive Debrief," March 24, 2011 http://www.xconomy.com/san-francisco/2011/03/24/y-combinators-winter-2011-demo-day-the-definitive-debrief/ "The Y Combinator Class of Winter 2011," May 5, 2011 http://www.xconomy.com/san-francisco/2011/05/05/the-y-combinator-class-of-winter-2011/

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