The past few decades have seen staggering advances in technology, but government has been left behind, saddled with outdated and inefficient software, while costs have exploded into the hundreds of billions. That means there’s both the imperative and the market for new, disruptive startups.
The Code for America Accelerator will "turbo-charge" select civic startups by providing them an opportunity to amplify market awareness of their product, to access a wealth of business training and advice, and to be introduced to a broad network of potential investors and civic leaders.
The 4-month program will focus on early stage startups, providing them the network and training needed to grow their businesses. Every month, the startup teams will be brought together in CfA’s San Francisco offices for intensive week-long curriculum led by industry experts; coupled with networking events with investors. Throughout the remainder of the program, the startups will have access to hands-on mentorship, administrative support, and office space.
The program will start August 2012; the deadline for applications is June 1, 2012. Apply now →
A $25K grant to help you grow the business; no strings attached. We're not asking for any equity — we just want to help.
A place to work in San Francisco if you want it — with desks, wifi, snacks, and (at least a few) cool people.
Access to and support from a rockstar set of industry, VC, and civic leaders — all committed to your success.
Direct connections to the folks you're trying to work with: tech-savvy government decision-makers.
A big (and growing) stage for the world to become aware of your company, team, and product.
Trainings from the industry's best on how to build a business, generate revenue, market, and scale.
Got questions? Good. Here are some answers, and we'll keep adding to the list over time. Still not sure about something? No problem. Drop us a line (email or @codeforamerica), and we'll get you squared away.
The CfA Accelerator is an early stage seed startup accelerator focused on the civic space – that is, government, community, and the interaction between the two. Increasingly the way in which we engage with government is channeled through technology, which means there's a tremendous opportunity for entrepreneurs to build new, successful, and profitable startups that make the experience more like the consumer web. The CfA Accelerator aims to help early-stage civic startups get the financial, strategic, and operational support they need to succeed.
Founded by Jennifer Pahlka in 2009, Code for America is a non-profit that's trying to make government work more like the internet: more open, more efficient, and more collaborative. Code for America launched with the CfA Fellowship, an annual program, which pairs passionate technologists with innovative city governments to build new solutions to civic problems. (To learn more about the broader context of CfA's work, see Jen's recent TED Talk.)
The CfA Accelerator is an outgrowth of our learnings from the fellowship; primarily a realization that while change from the inside of government is necessary, it must come from the outside as well.
Good question. We see three models for startups that'd fall within the civic space: 1) they provide services on top of open government data; 2) they bring modern web technologies directly to governments; 3) they change the way citizens ask, get, or need services from government.
