Startup accelerators in California
20 verified startup accelerators on Accelerator Atlas are based in California. They span HealthTech & MedTech, Climate & Energy, and Biotech & Life Sciences. Programs here include a16z Speedrun, Activate Fellowship (incl. Cyclotron Road), and BioTools Innovator. Each listing shows its source and the date we last checked it.
Showing 20 of 20 programs, plus 1 that has ended
| Check size | Equity | Terms | Format | Next window | Signal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a16z Speedrunearly-stage startups across categories, including games | up to $1,000,000 ($500,000 for 10% via a SAFE, plus up to $500,000 into the next round) | 10% | Equity for cash | CA | In person | Nov 1, 2026 | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| Activate Fellowship (incl. Cyclotron Road)hard tech: energy, carbon capture, materials, sustainable infrastructure (16 verticals) | $100,000/year living stipend plus $100,000 R&D support and $12,000/year travel and professional development (more than $300,000 over two years) | Not publishedTwo-year fellowship funding founders full time; no equity and no fees (FAQ). The apply and communities pages list a $100K living stipend per year, $100K in R&D support, $12K per year in travel and professional development funds, a health insurance stipend, and a relocation allowance; the fellowship page states 'More than $300K over two years.' Five communities: Anywhere (virtual, for fellows at least 70 miles from an in-residence city), Berkeley / Cyclotron Road, Boston, Houston, and New York. Per the FAQ, Berkeley and Boston fellows live in or relocate to those areas, Houston fellows live within commuting distance of Houston, and New York requires no relocation but fellows must be able to commute to New York City three times a month; a relocation stipend covers new fellows who move more than 70 miles. Cohort 2027 applications close October 30, 2026 at 12 p.m. PT; the fellowship begins July 1 and applicants are selected in spring. | Non-dilutive | CA | Hybrid | Oct 30, 2026 | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| BioTools Innovatorlife-science tools and diagnostics | up to $250,000 in non-dilutive awards (grand prize $250,000) | Not publishedA non-dilutive competition accelerator for life-science tools and diagnostics companies, run by MedTech Innovator over about four months with virtual programming and multi-city events. It awards non-dilutive cash prizes, including a $250,000 grand prize, with no application fee; a separate VANGUARD program provides up to $200,000 each to five startups. Cohort size is not consistently published. The 2026 cohort application closed December 16, 2025, and the program says 2027 applications open in October 2026. | Non-dilutive | CA | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| Cedars-Sinai Accelerator+digital health / health tech | Not publishedProgram evolved from the original 12-week Cedars-Sinai (Techstars-partnered) accelerator into a 12-month 'venture-building platform' (Accelerator+). Current investment amount and equity terms are not disclosed on csaccelerator.com, so left null. Original program historically invested $100k, but that term does not verifiably apply to Accelerator+. Old cedars-sinai.org/accelerator.html URL now 404s. | Not publishedProgram evolved from the original 12-week Cedars-Sinai (Techstars-partnered) accelerator into a 12-month 'venture-building platform' (Accelerator+). Current investment amount and equity terms are not disclosed on csaccelerator.com, so left null. Original program historically invested $100k, but that term does not verifiably apply to Accelerator+. Old cedars-sinai.org/accelerator.html URL now 404s. | Not publishedProgram evolved from the original 12-week Cedars-Sinai (Techstars-partnered) accelerator into a 12-month 'venture-building platform' (Accelerator+). Current investment amount and equity terms are not disclosed on csaccelerator.com, so left null. Original program historically invested $100k, but that term does not verifiably apply to Accelerator+. Old cedars-sinai.org/accelerator.html URL now 404s. | CA | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| Cleantech Opencleantech (all sectors), national multi-region accelerator | Not publishedFee now primary-verified on the 2026 accelerator page: participation fee $2,600 early bird / $2,950 regular for up to two members, $1,875 for student-led companies; application fee $30 early bird / $80 regular. No equity taken. Up to $150,000 in total cash prizes and/or investment plus up to $50,000 in-kind; national grand prize delivered as a SAFE (0% discount, no interest, no valuation cap or board seat). 