Applying to the Accelerator

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

Hear from entrepreneurs from our last cohort

 

What is FS6 Looking For?


FS6 is looking to support efforts at the intersection of impact potential, investment opportunity & innovation activity. 

We are looking for early stage for-profit and non-profit entrepreneurs who are tackling one or more food system challenges through business / organizational model or technological innovations such as:

  • Reducing, recovering or recycling food waste
  • Addressing sustainable protein alternatives for humans and animals
  • Developing benign substitutes for harmful inputs in food production
  • Increasing availability of healthy food choices
  • Enabling more efficient use of water and other natural resources
  • Creating tools for regenerative production practices

Timeline / Location

  • You may apply at any time.  To be assured consideration for the next Cohort, your pre- application must be received by September 30th. 
  • Cohort runs from February - May with three in-person sessions in the San Francisco Bay Area (details and dates to be disclosed upon acceptance to the program).  It's not too early to apply and start the process of getting to know each other, even if you're not ready to join our program. . 

What FS6 Provides

FS6 is focused on providing support to develop entrepreneurs and their innovations, and increase the odds of success. This work is delivered through the FS6 team and also via mentors and advisors with expertise in different aspects of business entrepreneurs need to develop. While FS6 does not provide financial support, we bring our network of funders and investors to help make successful matches for our entrepreneurs to obtain the capital they need to succeed. ​​

Instructions For Applying


​1. Review the Program Eligibility & FAQ below.
2. Do the pre-app right away! It takes only 5 or 10 minutes and will put your company on the FS6 radar.
2. Once we have your submitted pre-app, we’ll reach out with next steps, including filling out the full accelerator application.
3. Our cohort program runs from February — May each year, and decisions are made in Q4 of the year prior to each accelerator cohort program. 
4. During Q4 we will reach out to you based on your pre-application and, 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. 

​Thank you for your interest in working with Food System 6!

Program Eligibility & FAQ

​Do you support both for-profit and non-profit entrepreneurs?
  • Yes!
What is the cost of participation in an FS6 cohort?
  • While non-profits may participate in the FS6 program at no-charge, for-profits are encouraged to make an equity donation to FS6 to support the work of the accelerator.
Who is eligible to  take part in a cohort from each participating entity?
  • If accepted the CEO / Executive Director must participate in all cohort sessions. Each accepted company may also have a co-founder or other C-suite executive participate alongside the CEO, to support the CEO in the program. Our program is explicitly focused on founder support.

How is the program structured?​
  • The FS6 Cohort Program is a 16-week non-residential program — that is, you need NOT move to the San Francisco Bay Area to participate. ​The formal program concludes with a showcase event. 
  • The Program is collaborative in nature, and the in-person sessions are designed to work on elements of the startup process that are broadly useful to all cohort members. In addition, our goal is to create a community of entrepreneurs who can help each other in their long and challenging journeys.
  • FS6 works with each company outside of the in-person sessions in a customized and mutually agreed way to support each company’s next major milestones.
  • Following the 16-week program, FS6 is available to work with each company for 2-3 years as the need arises. This works has historically been to advise companies in sales & marketing, finance, legal, operations, and human resources. Our goal is to be your C-suite support on speed dial! ​

When can I/we apply for selection?
  • Pre-Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for the current or a subsequent cohort.

Will you work with non-US based entrepreneurs?
  • FS6 sources entrepreneurs and their innovations from all over the US and all over the world. We support international companies when they are working on US market entry, as this is where our greatest breadth of knowledge lies. If you are an international organization looking to be part of the FS6 community, but are not ready for expansion into the US, you can follow our Newsletter for information about Open Cohort Programing. 

Do applicants need to be US citizens?
  • No, though you do need to be able to participate in the on-site portions of the program.