Top Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Los Angeles, USA

Los Angeles has become a vibrant startup hub, leveraging its unique position at the intersection of entertainment, technology, and innovation. The city's diverse economy, creative heritage, and strong entertainment Hollywood industry create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs across multiple sectors, from media tech to aerospace, healthcare, and clean technology.

This guide explores the leading accelerators and incubators shaping Los Angeles's evolving startup landscape. These programs support domestic and international startups seeking to establish themselves in the American market.

Top 20 Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Los Angeles, USA

1. Cedars-Sinai Accelerator

Target Audience: Healthcare technology startups.

Niche: Healthcare innovation and medical technology.

Cedars-Sinai Accelerator is a premier healthcare accelerator backed by one of the nation's leading medical centers. It offers a comprehensive three-month program with $100,000 in funding for selected startups. The accelerator provides direct access to clinicians, healthcare professionals, and Cedars-Sinai's extensive infrastructure. It also creates opportunities for startups to pilot solutions within a major healthcare system, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, and patient care innovations.

2. Disney Accelerator

Target Audience: Media and entertainment technology startups.

Niche: Entertainment technology.

Disney Accelerator is a prestigious three-to-four-month program backed by global entertainment leader Disney. It provides investments ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 and mentorship from Disney executives. It offers unique access to Disney's creative and technical expertise while allowing companies to retain IP rights. It also creates pathways for startups to collaborate with Disney's entertainment empire.

3. Techstars Los Angeles

Target Audience: Early-stage technology startups.

Niche: Technology innovation.

Techstars LA is a leading accelerator offering $120,000 investment for 6% equity in selected startups. It provides an intensive three-month program with mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and investors. The program focuses on artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and entertainment technology innovations. Techstars' global network of founders and investors creates valuable connections.

4. Amplify LA

Target Audience: Pre-seed technology ventures.

Niche: Software and direct-to-consumer brands.

Amplify LA is an established accelerator that provides $50,000 to $200,000 in seed funding for promising startups. It offers a comprehensive 4-to-8-month program with dedicated workspace and mentorship. The program focuses on software solutions and consumer brand development.

5. Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)

Target Audience: Climate technology startups.

Niche: Clean energy and sustainable cities.

LACI is a leading cleantech accelerator offering up to $160,000 in grant funding for selected startups. It provides access to specialized labs and pilot program opportunities. Focusing on zero-emission transportation and smart city solutions, LACI creates pathways for clean technology commercialization and urban sustainability.

6. MuckerLab

Target Audience: B2C and SaaS startups.

Niche: Direct-to-consumer technology.

MuckerLab is a premier accelerator that invests $100,000 to $175,000 for 8-15% equity in selected companies. It offers flexible program lengths tailored to each startup's needs. MuckerLab focuses on building scalable internet businesses with proven success stories and creates valuable outcomes through strategic support and capital investment.

7. Grid110

Target Audience: Early-stage founders.

Niche: Sector-agnostic technology.

Grid110 is a unique, no-cost, no-equity program supporting early-stage entrepreneurship in Los Angeles. It provides $20,000 in grants through its "Friends & Family" track alongside mentorship. It also offers co-working space and comprehensive support for emerging founders and creates opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs to establish and grow their ventures.

8. Science Inc.

Target Audience: Direct-to-consumer and mobile startups.

Niche: E-commerce and marketplaces.

Science Inc. is an innovative venture studio model that combines capital investment with hands-on operational support. It works closely with portfolio companies to develop and scale their businesses and creates value through deep operational expertise and strategic guidance.

9. Starburst Aerospace Accelerator

Target Audience: Aerospace technology startups.

Niche: Defense and space technology.

Starburst is a specialized accelerator that connects aerospace startups with major industry players. It offers a 13-week program with access to NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and aerospace investors. The program provides unique networking opportunities within the aerospace sector and creates pathways for space technology commercialization.

10. Founder Institute Los Angeles

Target Audience: Pre-seed entrepreneurs.

Niche: Sector-agnostic.