2026 applications ran Feb 1 to Apr 6, 2026 (closed); program May 31 to Aug 25, 2026, National Finals Oct 20 to 22, 2026 in Boston. | Not publishedFee now primary-verified on the 2026 accelerator page: participation fee $2,600 early bird / $2,950 regular for up to two members, $1,875 for student-led companies; application fee $30 early bird / $80 regular. No equity taken. Up to $150,000 in total cash prizes and/or investment plus up to $50,000 in-kind; national grand prize delivered as a SAFE (0% discount, no interest, no valuation cap or board seat). 2026 applications ran Feb 1 to Apr 6, 2026 (closed); program May 31 to Aug 25, 2026, National Finals Oct 20 to 22, 2026 in Boston. | Fee-based | CA | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| Founders First CDC (Passport, Zebra Leadership, FastPath Accelerator)revenue-focused accelerators for diverse-led service businesses | $1,000+ micro-grant plus free program access (Tadlock Veteran grant: $25,000 total fund, 25 finalists; Kitty Fund Mompreneur and LGBTQIA+ grants: $20,000 total fund, 20 finalists each) | Not publishedNo equity taken. Grants are $1,000+ micro-grants plus free access for finalists to one program: Passport Community (valued at $1,499 for a 3-month subscription) or Zebra Leadership (valued at $1,699). The Kenneth B and Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Business Grant has a $25,000 fund for 25 finalists; the Kitty Fund Mompreneur and LGBTQIA+ National business grants each have $20,000 for 20 finalists. Premium program tier pricing is not disclosed. The Tadlock Veteran grant's 2026 cycle is open September 15 to October 15, 2026; the Kitty Fund and LGBTQIA+ grants' 2026 cycles are closed, with 2027 dates published. | Non-dilutive | CA | Remote | Apr 13, 2027 | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| IndieBio (rebranded SOSV SF / SOSV NY, 2026)biotech / deep tech life sciences | up to $550,000 | Not publishedSOSV 'First Check in Deep Tech': up to $550k pre-seed SAFE with up-to-6-month lab/co-working residency. Equity percentage not disclosed on fetched SOSV pages, so null. In early 2026 IndieBio rebranded to SOSV SF and SOSV NY (second US site at 7 Penn Plaza, New York, NY); scope broadened beyond bio to deep tech, but therapeutics/diagnostics remain core. DEADLINE/STATUS NOTE: Applications appear rolling via SOSV site; no dated 2026 deadline published on fetched pages. | Equity for cash | CA | In person | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| KidsX Acceleratorpediatric digital health | Not publishedTerms not disclosed on fetched pages; KidsX has historically been an equity-free, pilot-focused accelerator run by a consortium of children's hospitals, but current equity/fee terms could not be verified, so left null. 10-week virtual/asynchronous program. DEADLINE/STATUS NOTE: Marked possibly_inactive September 28, 2026: the most recent accelerator cohort announced on kidsx.health is the 2024 cohort (seven companies, post dated May 7, 2024); the /accelerator URL now redirects to an interest intake form that says 'This is NOT an application'; other KidsX programs (CancerX Accelerator, Sprints, pitch competition, a 2026 patient safety innovation challenge) remain active. | Not publishedTerms not disclosed on fetched pages; KidsX has historically been an equity-free, pilot-focused accelerator run by a consortium of children's hospitals, but current equity/fee terms could not be verified, so left null. 10-week virtual/asynchronous program. DEADLINE/STATUS NOTE: Marked possibly_inactive September 28, 2026: the most recent accelerator cohort announced on kidsx.health is the 2024 cohort (seven companies, post dated May 7, 2024); the /accelerator URL now redirects to an interest intake form that says 'This is NOT an application'; other KidsX programs (CancerX Accelerator, Sprints, pitch competition, a 2026 patient safety innovation challenge) remain active. | Not publishedTerms not disclosed on fetched pages; KidsX has historically been an equity-free, pilot-focused accelerator run by a consortium of children's hospitals, but current equity/fee terms could not be verified, so left null. 10-week virtual/asynchronous program. DEADLINE/STATUS NOTE: Marked possibly_inactive September 28, 2026: the most recent accelerator cohort announced on kidsx.health is the 2024 cohort (seven companies, post dated May 7, 2024); the /accelerator URL now redirects to an interest intake form that says 'This is NOT an application'; other KidsX programs (CancerX Accelerator, Sprints, pitch competition, a 2026 patient safety innovation challenge) remain active. | CA | Remote | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | VerifiedPossibly dormantWe could not confirm a recent or upcoming cohort. It may have paused or wound down. Verify before applying. |
