Advisory Program Overview
The Starta Accelerator Program focuses on helping international startup founders scale their business in the US. If you are ready to take your business global and have innovative technology behind your business, then we encourage you to apply to our 3-month program and become global innovation leaders.
Starta Accelerator has been specifically tailored to sourcing and vetting companies for Starta's new $50M Fund, which has a target of investing into 3-4 top performing graduates per batch (after program completion).
Starta Accelerator has extensive expertise in scaling international founders in the US market. Our program has a well-crafted structure that covers all the necessary elements for making the transition. We provide advice and mentorship from industry experts, helping startups navigate the complex transition to US business practices and culture.
Program Dates
Spring Cohort: March - May
Fall Cohort: October - December
Starta Accelerator has been specifically tailored to sourcing and vetting companies for Starta's new $50M Fund, which has a target of investing into 3-4 top performing graduates per batch (after program completion).
Starta Accelerator has extensive expertise in scaling international founders in the US market. Our program has a well-crafted structure that covers all the necessary elements for making the transition. We provide advice and mentorship from industry experts, helping startups navigate the complex transition to US business practices and culture.
Program Dates
Spring Cohort: March - May
Fall Cohort: October - December
Alumni Success
- 14 Batches
- 170+ Companies
- 350+ Founders
55%
Raised Follow-on
Total of $75M+ raised by the program alumni
65%
Active
Still crushing it!
35%
Stayed in the US
Startups with US-based revenue
Eligibility Criteria
- Innovative startups beyond concept stage (preferrably with functional MVP)
- Pre-seed, seed, or early-growth stage
- Any sector, any country
- Strong potential to achieve product-market fit and establish ongoing operations in the US
- Willingness to relocate to NYC for the duration of the program
Hear from the Founders
Your Coaches & Mentors
- Alena Petrova
- Evgeny Krasnov
- Andrei Rebrov
- Michael Preppy
And many more!
Get to Know Us
FAQs
What happens at Starta stays at Starta! Just kidding. Here's what actually happens. We work with founders from the very beginning, helping them successfully adapt to and enter the US Market. We also help the founders work with other investors, and of course, we invest into the top performers upon completion of the program.
Our Accelerator program is for startups with international roots which are seeking to expand to the U.S. We look for startups with a significant technological focus, in any sector, and that also wield the potential to have a global product. Most applicants already have a Minimum Viable Product(MVP) and proven traction in their home country.
Our program is 3 months long (with an extra 3 months of follow-on strategic support), and focuses on helping startups establish operations in the US and move forward on the path to attaining revenue and raising funds.
We have two cohorts per year, each comprised of 10-15 startups.
Participants in our program work directly with our partners and mentors and will have access to our extensive network of investors. We have outstanding, expert mentors that focus on improving each startup's communications, business development, sales, marketing, and fundraising - providing both strategic and tactical advice which is tailored to the U.S. business environment.
Participation in the Accelerator Program will have flexible terms for companies at pre-seed, seed, and early growth stages, operating on an advisory fee of 2-6% (calculated based on the stage of the company). Earlier stage companies looking to cover relocation costs will be eligible for initial cash investment.
Participants begin with 6 weeks of online sessions(both group and individual)and afterward will be required to attend the 6-week offline portion of the program in person.
Our program is 3 months long (with an extra 3 months of follow-on strategic support), and focuses on helping startups establish operations in the US and move forward on the path to attaining revenue and raising funds.
We have two cohorts per year, each comprised of 10-15 startups.
Participants in our program work directly with our partners and mentors and will have access to our extensive network of investors. We have outstanding, expert mentors that focus on improving each startup's communications, business development, sales, marketing, and fundraising - providing both strategic and tactical advice which is tailored to the U.S. business environment.
Participation in the Accelerator Program will have flexible terms for companies at pre-seed, seed, and early growth stages, operating on an advisory fee of 2-6% (calculated based on the stage of the company). Earlier stage companies looking to cover relocation costs will be eligible for initial cash investment.
Participants begin with 6 weeks of online sessions(both group and individual)and afterward will be required to attend the 6-week offline portion of the program in person.
What makes our program unique is our proven ability to ease the transition of international startups to the U.S., from the biggest issues to the smallest details - that is our core competency - as well as our extensive network of established business connections, which has taken our Partners years to cultivate. We treat our startups like family, both during and after the program.
