Y Combinator: Since 2005, this semiannual Silicon Valley tech meet-up has been a place where more than 500 startups have met with potential investors to receive seed funding. Among the successful companies to receive funding in Hollywood: Airbnb, Dropbox, Rap Genius, Loopt and Songkick.
Launchpad LA: Located mere footsteps from the beach in Santa Monica, this “startup accelerator” offers accepted companies free office space for four months, $100,000 in funding and access to powerful mentors, advisers and potential investors. Since its accelerator program launched in 2011, Launchpad LA has graduated 18 companies that have collectively raised more than $30 million in funding.
Start Engine: One of Los Angeles’ largest startup accelerators, Start Engine is the brainchild of Activision co-founder Howard Marks and Bristol Capitol Advisors founder Paul Kessler.
Meeting of the Minds: This more informal networking event, where the Hollywood and Silicon Valley tech scenes meet in L.A. every two months or so, was co-founded by Guy Oseary’s head of digital Abe Burns first as a music tech meet-up. It has evolved into an invite-only affair for professionals across all tech and entertainment sectors.
Amplify: Launched in late 2011 with $4.5 million in funding from backers like Mark Burnett, Eric Schmidt and Brian Grazer, Amplify has quickly established itself as another L.A. startup accelerator worth pitching–alumni receive $50,000 in seed funding.
Science: Former Myspace CEO Mike Jones introduced this Santa Monica accelerator in November 2011. Urban Remedy, Dollar Shave Club, EverySignal, TopFloor, Pinpuff and Dog Vacay are among the first companies to receive seed funding.
Hollywood Hack Day. A startup meet-up for the developer set, Hollywood Hack Day was co-founded by Oseary’s Abe Burns, Bill Silva Entertainment’s Ryan Chisholm and Rovi’s Rahim Sonawalla to incubate new projects for tech and entertainment during a heavily caffeinated 48-hour period.