| LACI Incubation Programclean energy, zero-emissions transportation, circular economy | Not publishedPer LACI's Startup Programs page, incubation startups agree to a 1.5% to 3% equity stake in the form of a warrant that can be earned back by achieving impact milestones; no cash investment amount is stated, so investment_amount stays null. Cohort model of on average 15 companies per cohort (Cohort 12 welcomed 13 startups in June 2026), for pre-seed to seed US-based startups with a working prototype (TRL 4+) and a strategy to expand in Southern California. A hybrid curriculum runs during the first six months (the application portal says the first four months are intensive curriculum), then roadmap execution; LACI describes a two-year engagement. Benefits include a weekly one-hour Executive in Residence session, pilot execution support including funding, free hot desk membership, and eligibility to apply to LACI's Impact Fund and Debt Fund (check sizes $50K to $500K). Incubation Cohort 13 applications ran June 1 to July 14, 2026 on the portal; no Cohort 14 window is posted. | 1.5% to 3% (warrant; can be earned back through impact milestones) | Mixed | CA | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| LexisNexis Legal Tech Acceleratorlegal technology | Not publishedMentorship-driven program (weekly sessions with LexisNexis executives, Stanford and Bay Area network); no equity or fees mentioned on the program page, no cash investment (nulls). The page's newest cohort is the fifth, its 2020 teams, planned in a virtual format, and its timeline shows applications closed, so flagged possibly_inactive. No cohort or application window has been announced since 2020; next_deadline null. Program length from a participant's six weeks statement. | Not publishedMentorship-driven program (weekly sessions with LexisNexis executives, Stanford and Bay Area network); no equity or fees mentioned on the program page, no cash investment (nulls). The page's newest cohort is the fifth, its 2020 teams, planned in a virtual format, and its timeline shows applications closed, so flagged possibly_inactive. No cohort or application window has been announced since 2020; next_deadline null. Program length from a participant's six weeks statement. | Equity-free | CA | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | VerifiedPossibly dormantWe could not confirm a recent or upcoming cohort. It may have paused or wound down. Verify before applying. |
| LexLab Legal Tech Accelerator (UC Law San Francisco)legal tech and justice tech (access to justice) | Not publishedTen-week hybrid legal tech accelerator run by LexLab at UC Law San Francisco since 2019, with weekly meetings on Zoom and an in-person Demo Day in San Francisco. The 2026 application says the program is free for startups, with no equity taken and no fees, and no cash investment is offered. Programming covers product development, market fit, sales strategy, pitch refinement and startup funding, with particular interest in ideas that increase access to justice. The most recent call was for a Spring 2026 cohort running from January (per the application) or February (per the program page) to April 2026. As of September 28, 2026 the program page has not posted 2027 dates, and LexLab's events page lists no accelerator Demo Day after November 2024. | Not publishedTen-week hybrid legal tech accelerator run by LexLab at UC Law San Francisco since 2019, with weekly meetings on Zoom and an in-person Demo Day in San Francisco. The 2026 application says the program is free for startups, with no equity taken and no fees, and no cash investment is offered. Programming covers product development, market fit, sales strategy, pitch refinement and startup funding, with particular interest in ideas that increase access to justice. The most recent call was for a Spring 2026 cohort running from January (per the application) or February (per