Plug In Ventures
Plug In Ventures is a nonprofit tech accelerator founded in 2015 that supports underrepresented Black and Latinx founders from pre-seed to Series A readiness through tiered programs, mentorship, non-dilutive capital, and corporate partnership pathways across Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Plug In Ventures does
Plug In Ventures is a nonprofit tech accelerator and founder ecosystem founded in 2015 in South Los Angeles, with operations now spanning Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta. It serves early-stage and venture-backable founders from underrepresented communities—primarily Black and Latinx—through tiered programs designed to bridge the gap from idea-stage to Series A readiness, addressing the structural gap in which less than 1% of venture capital reaches these founders. The organization has supported more than 1,200 founders since inception, with alumni companies raising over $30M in follow-on capital.
The organization operates multiple interconnected program tiers: the Pre-Accelerator for pre-seed founders, the Tech Accelerator Program for growth-stage companies, and the Enterprise Growth Residency (a 12-month, outcomes-focused program launched in 2026 for late seed-stage Enterprise AI and Automation companies that have raised $1M-$3M+ and have $100K-$500K ARR). Supporting offerings include a Membership Platform for community access, LABs and Events for ongoing founder development, a curated mentor and EIR network, pitch competition prizes of $25K, and non-dilutive grants. The Pre-Accelerator and main Tech Accelerator form the foundation, while the Enterprise Growth Residency and AI Apps Pre-Seed Accelerator signal a deliberate thematic emphasis on AI-enabled enterprise software founders.
The business model is nonprofit: revenue derives from grants (notably a $1M California Office of the Small Business Advocate grant in 2024, disbursed over four years), corporate and institutional sponsorships with partners such as Verizon, Nike, Amazon, Gunderson Dettmer, NBA Foundation, California Health Care Foundation, and PledgeLA, alongside membership fees. The organization historically operated with no equity take and has begun to offer optional equity investment (5%-7% ownership) for selected future cohorts. Distribution occurs through direct program applications, an open membership platform, and partnership channels into California, New York, and Atlanta founder communities.
Plug In Ventures firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Plug In Ventures
- Legal name
- Plug In Ventures
- Website
- https://pluginventures.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Plug In Ventures is a nonprofit tech accelerator founded in 2015 that supports underrepresented Black and Latinx founders from pre-seed to Series A readiness through tiered programs, mentorship, non-dilutive capital, and corporate partnership pathways across Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Plug In Ventures industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Accelerator & Founder Ecosystem Services
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), Development Finance, Guarantees & Blended Finance Programs (BPADABAM)
Keywords
Where Plug In Ventures is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Plug In Ventures business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Program Services and Accelerator Operations: Plug In Ventures operates as a nonprofit organization providing accelerator programs, mentorship, and ecosystem support to early-stage startups. Revenue is generated through program participation, membership fees, and sponsorship arrangements with corporate partners and government entities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Enterprise Growth Residency - Non-dilutive capital and program access |
| Subscription | Annual | Pre-Accelerator Program - Early-stage founder support |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Pitch Competition Prizes |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Plug In Ventures product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Plug In Ventures is a nonprofit tech accelerator and ecosystem that supports underrepresented Black and Latinx founders through multi-stage accelerator programs (Pre-Accelerator, Tech Accelerator Program, Enterprise Growth Residency), mentorship, non-dilutive capital, community membership, and demo days. Revenue is generated through grants, corporate sponsorships, and membership fees, with programs targeting founders from pre-seed through Series A readiness.
Product overview
Plug In Ventures operates as a tech accelerator ecosystem offering multiple interconnected programs for underrepresented founders (Black & Latinx). The core portfolio includes the Pre-Accelerator for early-stage founders (pre-revenue, pre-MVP), the Tech Accelerator Program for growth-stage companies, and the Enterprise Growth Residency for late seed-stage Enterprise AI companies. Supporting offerings include LABs & Events for founder development, a Membership Platform for community access, a Mentor Network of industry experts, and Non-Dilutive Capital Programs including grants and pitch competition prizes. The Pre-Accelerator and main Tech Accelerator form the foundation, while the Enterprise Growth Residency represents the evolution targeting Series A-readiness for AI companies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pre-Accelerator A pre-seed acceleration program designed for early-stage Black and Latinx founders who are serious about moving from idea to traction. Provides tools, mentorship, and connections to help founders take their next big step, whether fundraising, launching, or accelerating growth.
- Tech Accelerator Program A growth-stage accelerator connecting capital-ready founders to capital and pilot opportunities. Features weekly meetings, special in-person sessions, networking events, off-site workshops, and culminates in a Founders Showcase. Currently recruiting for Cohort 5.
- Enterprise Growth Residency A 12-month, execution-focused accelerator program designed specifically for late seed-stage Enterprise AI and Automation founders ready to build the commercial engine required for Series A. Provides $50K-$100K non-dilutive capital, enterprise sales development, curated investor access, and specialized mentor network. Targets 3-4 companies per cohort. Applications close March 31, 2026.
- AI Apps Pre-Seed Accelerator A self-paced, virtual pre-seed accelerator for early-stage founders building AI applications. Nine learning modules with four moderated sessions over a two-month period. Industry-agnostic with mentorship access and pitch competition opportunities.
- LABs & Events A series of interactive talks, workshops, and curated events focused on founder development. Includes tech demos, founder showcases, demo days, and networking events designed for builders and innovators.
