24 Startup Incubators in the Los Angeles Area
/Below is our best shot at compiling a comprehensive list of incubators (in no particular order) in the LA and surrounding areas. It's worth nothing many of the finest technology incubators operate outside of LA, so if you’re willing to travel, there’s even more opportunity out there. (For reference, here’s a ranking of the Top 15 on a national level.) This list is focused on Los Angeles-area programs.
The startup ecosystem has exploded over the past several years, offering tremendous opportunities for support, resources, mentorship, funding and education. Startup founders need all of those things to succeed, and for some teams, an incubator may be a good way to get them. Joining one can provide quick access to a supportive network of experienced experts and fellow entrepreneurs, as well as helpful resources and small amounts of funding.
Please note we are not endorsing or recommending any of these programs. We are offering the list as a starting point for your own research and due diligence. As with any important decision, we recommend consulting with your trusted advisors before joining an incubator, as it is a significant business decision. It's an investment of time (and in some cases, equity), so you want to be sure you are getting value and surrounding yourself with the right people.
If we’ve left any off this list, please let us know and we’ll do our best to keep it complete and up-to-date.
Idealab, Pasadena, CA
Idealab infuses start-ups with the support they need to rapidly introduce innovative products and services. Resources include office space and the accompanying office services, development and technology, product and graphic design, marketing, financial advice, human resources, competitive research, legal, accounting and business development support and services.
Science Inc., Santa Monica, CA
Science funds, develops and advises companies focused on solving the everyday problems of modern living. Both create and develop their own business ideas in-house and acquire other Internet startups with the aim of scaling them.
LACleanTech Incubator, Los Angeles, CA
LACleanTech accept early-stage clean-tech companies launching new projects and international companies looking to enter the US market.
Originate Labs, Los Angeles, CA
Works hands-on with entrepreneurs, start-ups, and enterprises to rapidly build modern mobile, web, and data-driven applications.
Founder Institute LA, Santa Monica, CA
Offer four-month, part-time program for founders, enabling participants to “learn by doing” and launch a company through structured training courses, practical business-building assignments, and expert feedback.
MuckerLab, Santa Monica, CA
MuckerLab is a privately funded startup accelerator focused on incubation-stage Internet software, services and media ventures in the Los Angeles market. They provide entrepreneurs with funding, put them through a structured, three-month-long program and give them access to a deep network of top-tier mentors and advisors.
Amplify, Venice, CA
Amplify is a hands-on startup accelerator and multi-faceted entrepreneurial campus in Los Angeles. They help startups grow by providing seed funding, mentorship, strategic resources and access to additional capital.
The Business Technology Center, Los Angeles County, CA
Provides early-stage technology firms business management assistance, technical assistance, and the coordination of available financial resources.
Startup Minds, Los Angeles, CA
Helps turn business ideas into Minimum Viable Products, by guiding founders through the critical yet often overlooked processes of market research and customer development.
Make In LA, Chatsworth, CA
Hardware accelerator Dedicated to launching and keeping product-focused businesses in LA.
Smashd Labs, Culver City, CA
SMASHD Labs is a 10-week accelerator program in Los Angeles, led by Atom Factory focused on early-stage companies at the intersection of culture and technology.
Startburst Accelerator, El Segundo, CA
Provides access to seed funding from top angels and VC firms dedicated to aerospace, defense and security.
Techstars Healthcare Accelerator, West Hollywood, CA
In partnership with Cedars-Sinai, focused on technology innovators in health care sector. Offers access to Cedars-Sinai’s clinical expertise and information infrastructure including hardware, software and digital health technical resources; Mentorship from Cedars-Sinai physicians, researchers, healthcare professionals and executives; Access to Techstars’ network of over 7,000 successful entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and corporate partners.
UCLA Anderson Accelerator, Westwood, CA
Focused on UCLA startups, the accelerator is a central meeting place for UCLA’s multidisciplinary communities to pool resources, whether they are aspiring Anderson entrepreneurs, students or qualified alumni partnering with campus researchers. Accelerator members enjoy guest speakers, topical seminars and “demo days” for resident companies.
The Design Accelerator, Pasadena, CA
The Design Accelerator focuses on early stage design and technology businesses. They use low-cost startup management techniques to spur growth.
Disney Accelerator, Los Angeles, CA
Disney Accelerator, powered by Techstars, is helping today’s technology innovators turn their dreams for new media and entertainment experiences into reality.
Start Engine, Santa Monica, CA
Start Engine is a rapid accelerator focused on helping Los Angeles-based technology startups build a solid foundation for success in 90 days.
USC Viterbi Startup Garage, Los Angeles, CA
Viterbi Startup Garage is a 12 week technology accelerator program that includes $20k in funding, space, strategic and financial resources and access to world-class mentors, and hands-on product, marketing, legal and fundraising support.
Port Tech LA, San Pedro, CA
PortTech Los Angeles is a business incubator dedicated to helping clean technology entrepreneurs transform start-ups into thriving businesses. PortTechLA works very closely with the Port of Los Angeles’ Technology Advancement Program (TAP), which is tasked with the responsibility of evaluating and helping fund technologies that support the Port’s Clean Air and Clean Truck Action Plans.
K5 Labs, Los Angeles, CA
Focused on technology-oriented companies, especially those focusing on software including AI, Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics; Robotics; Fintech, Foodtech, and Digital Health.
The Bixel Exchange, Los Angeles, CA
Bixel Exchange helps technology entrepreneurs by combining the power of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and L.A.'s dynamic tech community with the resources of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Small Business Development Center.
Los Angeles Dodgers Sports and Entertainment Accelerator, Los Angeles, CA
Five to seven startups will be selected, enabling in-depth engagement with the Dodgers’ leadership, business units, and industry network as well as R/GA’s award-winning strategic marketing, branding, design, and technology services.
LA Startup Club, Los Angeles, CA
Not an accelerator or incubator,Startup Club supports founders of early stage web and mobile technology companies via bi-weekly collaborative work sessions in a safe, focused environment to provide support and mentorship.
Grid110, Los Angeles, CA
In partnership with the Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti, supports DTLA startups by connecting them to office space, mentors and resources, with initial focus on fashion-tech.
Ventura BioCenter, Thousand Oaks, CA
Supports startup tech companies with a mixture of wet-lab facilities, lab equipment, mentoring, and additional resources aimed at taking an idea from concept to successful business. Entrepreneurs can move in and start running experiments the next day.
Updated: October 5, 2016