Capital Factory

How to apply to top accelerators for unicorn founders Following up our analysis of accelerators by unicorn investments — here's how to actually apply to these programs that have produced the most unicorns. 1. Y Combinator — 101 Unicorn Investments Notable unicorns: Airbnb, Stripe, Coinbase, DoorDash, Dropbox Duration: 3 months, 4 batches/year Location: San Francisco (required) Next deadline: August 4 at 8pm PT (today 🙂) Apply: https://lnkd.in/g4RZmAgm Guidelines: https://lnkd.in/g-JUZDsG 2. Plug and Play Tech Center — 40 Unicorn Investments Notable unicorns: PayPal, Dropbox, LendingClub Duration: 3-12 months by program Location: 60+ global locations Status: Rolling applications Apply: https://lnkd.in/ggKKBghh 3. 500 Global — 39 Unicorn Investments Notable unicorns: Credit Karma, Canva, Grab, Talkdesk Duration: 4 months Location: Palo Alto + global programs Next deadline: October 11, 2025 (Batch 36) Apply: https://lnkd.in/gGNevZ-Q Eurasia Program: https://lnkd.in/gBA5mqKy MENA Program: https://lnkd.in/gYHaBRES 4. Techstars — 24 Unicorn Investments Notable unicorns: SendGrid, DigitalOcean, Remitly Duration: 13 weeks Location: 10+ cities + remote option Status: Applications are closed for now Apply: https://lnkd.in/gWn56WXy Guidelines: https://lnkd.in/gfcevxBA 5. Capital Factory — 18 Unicorn Investments Notable Unicorns: Cart.com, Beamery, ZenBusiness Duration: Long-term guidance model Location: Austin, Texas Status: Rolling applications open Apply: https://lnkd.in/g9jCSbVY 6. StartX — 10 Unicorn Investments Notable Unicorns: Lime, Patreon, Truepill Duration: 10-12 weeks Location: Stanford/Silicon Valley Status: Rolling applications open Note: Stanford-affiliated founders only Apply: https://web.startx.com 7. Idealab! — 7 Unicorn Investments Notable Unicorns: Overture, GoTo.com, NetZero Duration: N/A Location: Pasadena, California Status: No external applications accepted 8. MassChallenge — 6 Unicorn Investments Notable Unicorns: Ginkgo Bioworks Duration: 4 months Location: Multiple (Boston, Israel, Switzerland, Texas, UK) Status: Various application cycles open Apply: https://masschallenge.org/ 9. Neo — 5 Unicorn Investments Notable unicorns: Delv AI, OneSafe, Dispatch Duration: 3 months Location: Oregon bootcamp + San Francisco Status: Applications for 2025 are closed Apply: https://lnkd.in/gAjjkDP2 10. betaworks — 5 Unicorn Investments Notable unicorns: Kickstarter, Medium, Tumblr Duration: 13 weeks Location: New York City Status: Applications open for spring 2026 Apply: https://lnkd.in/gwvEY5Kr

This afternoon, big ideas and bold founders hit the stage…which means First Look at Capital Factory! 👀 On the first Thursday of every month, Austin becomes the epicenter of innovation—bringing together our top mentors, investors, advisors, and corporate partners for an exclusive first look at the newest Capital Factory All Access companies. It’s the fastest way to spot the startups redefining industries and shaping the future. Today’s lineup of trailblazers included: ⚙️ Bild ⚡️ Airloom Energy 🚀 Astroport Space Technologies 📱 Pocket Case Manager, Inc. 💻 Wootz 🛰️ Orbit Fab 🤖 Logic Robotics 🧪 Allkemie 🧬 Longhorn Life Sciences, Inc. ✨ Cartwheel 🛍️ BUY-IT.AI 🔥 Farm to Flame Energy Inc. 🧠 CerebroSonic 🦾 Paradigm Robotics From building the future of space to breakthroughs in life sciences, these founders are taking bold visions and making them real—proving the future is already on its way. 💡 Want to see what’s next? Stay tuned for next month’s First Look—because innovation doesn’t wait, and neither do we.

⏰ The first #Deepinvent4Good Hackathon has officially begun! Here’s your quick-start checklist! How to Enter: 1. Register/login at the link in comments 2. Fire up your 30 free invention credits and invent something for the good of humanity! 3. Submit your invention anytime between Aug 7-21 by following the steps noted after submission on the site. *Additional posts featuring videos of your invention are highly encouraged! First place wins: $10,000 cash + resources and mentorship to scale the idea, along with global visibility. Winner Announced: Aug 27, 2025 Zero fees. Unlimited imagination. Impact that could ripple worldwide. Questions? Comment below! See you in there!