Be aware that the Accelerator is an intense program that requires a very firm commitment from participants - but the results can be extremely rewarding. To date, over 150 startups have completed our accelerator program and they have gone on to raise over $75M.
Be aware that the Accelerator is an intense program that requires a very firm commitment from participants - but the results can be extremely rewarding. To date, over 150 startups have completed our accelerator program and they have gone on to raise over $75M.
The new program format has been specifically tailored to sourcing and vetting companies for Starta's new $50M Fund, which has a target of investing into 10-15 companies per year. The fund offers between $200k-$1M to the top-performing residents and will provide further support in co-investment deals. The companies will be selected based on the product market and investment fit.
Do you see the US as your next target market? Can your product be scaled globally? Do you have a working MVP? Do you have at least some traction in your home market? Do you have a strong team? Are you ready for 12 intense and adventurous weeks? If you answered yes to all of these questions then you are our perfect fit!
Please apply here!
Please apply here!
We are sector agnostic. We work with tech companies in various industries.
Our Launchpad Program works with companies at any stage of their life cycle, even at idea or prototype stages.
Our Accelerator Program has no specific stage requirements, but most of the companies we accept already have an MVP and proven traction in their home country. However, we do not reject companies just for being earlier than that as long as we fall in love with your idea and see a strong committed team.
Our Advisory Program works with early-growth stage companies with consistent revenue and an established business model.
Our Accelerator Program has no specific stage requirements, but most of the companies we accept already have an MVP and proven traction in their home country. However, we do not reject companies just for being earlier than that as long as we fall in love with your idea and see a strong committed team.
Our Advisory Program works with early-growth stage companies with consistent revenue and an established business model.
Fill out your application here. The more information you provide in your application the better are the chances that we will contact you for an interview. Don't worry once you submit your application you can always edit it and update the responses if necessary.
We usually start getting in touch about 2 weeks before the application process closes. We will reach out to you via email and then have 2-3 calls during which you will talk to different members of our team. Soon after you will receive an email with our feedback and in case you are a good fit - an invitation to join our Program.
This can be for many reasons, so please don't take it personally. Perhaps your application was not fully filled out or did not provide enough information. We receive hundreds of applications and there are physical limitations on how many people we can interview.
Yes! You can only submit one application from a startup per program. But you can definitely re-apply for the next batch. It is not rare that we can not accept a project into our program because it's too early stage, but we are happy to reconsider it for our next batch if we see good potential! Several of our portfolio companies applied multiple times and after getting feedback from us were able to work on their companies and successfully get accepted into the Program.
Yes! But keep in mind that we are looking for full commitment from the founders when it comes to a project. It is quite rare that a founder can keep up with two different startups at a time.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes, we require that you incorporate the company in the United States after you've been accepted into the program. We help you with the incorporation process if needed.
We are eager to host either one or several representatives of your company in NYC. Based on our experience, however, two founders is the ideal number
No, there is no requirement to be a US citizen or resident. B1/B2 visa is enough, most of our founders come here on B1/B2 Visas, since it is also a business visas. After the program many choose to apply for another type of visa, such as an O1/O2.
We don't get directly involved with visas, but we can give some advice and provide a confirmation of your participation in the program for visa assistance. We also have quite a mailing list of founders who had to get one at some point. We will be happy to make introductions and connect you.
No, we do not reimburse any travel-related expenses. But once you are accepted into our program, we could offer an additional relocation-related investment.
That's totally ok. Actually, about 70 percent of our founders have never been to the US before Starta. During the Program, we will do our best to help you solve your relocation problems and help you acclimate as smoothly as possible.
We expect you to be able to freely communicate, pitch, and hold Q&A's about your product in English. Don't worry if your English doesn't seem to be very good yet. Once you immerse yourself into the English-speaking environment you will quickly improve. Most people do. We also provide communication classes as part of the program.
Like all the VC firms, we hear too many ideas to sign NDAs. We are committed to respecting the confidentiality of the information you submit to us during the application process and will not share it outside of the Starta Ventures team. Once you, join our program we will sign a contract that includes a confidentiality clause.
You can always reach out to our alumni or read their reviews here. Another good idea is to follow our Facebook page or come to the events we organize all over the world.