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Expert DOJO

Expert DOJO is the most active international early-stage startup accelerator in Southern California.

Santa Monica, CA, USA

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Description

Expert Dojo is a global startup accelerator and early-stage venture fund based in Santa Monica, California, focused on helping international and U.S. startups scale into the U.S. market. The platform combines accelerator programs, early capital, and hands-on growth support, with a strong emphasis on go-to-market execution and investor readiness.

Specific Funding Stage
Pre-Seed / Seed (Core Focus)

  • Expert Dojo primarily backs startups at the pre-seed and seed stages.

  • Many companies enter through its accelerator programs before or alongside an initial investment.

Series A (Occasional Follow-On)

  • Expert Dojo may selectively participate in Series A rounds, typically as a follow-on investor in top-performing portfolio companies.

Investment Amount and Percentage Equity (Company-Level)
Check Size

  • Typical initial investment is approximately $50K–$100K, often tied to accelerator participation.

  • In some cases, follow-on checks may be larger, depending on traction and fundraising progress.

Equity Taken

  • Expert Dojo is transparent about its standard equity model:

    • Commonly takes ~3%–6% equity in exchange for initial capital and accelerator participation.

  • Exact equity percentage may vary based on:

    • Company valuation

    • Deal structure

    • Whether the investment is purely capital or bundled with program services

Implied Ownership Context

  • Because checks are relatively small and valuations vary, Expert Dojo typically holds a minority, non-controlling stake, consistent with accelerator-style investing.

Equity Structure
  • Investments are typically structured as:

    • Convertible instruments (SAFE or convertible note), or

    • Priced seed equity in some cases

  • Accelerator participation and investment are often bundled, meaning the value proposition includes capital + services + network access.

Application / Submission Method
Submission Method

  • Startups apply through:

    • Online applications on the Expert Dojo website

    • Referrals from alumni, mentors, or investors

  • Programs run on a rolling or cohort-based basis, depending on geography and focus.

Interaction

  • Initial engagement includes pitch review, founder interviews, and assessment of U.S. market readiness.

Eligibility

Sector Focus

  • Broadly industry-agnostic, including:

    • B2B SaaS

    • Fintech

    • Consumer tech

    • Marketplaces

    • AI-enabled platforms

    • Health and enterprise software

Geography

  • Strong focus on international startups expanding into the U.S.

  • U.S.-based startups are also eligible.

Stage

  • Pre-seed and seed-stage startups with:

    • MVP or early traction

    • Clear use case for U.S. market entry

    • Coachable founding teams

Team Profile

  • Founders open to hands-on mentorship, rapid iteration, and structured accelerator support.

Process

  1. Application Review: Evaluation of pitch deck, traction, and market opportunity.

  2. Founder Interviews: Assessment of team, coachability, and execution capability.

  3. Program Fit Review: Determination of readiness for accelerator participation.

  4. Offer & Terms: Investment terms and program participation confirmed.

  5. Program Entry: Capital deployed; accelerator support begins.


What an Applicant can Obtain

  • Early Capital: ~$50K–$100K to support early growth and fundraising preparation.

  • U.S. Market Access: Structured help entering and scaling in the U.S. ecosystem.

  • Mentorship: Hands-on guidance from operators, growth experts, and investors.

  • Investor Exposure: Demo days, pitch refinement, and introductions to seed and Series A investors.