2024 Santa Cruz Works Accelerates Partner Program

Welcome to the 2024 Santa Cruz Works Accelerates Partner Program! Over our previous five cohorts, 28 out of 52 participating companies achieved successful financial exits, underscoring the effectiveness of our 6-week program. If you're interested in joining our upcoming sixth cohort, which begins in late June 2024, please explore the partnership tiers outlined below. For further details and to express your interest, kindly follow this CONTACT US link.

Mentors

You are high-value sounding boards with deep industry expertise. Mentors provide invaluable guidance on refining business models, making key connections, and navigating startup challenges.  Active participation and enthusiastic support are essential for fostering the success of our startups.

• Investment: Provide 4 hours of free consultation per startup, to startups of your choice. Mentor businesses may enter into service agreements with a startup after the initial 4 hours with the purpose of providing and extending professional services that will benefit the success of the startup. 

• Requirements

• Mentors must have an established business with skill sets ranging from IP, legal, marketing, sales, engineering, finance, regulatory, operations, commercialization, R&D, etc

• Vertical industry expertise is relevant e.g., finance, healthcare, manufacturing, environment, biotech, energy, etc.

• Benefits

• Early access to promising ventures

• Opportunity to build relationships with founders

• Pipeline for future business opportunities

• Mentors will be listed in our accelerator platform for connections and scheduling

• Make a real impact. Mentoring allows you to directly contribute to the success of a budding entrepreneur and startup

Affiliate

Our accelerator program connects startups with the tools and resources they need to succeed. As an Affiliate, your company can play a vital role in their journey.

• Investment: Provide software tools or services of meaningful value

• Requirements

• Affiliates provide resources such as software to startups for a set term at either no cost or a greatly reduced cost.

• Examples: AWS $10,000 credits, Stripe $120k of transaction credits

• Benefits

• Gain access to a targeted audience of passionate and innovative early-stage companies.

• Showcase your brand and solutions to a future-focused demographic.

• Build brand recognition and establish yourself as a leader in supporting startups.

• Develop relationships with promising startups who might become future paying customers

Strategic

Strategic Partners are for established companies and industry leaders interested in fostering growth and exploring collaborations with our groundbreaking startups.

• Investment: $5,000

• Requirements

• Partners must commit to a fee of $5,000, with 50% supporting accelerator operations and 50% contributing to the prize pool of the final pitch competition.

• Engage with and support the cohort startups through resources, expertise, or potential collaboration opportunities.

• Benefits

• Access to a curated group of startups, allowing for early engagement and partnership opportunities.

• Access to SCWorks Accelerator platform to connect directly with founders, mentors, venture partners, research, and skilled resources (possibly new hires).  

• Public recognition as a Strategic Partner in all related accelerator events and communications, enhancing your brand’s visibility and reputation within the industry.

Investment

Equity partners are integral to our ecosystem, providing significant financial support and mentorship to the most promising startups. This tier is tailored for venture capital firms, angel investors, and corporate venture arms looking to invest directly in high-potential startups through equity agreements.

• Investment: $20,000 to $100,000

• Requirements

• Contribution of $20,000, split equally between direct support for the accelerator’s operations and the prize pool for the finalist pitch contest.

• Select and invest a minimum of $20,000 in 1-3 startups for an equity stake.

• Benefits

• Rights to select and judge the finalists in the pitch contest, offering a significant role in determining the cohort’s standout startups.

• Direct future equity stakes in chosen startups, facilitating a strategic position for future growth and collaboration.

• Access to SCWorks Accelerator platform to connect directly with founders, mentors, venture partners, research, and skilled resources (possibly new hires).  

• Prominent recognition as an Equity Partner in all program materials, events, and press activities, positioning your firm as a key player in the startup ecosystem.