LA Startup Accelerator Deadlines: What's Open This Winter

Accelerator season in Los Angeles runs on a calendar that is easy to miss. Several of the region's best-known programs take applications in November, December and January for cohorts that start in early 2027. If you are a founder thinking about applying, the next eight weeks are your window. Here is what is open, what is coming and how to decide whether a program is worth your time and, in some cases, your equity.

USC and Techstars: final deadline Nov. 18

The USC and Techstars Accelerator is the most time-sensitive option on this list. Its final application deadline is Nov. 18, 2026. The 13-week, in-person program begins March 8, 2027, on USC's University Park campus, and ends with a Demo Day on June 3, 2027.

The program is open to pre-seed and seed-stage companies in any industry. It lists particular interest in bioscience, engineering, AI, healthcare, deep tech and media technology. The key eligibility rule: at least one founding team member must be affiliated with USC as a student, alum, faculty or staff member. Founders affiliated with Keck Medicine of USC and Children's Hospital Los Angeles also qualify.

Techstars says accepted companies receive a $220,000 equity investment, office space for the program and a package of partner perks. That money comes in exchange for equity. Read the investment terms closely and compare them with what you could raise on your own before you sign.

Founder Institute Los Angeles: a pre-seed cohort starting Nov. 27

The Founder Institute's Los Angeles chapter is running a hybrid cohort with required online and in-person sessions. Its calendar shows onboarding on Nov. 20, kickoff on Nov. 27, 2026, and a program end date of Jan. 30, 2027. Founder Institute is aimed at idea-stage and very early founders who want structure and accountability more than a check. The program charges an entrance fee, so check the current amount on the application page.

UCLA Anderson's Accelerate: applications open this month

The Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson's Price Center says applications for its Accelerate program open in November, for a cohort running February to May. The center had not posted an exact opening date when we checked.

Accelerate is built for companies past the idea stage. Applicants should have at least a working prototype or MVP and some early proof of demand, such as pilots, users, revenue, letters of intent, grants or outside funding. Teams of two or more are encouraged, but solo founders can apply. Sessions are mandatory and typically meet once or twice a week during business hours, with a hybrid option. The program is tied to the UCLA ecosystem, so check the eligibility details for your team before you apply.

LACI: cleantech incubation opens Dec. 1

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) will open applications for Incubation Cohort 14 on Dec. 1, 2026, at 8 a.m. Pacific. The portal lists a deadline of Jan. 15, 2027, though other parts of the page still describe it as mid-January, so confirm the date when applications open. LACI plans virtual info sessions in early December and early January.

This is a longer commitment than a typical accelerator. LACI describes a two-year program for startups in clean energy, zero-emission transportation, and smart and sustainable cities. The first four months are a hybrid development period at the La Kretz Innovation Campus in the Arts District. After that, each company works with a dedicated executive in residence on a custom roadmap covering fundraising, pilots, partnerships and hiring.

Grid110: free and equity-free, worth watching

Grid110, the downtown nonprofit, runs programs that charge nothing and take no equity. Its Launchpad program is a 10-week virtual track for companies headquartered in the City of Los Angeles that have been operating for at least a year and want to grow. It includes weekly two-hour live sessions, a peer group, mentors and more than $100,000 in platform and tool credits. Its 2025 class had 19 companies. Grid110's program pages did not show an open application when we checked. If you fit the profile, join the mailing list so you hear when the next round opens.

How to choose, and how to apply well

Match the program to your stage. An idea-stage founder and a company with paying customers need different things. Founder Institute suits the first. UCLA's Accelerate and USC and Techstars expect a product and some traction. LACI wants a defined cleantech solution.

Do the equity math. Programs that invest usually take a stake. Ask what percentage they take and on what terms, and ask alumni whether the network and investor access were worth it.

Count the hours. Mandatory weekly sessions add up. Make sure you can keep selling and building while you attend.

Write a tight application. Reviewers see a lot of them. Lead with the problem, your proof that customers care, and why your team is the one to solve it. Use numbers you can back up.

Don't wait for the deadline. Submitting early leaves time to fix a broken link, gather references or answer follow-up questions.

Deadlines and terms can change, so confirm every date on each program's official page before you plan around it.