the program page) to April 2026. As of September 28, 2026 the program page has not posted 2027 dates, and LexLab's events page lists no accelerator Demo Day after November 2024. | Equity-free | CA | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| MedTech Innovatormedical devices, diagnostics, digital health | up to $500,000 | Not publishedEquity-free nonprofit accelerator; early-stage (pre-Series B) companies compete for up to $500,000 in non-dilutive awards. No equity taken and no fees. equity_pct null because no equity is taken. Includes complimentary AdvaMed Accel membership and conference registrations. DEADLINE/STATUS NOTE: 2026 cohort application deadline was Dec 16, 2025 (extended), now passed; 2027 applications expected to open in fall 2026 per program site. Program runs Jun-Oct 2026 (~22 weeks, approximate). | Non-dilutive | CA | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| One Mind Acceleratormental health | Not publishedTen-week hybrid accelerator for mental health companies from the nonprofit One Mind, with in-person opening and closing weeks in Menlo Park, California. The FAQ says the accelerator takes a small advisory stake whose percentage varies with each company's stage, and that One Mind may invest in qualified companies after the program; no cash investment and no percentage are published. It selects 10 to 15 startups a year, from pre-seed to Series A, and works with companies worldwide while focusing on the U.S. market; nonprofits are not accepted. The 2027 program runs February 22 to April 28, 2027, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis through October 19, 2026. | Not publishedTen-week hybrid accelerator for mental health companies from the nonprofit One Mind, with in-person opening and closing weeks in Menlo Park, California. The FAQ says the accelerator takes a small advisory stake whose percentage varies with each company's stage, and that One Mind may invest in qualified companies after the program; no cash investment and no percentage are published. It selects 10 to 15 startups a year, from pre-seed to Series A, and works with companies worldwide while focusing on the U.S. market; nonprofits are not accepted. The 2027 program runs February 22 to April 28, 2027, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis through October 19, 2026. | Mixed | CA | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| Plug and Play AgTech & Foodagtech and food corporate-innovation batches | Not publishedOperator releases say Silicon Valley batches run three months and that startups can secure pilots, proofs of concept, and potential investment, all without equity requirements. Agtech was among the programs in the second Silicon Valley batches of 2025 (release dated September 29, 2025) and is listed among the programs presenting at the Silicon Valley November Summit, November 3 to 5, 2026, at Plug and Play's Sunnyvale headquarters. Agtech is among the 13 programs in the Silicon Valley Fall batches of 2026 (release dated September 29, 2026); the March 26, 2026 release on the first 2026 batches listed Food & Beverage but not Agtech. The agtech industry page names Topeka, Kansas, Plug and Play's agtech and animal health hub, as its program location and hosts an open startup intake form (a Western Growers Association form). | Not publishedOperator releases say Silicon Valley batches run three months and that startups can secure pilots, proofs of concept, and potential investment, all without equity requirements. Agtech was among the programs in the second Silicon Valley batches of 2025 (release dated September 29, 2025) and is listed among the programs presenting at the Silicon Valley November Summit, November 3 to 5, 2026, at Plug and Play's Sunnyvale headquarters. Agtech is among the 13 programs in the Silicon Valley Fall batches of 2026 (release dated September 29, 2026); the March 26, 2026 release on the first 2026 batches listed Food & Beverage but not Agtech. The agtech industry page names Topeka, Kansas, Plug and Play's agtech and animal health hub, as its program location and hosts an open startup intake form (a Western Growers Association form). | Equity-free | CA | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| Plug and Play Fintechfintech and insurtech corporate-innovation batches | Not publishedSilicon Valley batches run about three months. The operator's March 26, 2026 batch announcement lists Fintech among the 2026 Silicon Valley batches and states