Plug In Ventures

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.

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

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

• Startup accelerator programs
• Non-dilutive capital funding
• Founder mentorship network
• Pre-seed accelerator services
• Nonprofit venture ecosystem

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VerizoncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2024Verizon 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 DettmercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 May 2024VC law firm Gunderson Dettmer partnered as legal sponsor for Cohort 5, providing legal services and support to portfolio companies.
• NikecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Nike hosted Cohort 4 at their global headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon for an immersive storytelling and narrative workshop, providing industry expertise and mentorship.
• AmazoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon powered the Founder Showcase and Demo Day event, hosting portfolio companies and providing platform visibility.
• Gunderson DettmercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal services sponsor for pitch competitions, providing pro bono legal support to competition participants.
• ChargerHelp!coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlug In Ventures partnered with ChargerHelp! to host events showcasing portfolio companies to Fortune 1000 and 500 Innovation Groups.
• SoCal Innovation AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported event hosting and ecosystem collaboration in Southern California.
• Los Angeles County 2nd DistrictminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment partnership supporting startup ecosystem development in Los Angeles.
• ForbesBLKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCEO 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/pluginventures
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@plug-in-ventures
• Facebookfacebook.com/pluginventures
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plug-in-ventures
• Instagraminstagram.com/pluginventures

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Plug In Ventures