Founder Institute LA is a structured four-month pre-seed accelerator program with a proven curriculum. Alumni have collectively raised over $1.85 billion in funding. The program provides a comprehensive foundation for early-stage entrepreneurs and creates a systematic approach to startup development and growth.

11. UCLA Anderson Venture Accelerator

Target Audience: UCLA-affiliated startups.

Niche: Multi-sector innovation.

UCLA Anderson is a six-month program that leverages UCLA's extensive resources and network. It focuses on enterprise technology and life sciences ventures, provides comprehensive mentorship, and provides access to university resources. It creates a bridge between academic innovation and commercial success.

12. MiLA Capital (Make in LA)

Target Audience: Hardware startups.

Niche: Food technology and climate solutions.

Make in LA is a specialized accelerator investing $100,000 to $500,000 in pre-seed hardware startups. It offers weekly venture capital networking and prototyping support, provides unique resources for hardware development and manufacturing, and creates pathways for hardware innovations to reach the market.

13. Launchpad LA

Target Audience: Post-MVP technology startups.

Niche: Tech-enabled ventures.

Launchpad LA provides $25,000 to $100,000 in funding alongside free Santa Monica office space. It offers direct access to investor networks and mentorship and creates a supportive environment for technology startup growth. It focuses on helping startups achieve significant market traction.

14. Expert Dojo

Target Audience: Underrepresented founders.

Niche: Diverse-led startups.

Expert Dojo invests $25,000 to $100,000 initially, with follow-on funding up to $1 million. Through targeted support, it prioritizes women's and POC-led ventures. It provides comprehensive mentorship and growth resources and creates opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs to succeed.

15. Idealab

Target Audience: Technology disruptors.

Niche: AI, robotics, and clean energy.

Idealab is a veteran incubator founded in 1996, with over 150 companies launched. It has a strong track record, including successful companies like Twilio and Coinbase. Idealab focuses on socially impactful technology solutions and creates long-term value through systematic company building.

16. Long Beach Accelerator

Target Audience: Early-stage technology ventures.

Niche: General technology.

Long Beach Accelerator is a four-month program with strong government partnerships and funding access. It focuses on market fit development and scaling strategies. It provides comprehensive support for technology startup growth and creates connections between startups and the local business ecosystem.

17. USC Viterbi Startup Garage

Target Audience: Deep technology innovators.

Niche: AI and machine learning.

USC Viterbi offers $50,000 in funding to USC-affiliated deep technology startups. It provides access to specialized labs and technical expertise, focuses on artificial intelligence and advanced computing solutions, and creates pathways for deep technology commercialization.

18. Yellow (by Snap Inc.)

Target Audience: Creative technology startups.

Niche: AR and social media.

Yellow is Snap's 13-week accelerator, investing $150,000 in creative technology startups. It focuses on innovations at the intersection of creativity and technology, provides access to Snap's technical expertise and market reach, and creates opportunities for startups to integrate with Snap's ecosystem.

19. FoundersBoost

Target Audience: Pre-accelerator startups.

Niche: Sector-agnostic.

FoundersBoost is a six-week program that prepares founders for seed funding opportunities. It takes no equity while providing foundational support and guidance. It focuses on early-stage startup development and preparation and creates a pathway for startups to enter major accelerator programs.

20. MedTech Innovator

Target Audience: Healthcare technology startups.

Niche: Medical devices and digital health.

MedTech Innovator is the world's largest medical technology accelerator. It offers a 16-week intensive program, industry partnerships, and pilot opportunities for selected startups. The accelerator focuses on advancing medical device and digital health innovations and creating pathways for medical technology commercialization.

AcceleratorApp's Closing Thoughts on Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Los Angeles, USA

Los Angeles has a strong startup ecosystem with many different accelerators and incubators. This ecosystem combines:

• A focus on entertainment and media technology
• Innovation in healthcare and medical technology
• Development in aerospace and defense technology
• A commitment to sustainability and clean technology
• Support for diverse and underrepresented founders

The ecosystem helps startups at various stages and in different sectors. Many programs provide funding, important industry connections, specialized resources, and expert mentorship.