APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED!

A 16-week accelerator for Los Angeles-based founders building real community impact and sustainable revenue.

 The Community Business Accelerator: by FOUND/LA and Grid110

The Community Business Accelerator, by FOUND/LA & Grid110, is a 16-week intensive program designed to empower and elevate Los Angeles-based businesses serving the local community. The accelerator provides hands-on support to companies driven not only by profit, but also by a shared commitment to serve their communities, whether through job creation, equitable access to resources, or other meaningful contributions to LA neighborhoods. Through weekly live sessions, 1:1 mentorship, and self-directed learning, founders develop a tailored approach to securing capital, refining product-market fit, building high-performing teams, and implementing operational roadmaps that support long-term, sustainable growth.

Applications close Are Now Closed!

PROGRAM ELGIBILITY

Who is eligible to apply?

LOCATION

Headquartered and primarily operating within the City of Los Angeles, with a demonstrated community footprint.

STAGE & GROWTH

Operating for at least 12 months with a launched product or service, basic infrastructure, and early traction. Founders should have a clear growth plan for the next 6-18 months.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Deeply rooted in their LA community, with a clear track record of meaningful impact and a business that fosters genuine human connection.

COMMITMENT

A founder or decision-maker can commit to all program sessions and asynchronous work.

FUNDING

Raised under $250K in external funding, is open to exploring right-fit capital, and has basic financials in place.

Business with Purpose

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Growth with Impact

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Business with Purpose • Growth with Impact •

What does the program entail?

PROGRAM DETAILS

Program sessions will be held weekly for 16 weeks on Wednesdays from 2pm - 4pm PST. These sessions will include hands-on instruction, discussion, and collaboration, with accompanying self-directed learning to further founder’s understanding of the topic. In addition to this, we will host optional events outside of weekly sessions.

The weekly sessions cover topics such as:

Building a fundraising roadmap

Strengthening founding teams

Enhancing product or service offerings

Developing a clear growth & operational roadmap

WHAT TO EXPECT

WEEKLY LIVE SESSIONS

Participate in 2-hour live learning sessions every Wednesday (2–4 PM PT) to explore weekly topics and work through hands-on activities alongside fellow founders.

ASYNCHRONOUS ASSIGNMENTS

Weekly assignments designed to be directly applied to your business, building on each live session and progressing throughout the program.

INTEGRATED WELLNESS PROGRAMMING

Wellness is embedded into the program through bi-weekly accountability groups led by a certified Wellness Practitioner, along with additional weekly wellness programming to support sustainable growth and founder well-being.

1:1 MENTORSHIP

Each founder is paired with an expert mentor for personalized guidance and support throughout the program.

OFFICE HOURS + COMMUNITY EVENTS

Optional drop-in office hours with the Grid110 team, plus in-person events to connect with the broader Grid110 founder community.

PROGRAM FIT

Who is this accelerator best for?

Businesses who are embedded in and/or focused on serving the local Los Angeles community and/or people.

Entrepreneurs who value learning in a collaborative environment, building alongside fellow entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs who thrive with a blend of structured, hands-on instruction with the flexibility of self-directed learning.

“Grid110 will always hold a special place in my heart and will be my go-to recommendation for underrepresented founders looking to take their next steps with confidence and material support. They don't just accelerate businesses—they help you recognize the unique value you bring to underserved markets others overlook. The partnerships we've formed through CBA prove the real-world impact of having an accelerator that truly invests in your success beyond just traditional metrics.”

-Brandon Bailey, Founder of TutorD, CBA Alum

 PROGRAM TIMELINE

January 12 - Applications Open

January 22, 12:00PM PST - Info Session #1

January 28, 6:00PM PST - Info Session #2

February 5, 12:00PM PST - Application Office Hours

February 12, 5:00PM PST - Applications Close

Mid-March - Mandatory Program Orientation

Mid-March - 16-Week Program Begins

Mid-July - 16-Week Program Ends

 FAQs

  • The 16-week program will take place on Wednesdays from 2PM-4PM PST, from March 2026-July 2026.

  • Yes. Companies must be based in the City of Los Angeles, with an interest in growing and connecting with the LA ecosystem.

  • Each week consists of about 2 hours of content to be reviewed and completed asynchronously, plus weekly 2-hour live sessions led by Grid110. In addition, founders participate in biweekly mentorship meetings and accountability groups to help track progress, get personalized guidance, and stay on target with their goals. Optional events and office hours are available to further your learning. Like anything, you get out what you put in. This program is designed to support founders through the entrepreneurial process while allowing them to focus on running the day-to-day operations of their business.

  • The program is free for all accepted companies. Companies must go through an application process to be eligible for this program. To add, Grid110 does not take equity in or provide funding to any company.

  • Grid110 does not focus on any particular business type or vertical. We welcome applications from any field, sector, or industry (except cannabis). Knowledge and skills taught and reviewed during the program are applicable and transferable to ideas from all sectors & industries. While most businesses are tech enabled, you do not necessarily need to be a “tech company” to be considered. Our companies range across various types of products/services: SaaS, mobile apps, e-commerce, CPG, food, social enterprises, fashion, B2B software, health/wellness, AI, sports, beauty.

  • Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to accommodate any edits to applications once submitted.

  • While all members are encouraged to engage with content, a maximum of two co-founders / team members can attend the weekly live sessions.

  • This accelerator will cover key topics, such as:

    • Fundraising & Capital Pathways

    • Product-Market Fit

    • Team Building & Expansion

    • Growth & Operational Strategy

    • Marketing & Branding

  • While the primary program sessions will be self-directed online content and virtual zoom sessions, we will plan for some in-person community building opportunities.

  • In addition to joining our highly engaged, diverse, and generous community of alumni founders and community partners, selected companies will gain access to our platforms and tools perks package valued at $100K+, access to our engaged & supportive founder slack community, and access to our network of 3K+ industry mentors, experts, and investors.

  • Please reach out to programs@grid110.org

FOUND/LA supports local entrepreneurs to help them build their business, purpose, and community. They connect future and existing business owners—particularly women, immigrants, and minorities—with resources to help them succeed. That includes funding, educational tools, incubator-style workshops, unique mentorship opportunities, and most importantly, a community of other local entrepreneurs.

FOUND/LA works with partners to make sure entrepreneurs have access to the resources they need to grow their businesses. Through partners, FOUND/LA provides funding in the form of loans, as well as incubator-style workshops, training, and mentorship. FOUND/LA also creates a community of like-minded business owners who can learn from and alongside each other.

Learn more about FOUND/LA HERE.

Grid110 is an economic and community development non-profit dedicated to creating clear pathways to success for early-stage entrepreneurs. Their mission is to make the entrepreneurial path more equitable, inclusive and accessible. Grid110 supports companies across a diverse range of industries and stages through their no cost, no equity cohort-based accelerator programs.

Their alumni have raised $123M+ in outside capital, with 70% of the funding raised by women founders and 72% by founders of color. For every $1 donated, Grid110 generates $42 back into the community, in addition to the 625+ local jobs that Grid110 companies have created. Grid110 is an award-winning organization that fosters the most thriving, inviting, and inclusive community for entrepreneurs and puts their founders’ needs first.

Learn more about Grid110 HERE.