Description
Does your startup have a solution for the Blue Economy, which addresses bottlenecks in shipping, a problem in aquaculture, helps ocean related data, like weather and waves, or can be used for ocean energy, and saves the planet?
Braid Theory is looking for startups and solutions which have an applications use case in Ocean, Marine and Maritime for our Pre-Accelerator program, beginning in January 2022
- The Pre-Accelerator follows a 60-day curriculum-based instructional and milestone approach, with 6 additional months of support
- We are focused on industries and adjacencies in the Blue Economy, where Braid Theory has been a long established leader and expert, with a proven track record of success with startups and scale-ups, and can provide exceptional value, domain expertise, and connections to industry
- Startups will work with a team of advisors and instructors on reaching milestones, to accelerate business growth, that puts teams on a path to commercialization
- Work with Braid Theory's market partners to find a path forward for your technology, including pilot project and partnership opportunities
- Access to our unique waterfront facility, located at the AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles campus, which includes access to the waterfront, test-beds and platforms for ocean observing and robotics, and a comfortable Coworking Space
- Access to our MOANA Angel Network in Blue Economy, and other connections to seed and venture capital, and other funding including grants, and other sources of undiluted capital
- Package of services valued at over $250,000, including use of waterfront space and instruments, legal services package, perks and program support
- A 3% warrant is taken in each company accepted into the program with a 3-year duration
- No fees are associated with the program
- Technology and science founders from underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply
- Startups may be selected from university teams conducting research or entertaining a commercialization pathway for their discoveries and ideas
Eligibility
Startups should be working on key scientific research and application around four key areas:
- Shipping, logistics and transportation
- Ocean Sustainability
- Energy-Water Nexus
- Ocean Observation
Startups should have a a strong technology and market readiness
- TRL 4 and above
- MRL 4 and above
Braid Theory concentrates on three key areas for company success. Teams should be prepared to focus on these three areas when accepted into the program:
- Strong and defensible IP
- Business model
- Product-market fit
Teams should:
- Have at least one PI (Principal Investigator) co-founder
- Have at least one EL (Entrepreneurial Lead) co-founder
- At least two founders must be full-time
- Teams do not have to be located in the US to apply, however, they should be prepared to move into the lab space located in Los Angeles, no later than December 2021
- Have at least a beta/prototype and/or a proof-of-concept level product, to create an MVP (not just a procedure, protocol, or an idea phase)
Teams will be chosen on the basis of:
- Uniqueness of concept
- Meet several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Be a digital, hardware or engineering solution to a real world problem
Process
Deadlines for January 2022 Pod#1 Applicants:
- Applications close December 17, 2021
- Interviews with finalists will be conducted December 20- December 24, 2021
- Applicants are notified of admission by January 3, 2022.
- Cohort start date: January 17, 2022
