The Incubation Program offers hands-on incubation services for supporting cleantech startups grow in Southern California. The first six months of the program are dedicated to curriculum workshops, one on one sessions and roundtables focused on Market and Investor Readiness. After the six-month period, the program is focused on achieving the objectives outlined in a custom roadmap around fundraising, product development, market access, team growth, and partnerships.
Benefits of the program include:
- Advanced curriculum (workshops, trainings, and one on one meetings) around Market Readiness and Investor Readiness during the first six months
- Custom roadmap of your startup’s objectives and milestones during the program designed with dedicated EIR (Executive in Residence)
- Eligible up to $20,000 in funding for small-scale pilot opportunities
- Regular access to partners, customers and investors through workshops, roundtables, clinics and one on one meetings
- Access to funding through the LACI Impact Fund and the to-be-launched Debt Fund.
- Program length: 2 years
Program start: Summer 2022
Program cost: 1.5-3% equity stake in the form of a warrant with the opportunity to earn back through achieving impact milestones
Candidate Qualifications
- Startups must:
- Have a cleantech solution that addresses one of our three priority areas: Clean Energy, Zero Emissions Transportation and Smart & Sustainable Cities: Circular Economy.
- Own or license a novel proprietary technology.
- Have a significant presence (operations or sales) in Southern California with founder or key executive able to attend meetings, workshops and events on campus at short notice.
- Have at least 2 full-time employees.
- Have a working prototype (TRL 4+).
- Commit to all curriculum opportunities in first 6-months.
- We evaluate based on:
- Technology type, credibility and innovation.
- Investability of a startup based on their market, business model, technology, and competitive advantage.
- Environmental and community impact of the solution.
- Potential for the startup to grow their team, operations and sales in the Los Angeles region.
- Founder and team’s coachability, experience, and commitment.
- Startup’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
- Overall fit of startup and team within the LACI community.
Application Process
For any questions about the application process, please contact LACI’s Pipeline Coordinator: Georgie Walker - georgina@laci.org
- Application: The application has two parts: Initial Application and Long Application. If the application meets the basic eligibility criteria collected in the Initial Application, applicants will be notified to fill out a Long Application.
- You will receive an email notification confirming your submission with an outline of next steps. Please be sure to submit your application completely by clicking "Review & Submit" in the portal after completing your application.
- Deadline for the Initial Application is January 19, 2020.
- Evaluation: Our Technical Review Committee evaluates applications based on a weighted rubric system.
- Diligence & Interview: Top rated applicants move on to a diligence period that coincides with an in-person interview where we explore the overall program fit.
- Selection & Offer: Startups selected to join the program will receive an offer and have 10-days to review and accept before Program Start.
Please make sure to have the following materials prepared to submit with your application:
- Application
- Complete investor facing pitch deck
- Technical summary document(s) (i.e white paper, technical overview, roadmap)
- Team bios
- Legal Diligence
- Capitalization table
- Corporation documents
- Governing documents
- Patent documents
- Full list upon request
- Financial Diligence
- Monthly historical summaries
- Pro-forma model
About LACI
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), a City of Los Angeles established nonprofit organization, is creating an inclusive green economy by: unlocking innovation through working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies; transforming markets through partnerships with policymakers, innovators and market leaders in transportation, energy and sustainable cities; and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots and other programs. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI. Learn more at laci.org
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