startups can secure pilots, proofs of concept, and potential investment all without equity requirements. Fintech is also among the 13 programs in the Silicon Valley Fall batches of 2026 (release dated September 29, 2026). Fees and investment amounts are not published. | Not publishedSilicon Valley batches run about three months. The operator's March 26, 2026 batch announcement lists Fintech among the 2026 Silicon Valley batches and states startups can secure pilots, proofs of concept, and potential investment all without equity requirements. Fintech is also among the 13 programs in the Silicon Valley Fall batches of 2026 (release dated September 29, 2026). Fees and investment amounts are not published. | Equity-free | CA | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| Plug and Play Health | Not publishedEquity-free, three-month corporate-innovation batches: Plug and Play's March 26, 2026 release says startups can secure pilots, proofs of concept, and potential investment, all without equity requirements, and its accelerator programs page lists 'No Equity Requirement'. No standard cash investment is attached to batch participation, so no investment amount is listed. Health was among the first Silicon Valley batches of 2026 (113 startups across programs) and is listed among the programs presenting at the November 3 to 5, 2026 Silicon Valley Summit. The program, now named Health & Longevity, is also among the 13 programs in the Silicon Valley Fall batches of 2026 (release dated September 29, 2026). Silicon Valley batches run twice a year (first 2026 batches announced March 26, 2026; second 2026 batches announced September 29, 2026); no dated application deadline is published. | Not publishedEquity-free, three-month corporate-innovation batches: Plug and Play's March 26, 2026 release says startups can secure pilots, proofs of concept, and potential investment, all without equity requirements, and its accelerator programs page lists 'No Equity Requirement'. No standard cash investment is attached to batch participation, so no investment amount is listed. Health was among the first Silicon Valley batches of 2026 (113 startups across programs) and is listed among the programs presenting at the November 3 to 5, 2026 Silicon Valley Summit. The program, now named Health & Longevity, is also among the 13 programs in the Silicon Valley Fall batches of 2026 (release dated September 29, 2026). Silicon Valley batches run twice a year (first 2026 batches announced March 26, 2026; second 2026 batches announced September 29, 2026); no dated application deadline is published. | Equity-free | CA | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| Plug and Play Real Estate & Constructionreal estate and construction corporate-innovation batches | Not publishedPlug and Play's Real Estate & Construction program in Silicon Valley, part of its twice-yearly Silicon Valley batches, connects startups in building design, construction, property management and materials with corporate partners such as Arup, Daikin Industries, DivcoWest, Granite Construction, Kajima Corporation and Prologis. Plug and Play's March 26, 2026 release says startups in its three-month programs can secure pilots, proofs of concept and potential investment without equity requirements; no standard cash investment or fee is published. Real Estate & Construction was among the first Silicon Valley batches of 2026. The Silicon Valley Summit page lists it among programs presenting November 3 to 5, 2026, but the September 29, 2026 release on the Fall 2026 batches does not include it among its 13 programs. No dated application window is published. | Not publishedPlug and Play's Real Estate & Construction program in Silicon Valley, part of its twice-yearly Silicon Valley batches, connects startups in building design, construction, property management and materials with corporate partners such as Arup, Daikin Industries, DivcoWest, Granite Construction, Kajima Corporation and Prologis. Plug and Play's March 26, 2026 release says startups in its three-month programs can secure pilots, proofs of concept and potential investment without equity requirements; no standard cash investment or fee is published. Real Estate & Construction was among the first Silicon Valley batches of 2026. The Silicon Valley Summit page lists it among programs presenting November 3 to 5, 2026, but the September 29, 2026 release on the Fall 2026 batches does not include it among its 13 