The accelerators actually operating in SoCal
28 independent programs, hand-verified — focus, location, and how to apply, not just a name and a logo.
Looking for a campus program instead? 19 university-run accelerators & incubators →
ACCELERATORS
FoundersBoost
Los Angeles, CA
A 6-week, no-fee, no-equity pre-accelerator that prepares early-stage founders for accelerators, seed investment, and revenue. Founded in Los Angeles in 2017 (originally as Startup Boost), it has since expanded to 20+ programs worldwide and helped over 600 startups, whose alumni have gone on to raise more than $400M and been accepted into Y Combinator, Techstars, and a16z.
M Accelerator
Los Angeles, CA
A Los Angeles venture studio and accelerator running cohort programs (Founders Cohorts, Web3 Nexus, and business-idea tracks) for early-stage and scaling founders. Operating for 10 years, with 500+ companies through its programs.
MedTech Innovator
Los Angeles, CA
A global accelerator for medical device, digital health, and diagnostics startups, headquartered in Los Angeles. Runs an annual competition and accelerator program connecting founders with medtech industry mentors and investors.
NerdStage
Los Angeles, CA
A 4-week pitch and fundraising accelerator combining two 2-week remote sprints with 1-on-1 coaching and group workshops, culminating in a Demo Day where founders pitch on stage to investors. Also organizes a recurring LA events calendar (Demo Day LA, Startup Arena, LA Tech Happy Hour).
Plug and Play Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
The Los Angeles location of Plug and Play, a global innovation platform connecting corporations to startups. Focuses on LA's strengths in media, entertainment, and retail, running structured accelerator programs like the SHOPLINE Future Commerce Accelerator alongside corporate partnership programs.
Starburst
Los Angeles, CA
Global aerospace and defense innovation firm combining startup accelerators, strategy consulting, and venture investments. Running since 2012, with roughly 150 portfolio startups and 60 corporate and government partners across nine hubs worldwide, including Los Angeles.
Techstars Healthcare (Cedars-Sinai Accelerator)
Los Angeles, CA
Launched by Cedars-Sinai and Techstars as a fixed-term, cohort-based accelerator. Gives digital-health startups $120K in funding plus a three-month mentorship program with senior Cedars-Sinai clinicians and the Techstars network; now past its 10th cohort.
Techstars Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
A 3-month mentorship-driven Techstars cohort program launched in 2023, backed by an $80M platform fund from Techstars and J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Each class runs about 12-13 startups spanning healthcare, e-commerce, retail enablement, deep tech, aerospace, and defense.
LACI (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator)
Los Angeles, CA
A nonprofit incubator focused on cleantech and climate technology, with an emphasis on transportation electrification. Works closely with the City of Los Angeles on climate and clean-mobility initiatives.
SCALE Aerospace Ventures
Los Angeles, CA
An aerospace and space-tech incubator formed as a UCLA and Starburst Aerospace partnership, backed by $1.4M in federal funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration matched by $1.4M in private funds. It targets accelerating more than 45 startups over three years.