Accelerators and Investors
New Schools Venture Fund: As a nonprofit venture philanthropy firm, we raise philanthropic capital from both individual and institutional investors, and then use those funds to support education entrepreneurs who are transforming public education.
Imagine K-12: Referred to as “The Y Combinator for Education,” this for-profit enterprise is looking to invest time, experience, energy and resources in entrepreneurs who have a passion for education and the technical know-how to create their vision. Now accepting applications for the winter 2012 cycle. It will take place in Palo Alto, CA from mid January through mid April 2012. Applications due Oct 30, 2011.
Learn Capital: venture capital firm focused exclusively on funding entrepreneurs with a vision for better and smarter learning.
EdTech Lab: The Teach For America-NewSchools EdTech Entrepreneurs Lab (through Stanford’s d.school) is an innovative new program designed to prepare the next generation of aspiring entrepreneurs to build high impact, technology-driven solutions for public education. Inaugural cohort was Fall 2010- Spring 2011 and still TBD if there will be a 2nd cohort.
KauffmanLabs Program: Twenty-three entrepreneurs spent four months immersed in an intensive, hands-on program designed to catalyze the creation of high-growth companies to generate thousands of jobs with dramatic economic benefits in the education sector.
Starl: new social enterprise dedicated to supporting the innovation of effective, affordable, and accessible learning products. Their accelerator is a three-month immersion into Product design, market strategy and business development for early stage learning enterprises. 2nd round of ‘Boost’ sessions already took place in Spring 2011 — Didn’t see any info about next round of applications but I will update here once that’s posted.
TechStars: Participants get up to $18,000 in seed funding for your company and the opportunity to pitch to hundreds of angel investors and venture capitalists at the end of the program. TechStars companies build amazing relationships with the mentors and top executives of major Internet companies. The program is offered in Boston, NYC, Boulder, Seattle and is currently accepting applications.
StartUp Weekend: weekend-long, hands-on experiences where entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs can find out if startup ideas are viable. Ongoing weekend events all over the world.
Hub Ventures: 12-week evening program providing funding and resources to a community of 16 entrepreneurs building for-profit solutions for a better world. Bay Area- SF and Berkeley.