programs. No dated application window is published. | Equity-free | CA | Not published | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| Starburst Aerospace Acceleratoraerospace and defense | Not publishedRuns 20+ partner accelerator programs worldwide (US programs include ICDA in San Marcos TX, IAI CATALYST and the Starburst National Landing Launchpad in Virginia, the NASA Space Health Accelerator, SEISMIC MSI Defense Technology Accelerator, the SATE Accelerator in Washington, and SCALE in Los Angeles with UCLA) alongside a venture investment arm and consulting business. Terms vary by program and are mostly unpublished, so amounts and equity are null. Published examples: the SCALE FAQ says the program is completely free with no cash or equity charge (Department of Commerce funded, 13 weeks, two cohorts per year, pre-seed and seed, TRL 3+, Southern California presence required), though SCALE's page still shows its 2023 Cohort 5 as the latest; IAI CATALYST, run by IAI North America and powered by Starburst for US-based early-stage startups, offers a $100K cash investment plus $100K in in-kind technical support over 20 weeks, and its Cohort 5 took applications March 15 to June 7, 2026 and kicked off September 23, 2026 (demo day March 9, 2027). The IAI CATALYST site shows a countdown for Cohort 6 applications but prints no close date. | Not publishedRuns 20+ partner accelerator programs worldwide (US programs include ICDA in San Marcos TX, IAI CATALYST and the Starburst National Landing Launchpad in Virginia, the NASA Space Health Accelerator, SEISMIC MSI Defense Technology Accelerator, the SATE Accelerator in Washington, and SCALE in Los Angeles with UCLA) alongside a venture investment arm and consulting business. Terms vary by program and are mostly unpublished, so amounts and equity are null. Published examples: the SCALE FAQ says the program is completely free with no cash or equity charge (Department of Commerce funded, 13 weeks, two cohorts per year, pre-seed and seed, TRL 3+, Southern California presence required), though SCALE's page still shows its 2023 Cohort 5 as the latest; IAI CATALYST, run by IAI North America and powered by Starburst for US-based early-stage startups, offers a $100K cash investment plus $100K in in-kind technical support over 20 weeks, and its Cohort 5 took applications March 15 to June 7, 2026 and kicked off September 23, 2026 (demo day March 9, 2027). The IAI CATALYST site shows a countdown for Cohort 6 applications but prints no close date. | Mixed | CA | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| StartOut Growth LabLGBTQ+-founded high-growth startups | Not published'We take zero equity' and no fees; no direct cash investment (mentorship, investor intros, $1M+ in perks/credits), so amounts null by design. 18-month program (recorded as 78 weeks). San Francisco is StartOut Growth Lab's historical base; current delivery format not stated on fetched page, hence format null. Cohort 18 applications closed June 26, 2026 (just before verification date); Cohort 19 window not yet announced, so next_deadline null. | Not published'We take zero equity' and no fees; no direct cash investment (mentorship, investor intros, $1M+ in perks/credits), so amounts null by design. 18-month program (recorded as 78 weeks). San Francisco is StartOut Growth Lab's historical base; current delivery format not stated on fetched page, hence format null. Cohort 18 applications closed June 26, 2026 (just before verification date); Cohort 19 window not yet announced, so next_deadline null. | Equity-free | CA | Not published | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| Techstars Space Acceleratorspace technology | $220,000 total: $20,000 via convertible equity agreement plus $200,000 uncapped MFN SAFE | 5% | Equity for cash | CA | In person | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
Programs that have ended
| Check size | Equity | Terms | Format | Next window | Signal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illumina Ventures Labs (formerly Illumina Accelerator)genomics / NGS applications | up to $200,000 (optional convertible note) plus $20,000 credit line | 7% | Equity for cash | CA | In person | None | Sep 29, 2026 | VerifiedProgram endedThe operator has said this program ended, or its program pages are gone and it has shown no activity for two years or more. We keep the record so its history stays visible. |
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