Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity
The Lightship Foundation has launched its Accelerator Program, a 12-week program driving inclusive acceleration, education, and opportunity for minority and female tech founders. The Foundation enhances ecosystems nationwide with remarkable, scalable companies traditional investors often overlook.
Among year-round training and mentorship, the Lightship Accelerator consists of two 6-week targeted “work sprints” that include applied coursework in branding/marketing, product development, practical application of AI, legal considerations, and fundraising.
Funding Information
Lightship invests up to $500,000 each in ten companies per Accelerator cohort in exchange for 5-10% equity. Foundation’s founders also sign a Founder Agreement Form, which outlines expectations including attendance of all Lightship programming and events during their 12 weeks in Cincinnati or Tulsa, in addition to responsibilities around communication with Lightship staff and investors before, during, and after the Accelerator.
What Type Of Companies Are You Looking For?
Ideal Accelerator participants are amazing founders who have created scalable, tech-driven businesses. Their companies are past the idea stage and have products, customers, and revenue. The Foundation also looks for founders who reflect Lightship’s core values: Stewardship. Empowerment. Inclusion. Revolution.
Lightship primarily invests in companies in four verticals: AI, sustainability, E-commerce, CPG, and Health-Tech.
Eligibility Criteria
- Underrepresented founders include any humans having founded a business, who identify as part of a minority group that has traditionally been outside of access to funding. This includes people of color, women, and its friends in the LGBTQIA+ community.
- The Foundation accepts applications from companies all over the country! However, foundation requires companies accepted into the Accelerator be present in Cincinnati or Tulsa during the two 6-week work sprints that make up its programming.
For more information, visit Lightship Foundation.
For more information, visit https://www.lightship.foundation/accelerator