Applying to the Accelerator
Food System 6 is a non-profit impact-focused accelerator supporting early stage CEO founders. We bring these founders together with the mentors, diverse networks, capital, capacity building and community perspectives needed to build their ability to scale and maximize their impact.

What is FS6 Looking For?

The FS6 program prioritizes working with entrepreneurs who are building a food system that focuses on health, sustainability, and justice. We support early stage for-profit and non-profit entrepreneurs who are tackling one or more food system challenges across the following impact areas*:

HEALTHY PEOPLE

For example, innovations that:
  • Provide healthy food for all
  • Ensure the health and wellbeing of all people, inclusive of race and class
  • Connect people and the food system

VIBRANT FARMS

For example, innovations that:
  • Support sustainable family farms to thrive and be economically viable
  • Protect and care for farmers and farm-workers
  • Respect farm animals

SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEMS

For example, innovations that:
  • Sustain and grow a healthy environment
  • ​Enhance biodiversity
  • Promote agricultural and food distribution practices that mitigate climate change ​

JUSTICE & FAIRNESS

For example, innovations that:
  •  Increase food access for all
  • Create just food system structures and cares for food system workers
  • Ensure that public institutions and local businesses support a just community food system
In addition to the impact areas, FS6 is looking for early stage companies with a proven track-record of success, that have a product or service in the US market or will be entering the US market within 12 months. For questions about whether or not a company is a fit for the FS6 Accelerator, check out our FAQs and fill out a pre-application​.  

*The FS6 impact areas are adapted from Whole Measures for Community Food Systems, a values-based strategic planning and evaluation framework developed by the Center for Whole Communities and the Community Food Security Coalition.

Timeline/Location Details

You may apply at any time. To be assured consideration for the next Cohort, your pre- application must be received by October 15, 2019. FS6 will host an informational webinar on Sept. 4th in order to answer any questions that applicants may have about the process. Programing will launch in January of each year, and application decisions are made in Q4 of the year prior.

​The FS6 1-year accelerator program consists of 3 in-person sessions between January and May as well as a formal pitch event in the fall. All events will be hosted in the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants are required to be present for all four events, but will continue to run their business from home between sessions.
Cohort 5 in-person dates:

​Session 1: February 11-15, 2020
Session 2: March 24-26, 2020
Session 3: May 5-7, 2020
Session 4: October, 2020 - dates pending

What FS6 Provides

The overarching framework for the FS6 accelerator program is built with a focus on communications and business strategy. We support each participant in building up the tools necessary to pitch and present their business, as well as the behind-the-scenes hygiene that will prepare them to raise funds, deep-dive into strategy, and refine their approach to capital. Our objective is to help entrepreneurs develop and hone the clarity of thought that they need to go out and effectively communicate their impact and business to any stakeholder - be it an investor, a foundation, a customer, or a producer. In the end, these broad stroke skill sets, alongside the individual coaching and strategic mentorship, will equip FS6 Portfolio members for whatever their next milestones are, while also giving them the tools to iterate beyond the reaches of our program.

All teams receive support across a range of areas including business model refinement, go-to-market strategy development, public speaking, along with introductions and feedback from potential investors, partners, and funders. We have intentionally designed a collaborative program to facilitate cross-functional relationships across the entire FS6 Portfolio. A large area of focus for us as an organization is to facilitate the connections between and among change agents that can accelerate the creation of the sixth food system.

All participating for-profit companies are asked to contribute 1.5% in equity to FS6 upon acceptance to the accelerator program. Selected non-profits may participate at no cost. In addition, thanks to a partnership with investment fund, 1st Course Capital, eligible* participants will receive a $25k convertible note upon program completion.

​* To determine eligibility, please refer to Program Eligibility & FAQs.

Instructions for Applying

  1. Review Program Eligibility & FAQs 
  2. Do the pre-app right away! It takes only 5 or 10 minutes and will put your company on the FS6 radar.
  3. Once we have your submitted pre-app*, we’ll reach out with next steps based on your pre-application. If you’re a potential fit for the accelerator, we’ll invite you to fill out the full application and proceed through the selection process.

*Applications are reviewed in Q4 of each year. If you send in a pre-application earlier in the year, status notification will not arrive until Q4.