Illumina Ventures Labs (formerly Illumina Accelerator)
Biotech & Life Sciences · Run by Illumina / Illumina Ventures · Foster City, CA
Every field is checked against a primary source where we can. How we verify.
The facts
All fields verified Sep 29, 2026- Terms model
- Equity for cashInvests cash in your company and takes equity (an ownership stake) in return.
- Investment
- up to $200,000 (optional convertible note) plus $20,000 credit line
- Equity taken
- 7%
- Program length
- 26 weeks
- Format
- In person
- Location
- Foster City, CA
- Cohorts per year
- 2
- Cohort size
- up to 5 per cycle
- Stage focus
- concept through seed (pre-Series A)
- Sub-vertical
- genomics / NGS applications
- Demographic focus
- Not published
- Backers
- Illumina, Illumina Ventures
- Notable alumni
- Not published
Terms notes: Ended as an accelerator: the 7% fully diluted common stake, up to $200k optional convertible notes, $20k secured credit line, sequencing credits and lab space are from the pre-2023 Illumina Accelerator FAQ and describe the former program. As of September 29, 2026, Illumina Ventures Labs publishes no investment amounts, equity terms, cohort structure, or application process.
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Terms in plain English
Under the Illumina Accelerator (2014 to 2023), published terms were a 7% fully diluted common equity stake, up to $200,000 in optional convertible notes, a $20,000 secured credit line, and sequencing credits, reagents, and lab space. In 2023 the Accelerator joined Illumina Ventures and relaunched as Illumina Ventures Labs, which describes itself as a company creation and investment engine and publishes no cohort, application process, or terms. The figures on this page describe the former accelerator.
Who this is actually for
The Illumina Accelerator was for early genomics startups that wanted sequencing access, lab space, and mentorship alongside a small investment. Illumina Ventures Labs now builds and funds companies directly rather than running cohorts; founders who only need sequencing access can look at Illumina for Startups Grants, which take rolling applications.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the next Illumina Ventures Labs (formerly Illumina Accelerator) application deadline?
- Illumina Ventures Labs (formerly Illumina Accelerator) has ended, so there is no upcoming application window. We last checked on Sep 29, 2026.
- How much does Illumina Ventures Labs (formerly Illumina Accelerator) invest?
- While it ran, Illumina Ventures Labs (formerly Illumina Accelerator) listed an investment of up to $200,000 (optional convertible note) plus $20,000 credit line.
- How much equity does Illumina Ventures Labs (formerly Illumina Accelerator) take?
- While it ran, Illumina Ventures Labs (formerly Illumina Accelerator) listed equity of 7%.
- Where is Illumina Ventures Labs (formerly Illumina Accelerator) located and is it in person?
- Illumina Ventures Labs (formerly Illumina Accelerator) was based in Foster City, CA and ran an in person program.
- Is Illumina Ventures Labs (formerly Illumina Accelerator) still active?
- No. Illumina Ventures Labs (formerly Illumina Accelerator) has ended. We last checked its status on Sep 29, 2026.
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Sources
Everything above was checked against these, verified Sep 29, 2026.