- Membership Platform Community membership providing access to Plug In's network of startups, founders, investors, and ecosystem partners. Includes community portal access, founder ecosystem, and ongoing engagement opportunities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% of program founders secure paying customers before raising venture capital
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Plug In Ventures
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Plug In Ventures technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Plug In Ventures partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- VerizoncoreVerizon partnered with Plug In Ventures as a sponsor for Cohort 5 of the Accelerator Program, supporting early-stage startups led by Black and Brown founders in technology.
- Gunderson DettmercoreVC law firm Gunderson Dettmer partnered as legal sponsor for Cohort 5, providing legal services and support to portfolio companies.
- NikecoreNike hosted Cohort 4 at their global headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon for an immersive storytelling and narrative workshop, providing industry expertise and mentorship.
- AmazoncoreAmazon powered the Founder Showcase and Demo Day event, hosting portfolio companies and providing platform visibility.
- Gunderson DettmercoreLegal services sponsor for pitch competitions, providing pro bono legal support to competition participants.
- ChargerHelp!corePlug In Ventures partnered with ChargerHelp! to host events showcasing portfolio companies to Fortune 1000 and 500 Innovation Groups.
- SoCal Innovation AllianceminorSupported event hosting and ecosystem collaboration in Southern California.
- Los Angeles County 2nd DistrictminorGovernment partnership supporting startup ecosystem development in Los Angeles.
- ForbesBLKminorCEO Derek Smith spoke at ForbesBLK Summit on capital raising panel, expanding visibility for Plug In ecosystem.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Plug In Ventures competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Techstars: Techstars is a global accelerator network with industry- and geography-specific cohorts, providing seed capital, mentorship, and investor introductions. Its multi-vertical, cohort-based structure and equity model directly mirror Plug In's Tech Accelerator and Enterprise Growth Residency programs.
- Y Combinator: Y Combinator is the largest and most visible global tech accelerator, running cohort-based programs that provide seed capital, mentorship, and demo-day exposure. It is the benchmark accelerator against which Plug In Ventures' tiered, mentorship-heavy model is compared, though YC is not focused on underrepresented founders.
- gener8tor: gener8tor runs multiple accelerator tracks (including gBETA pre-accelerator and industry-specific programs) with a $100K investment, mirroring Plug In's tiered Pre-Accelerator/Accelerator structure and equity-based participation. Comparable in scale and program design for early-stage founders.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Plug and Play is a Silicon Valley-headquartered startup accelerator and venture platform running industry-specific cohorts (fintech, health, brand & retail) with corporate partner integrations. Comparable to Plug In Ventures' corporate-partner-driven, cohort-based accelerator model serving early-stage tech founders.
- Visible Hands: Visible Hands is a venture firm and accelerator focused on supporting Black, Latinx, and other underrepresented founders in tech through cohorts, capital, and a 14-week program. Closely comparable to Plug In Ventures in target demographic, cohort model, and stage of support.
- NewMe Accelerator: NewMe is a US-based accelerator for Black and Latinx founders that provides mentorship, capital, and demo-day exposure. Direct peer in mission and target founder segment, with overlapping programming for underrepresented early-stage tech startups.
- MassChallenge: MassChallenge is a global, zero-equity, nonprofit accelerator supporting early-stage startups across multiple industries and geographies with mentorship and corporate partnerships. Comparable to Plug In Ventures on the no-equity/nonprofit model and the emphasis on community-driven founder support.
- Backstage Capital Accelerator: Backstage Capital is a VC fund and accelerator explicitly focused on underrepresented founders (women, people of color, LGBTQ+), providing mentorship, capital, and a 3-month accelerator. Most directly comparable to Plug In Ventures on mission and target founder segment.
Regional players
- Grid110: Grid110 is a Los Angeles-based accelerator for early-stage startups, primarily serving the LA tech ecosystem. Comparable as a SoCal-based regional accelerator supporting early-stage founders, though with a broader demographic focus than Plug In Ventures.
Emerging players
- Jumpstart Nova: Jumpstart Nova is a venture fund dedicated to Black-founded healthcare innovation companies, with a partner (Kathryne Cooper) sitting on Plug In Ventures' board. Comparable on the diversity-investing thesis and partial overlap on healthcare founder support.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Plug In Ventures social profiles
Digital presencePlug In Ventures financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Plug In Ventures leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Plug In Ventures funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Plug In Ventures M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Plug In Ventures
What does Plug In Ventures do?
Plug In Ventures is a nonprofit tech accelerator and ecosystem that supports underrepresented Black and Latinx founders through multi-stage accelerator programs (Pre-Accelerator, Tech Accelerator Program, Enterprise Growth Residency), mentorship, non-dilutive capital, community membership, and demo days. Revenue is generated through grants, corporate sponsorships, and membership fees, with programs targeting founders from pre-seed through Series A readiness.
Is Plug In Ventures a public or private company?
Plug In Ventures is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Plug In Ventures founded?
Plug In Ventures was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Plug In Ventures based?
Plug In Ventures is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Plug In Ventures make money?
One revenue line is on record: program Services and Accelerator Operations.
Who are Plug In Ventures's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Techstars, Y Combinator, gener8tor, Plug and Play Tech Center, Visible Hands, NewMe Accelerator, MassChallenge and Backstage Capital Accelerator. Grid110 is listed as a regional player. Jumpstart Nova is listed as an emerging player.
Does Plug In Ventures have an API?
No public API is recorded for Plug In Ventures.
What industry is Plug In Ventures in?
Plug In Ventures's product category is Startup Accelerator & Founder Ecosystem Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated), with a secondary code of EDAMAHAA, Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics. Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8742.