Today, Capital Factory’s very first hardware investment from 2014 is having its IPO. Go Firefly Aerospace - one of the most ambitious companies in our solar system 🚀 https://lnkd.in/eWX8D7Mg

Startups. Big ideas. No filters. The Pitch Track, sponsored by BAE Systems, Inc., puts dual-use startups on stage 🎤 to pitch in front of government, investors, and tech leaders. Want to see the next breakout tech before it scales? From the sketchpad to deployment, these pitches deliver big energy, real feedback, and zero NDAs. 🚀 Who’s pitching? Meet just a few of the standout startups taking the stage: 🔹 Glīd – Enabling autonomous, hybrid road-to-rail mobility to modernize freight and logistics in austere environments. 🔹 Seagate Space – Deploying modular, mobile offshore platforms to pioneer flexible and cost-effective sea-based rocket launches. 🔹 Spark Biomedical Inc – Delivering FDA-cleared, drug-free wearable neurostimulation for opioid withdrawal relief. 🔹 Omira Systems – Enabling AI-powered, self-healing communications in contested environments. 👉 See the future in motion at Fed Supernova, August 19–21. This is your front-row seat to the next defense breakthrough.🚀 Secure your spot before it's gone 🎟️ https://hubs.ly/Q03BNCjW0

Kick off Fed Supernova in full force with the Dual-Use Startup Crawl, sponsored by X-Bow Systems, August 19th 🚀 One of the most talked-about events of the year is almost here — and it’s more than a party. It’s where real innovation meets national security. 🔐💡 With 40+ dual-use startups and defense partners, the #DualUseStartupCrawl is your chance to experience the future of #aerospace, #AI, #autonomy, #cyber, #advanced materials, and more! 💥 Whether you’re a founder, investor, operator, or simply passionate about defense innovation, this is the night to make connections that matter. Expect high energy ⚡, exciting deal flow 🤝, and inspiration that will fuel your next big move. Get a sneak peek at the incredible lineup of exhibitors 👉 https://hubs.ly/Q03Blc7-0 Tickets are going fast 🚨 lock yours in today! 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/gktJvsVA

Space innovation is accelerating faster than ever, and Firefly Aerospace is leading the charge 👀 Tune in to another powerful episode from the #Austinpreneur archives as Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, shares firsthand stories of record-breaking rocket launches, lunar missions, and the revolutionary tech shaping humanity’s next giant leap. Recorded live at Capital Factory in 2024, this episode dives into personal stories of inspiration and offers an inside look at building a resilient space workforce ready to propel humanity beyond Earth. Catch the full conversation and stay updated on the future of aerospace innovation 👉 https://hubs.ly/Q03BlV3Q0

August is here, and so are the opportunities at Capital Factory! 🚀 Whether you're a founder, investor, or innovator, there’s no better time to plug into our dynamic community. This month is full of networking, innovation, and meaningful connections designed to move your mission forward. Don’t miss out—explore what’s happening and get involved! 👇🏼 🚀 Fed Supernova — the #1 defense innovation event of the year — lands in Austin, August 19–21! Join us for a powerful 3-day experience that fast-tracks defense innovation by uniting the entire ecosystem — from startups to government — in the nation’s hottest innovation hub. 🎟️ https://hubs.ly/Q03z-3CH0 ☕ Cup of Capital — continues this month in San Antonio on August 26! Our Austin edition, powered by HICAM, was buzzing with connections — and we're bringing that same energy to San Antonio. Don’t miss the chance to network with local innovators and community partners over coffee and conversation. 🎟️ https://hubs.ly/Q03z-31l0 💻 Open Coworking gives prospective members a taste of what it's like to #cowork at the center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas — for FREE. Join us in Austin any Tuesday this month to learn about our membership options. 🎟️ https://hubs.ly/Q03zZ_Mb0 #austinevents #texasevents #texasfounders

#Deepinvent4Good Virtual Hackathon: Aug 7-21st, $10k prize for the best invention for good. A global hackathon for inventing and open sourcing solutions to benefit humanity. *NOT a meaningless “Tinder‑for‑cats” style hackathon, this is an invitation to invent for humanity. Register here: https://lnkd.in/grBBER7r __ Over the last few months I’ve seen innovators from all over the world use Deepinvent to turn ideas into breakthroughs and then go out and build them to change the world for the better. A few examples: - Self‑adjusting 3‑D‑printed limb socket that grows with a child - A new gene-based immunotherapeutic for treatment resistant cancers  - A portable wellspring solar device that pulls drinking water from desert air It’s been inspiring to watch. Now let’s see how far we can actually take this. Introducing the #Deepinvent4Good  #Inventathon A 14‑day online event (Aug 7 - 21) where innovators from around the world compete to invent solutions to benefit humanity and solve our most important challenges. Anything with a positive impact on the world. Commercial potential is welcome, but judging will be based on magnitude of impact first. The best invention with the highest potential impact wins $10k, credits, exposure, and resources to bring the idea to life. Details: See the link in comments Open for suggestions for judges / sponsors / etc. SHARE THIS and help us invent a better tomorrow today!

Austin, your next opportunity might start with a cup of coffee. ☕️ Tomorrow, we’re brewing connections and fueling ideas at Cup of Capital, powered by HICAM. Join us for a morning where founders, funders, and future-makers collide. No slides, no egos — just strong coffee and even stronger conversations that might shift the trajectory of your next move. If you’re in the startup or venture scene, this is the room to be in. Whether you’re raising, hiring, or just getting plugged in — your seat (and your caffeine) is waiting. 🎟️ https://hubs.ly/Q03zQYlv0