Accelerators seeking Jewish founders

They include UpStart Venture Accelerator, OU Impact Accelerator and JFE Accelerator

For startups, there are numerous paths for getting their name out there. One way, which Vator has been covering recently, are startup competitions, but another popular method to get a foot in the door, as well as some funding and traction, are accelerators. These are programs that provide companies advice, guidance and various forms of support for startups in their early stages. They also often invest in the companies, for a certain equity stake.

Need a list of startup competitions, challenges, accelerators, etc. from around the world? Check out VatorX. You can find them, or list yours!

There are some very well-known accelerators out there, including Y Combinator and 500 Startups, which have made their names through various successful alumni. Those programs fairly general, accepting companies from a variety of different spaces. 

For some companies, it may help to join an accelerator that only focuses on their specific area. That's especially true for those in more specialized spaces, which will have their own unique challenges and regulations.

Here are some of the accelerators seeking Jewish founders:

 

• UpStart Venture Accelerator

"Our community’s trailblazing rabbis, educators, and other leaders have invaluable knowledge of Jewish practice, text, and community…yet they often struggle with the business know-how and resources needed to take their organizations to the next level.

The Venture Accelerator provides a select cohort of the most promising Jewish ventures with the necessary training, connections, and funding to activate a plan for sustained growth and impact."

Investment amount: Not specified

Program benefits: Over the course of 18-months, participants receive hands-on training on crucial areas of venture development. Each venture becomes a part of our trailblazing network, a diverse group of entrepreneurs, consultants, advisors, funders, and alumni. Participating ventures also gain access to a pool of unrestricted funding (up to $100K), which encourages them to experiment and maximize their growth and impact. These ventures will shape Jewish life for years to come.

Portfolio companies: BaMidbar Wilderness Therapy, jGirls Magazine, Judaism Your Way, Tzedek America

 

• OU Impact Accelerator

"The OU Impact Accelerator identifies and advances the top Jewish nonprofits. Through education, mentorship, and collaboration, we aim to accelerate great leaders who are addressing our communal challenges."

Investment amount: Receive up to $25K for your nonprofit venture

Program benefits: 

Portfolio companies: GrowTorah, imadi, Nechamacomfort, TorahAnytime

 

 

• JFE Accelerator

"JFE Accelerator was launched in 2013 as a program run by JFE (Jews For Entrepreneurship) Organization, a non profit 501©3 organization founded in 2009 in San Francisco.JFE Accelerator Since its founding by Jenny Belotserkovsky and Michal Tavrovsky, JFE Organization has become the leading network of founders, investors, and technologists across both Silicon Valley and New York."

Investment amount: $20k investment. %5-7 depending on the startup’s stage

Program benefits: The accelerator is an intense program that includes mentor office hours with top industry experts, business development workshops, weekly speaker sessions, legal frameworks, and one on one meetings with leading investment firms and angel investors in New York City. Startups will have a full time work office space at Cowork.rs NYC.

Mentor makeup: Mitchell Golner, Jessica Cohen, Jonathan Hershman, Daniel Ujvari

Portfolio companies: Credex, Linkbig, Snappy, Akross, Greetly, RoomHunt

 

 

• Jumpstart Labs

"Jumpstart was founded in 2008 by Joshua Avedon and Shawn Landres as a “thinkubator” for new approaches to building organizations within and beyond the Jewish community. The impetus was an explosion of creative social entrepreneurship giving shape to emergent projects growing outside the walls of institutional organizations. This new approach was evidenced across faith communities as creative leaders sought ways to express their values using the latest tools and technologies for social benefit and community building."

Investment amount: Jumpstart acts as a fiscal sponsor to a number of creative projects in the U.S., Europe, and Israel. As fiscal sponsor we’re responsible for re-granting money from our sponsored projects’ funders, and accountable for their expenditures doing charitable works. We also offer service grants – when a funder gives Jumpstart resources to work with a specific project.

Program benefits: We help them make sure their funding has real impact with measurable results. We work with their grantees to help them build well-run businesses, as well as assist them in exercising the kind of stewardship that foundations expect. We also share knowledge and establish best practices, as well as analyze, evaluate, reflect, and opine on developments in the field, so philanthropists can make informed choices about where to put their money.

Portfolio companies: Not specified

 

 

• Florida-Israel Business Launch Accelerator

Investment amount: The FIBA Launch Program is offered at no upfront cost to the Israeli company. For any successful sales or investment, FIBA will receive a commission (% of revenue) and/or finder’s fee (sliding scale based on the amount raised).

Program benefits:

• One-on-one investor meetings and pitch opportunities.
• Sales meetings with potential customers.
• Meet the Tampa Bay business community through public and private networking events.
• Additional immersion opportunities in Florida.

Portfolio companies: Agamon, BuilderEdge, MedFlyt, BetterCare

 

• The Olami Impact Accelerator

"The Olami Impact Accelerator is a one-year program for 500 selected top young leaders from around the world who want to make a big impact in the Jewish world on a global platform."

Investment amount: Not specified

Program benefits: 

• Leaders will meet CEOs, donors, MK’s from the State of Israel and social media gurus both online and offline at our weekends and Global Leaders Forum. They will learn from the best in real time and see how their vision could become a reality.
• Participants will become part of the family and connect with over 500 change-makers from all across the world. Olami is in 320 locations. They will always have a place to stay now when they travel! They will inspire each other and make a difference together.
• Participants will learn about what it means to be a Jew and leadership from a Jewish perspective. They will gain confidence in what they are leading.
• #BeTheChange Real leaders are always growing, developing and learning. We have mentors who can help them actualize their full potential.
• Participants will gain practical skills in the areas of social media, public speaking, pitching, fundraising and how to run events.

Portfolio companies: Not specified 

(Image source: unitedwithisrael.org)