Incubation Programs for early-stage technology startups
EvoNexus incubates early-stage startups working in FinTech, MedTech, CommTech and Embedded Tech
Startups receive support with fundraising, corporate connections, mentorship, and more, for only 1% common equity upon admission.
"Startups are Life... Everything before and after is just waiting"
Rory Moore, CEO & co-founder, EvoNexus
Our program helps companies
- build their teams,
- develop their minimum viable product,
- refine their market,
- secure venture capital,
- collaborate with strategic customers,
- and graduate with the tools and support needed to survive in the wild.
Benefits of Incubation at EvoNexus
Custom & Structured Incubation Experience
Our 2-year program combined with our individualized milestone-based structure fosters a path to long-term sustainability.
Long-Term Residency – We know that startups need long-term support on their path to sustainability. Unlike other accelerator models that churn through cohorts in 3-4 months, we incubate companies for up to 2 years.
Milestone-Based Structure – We know that every startup has a different path to success. Each of our startups define their own milestones to tracks their product, customers, sales, etc., and report against them during check-ins.
Monthly Check-Ins – Our startups lead monthly check-ins with their EvoNexus portfolio manager and mentors, during which they describe their progress, problems, and plans. Together we continually refine objectives for each startup and assist in execution.
Fundraising
Pitch Scrubs – Refine your pitch to be VC ready through our educational workshops, pitch practices, and individualized pitch scrubs.
Demo Day – Showcase your technology to potential investors, customers, and partners, in the expansive EvoNexus network.
Access to Capital – Meet angel investors, venture capitalists, and strategic investors who are attracted to our startups because of our track record of success. These investors are frequently seen walking the halls of EvoNexus.
Mentorship & Domain Expertise
Our mentors volunteer their time to help bolster the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
World-Class Domain Experts – EvoNexus mentors are accomplished executives, entrepreneurs, and investors who voluntarily dedicate themselves to diving deep, making valuable connections, and advising startups based on their own industry experience. Each startup selects their own mentors to provide guidance throughout incubation.
Strategic & Corporate Network – EvoNexus partners with the most influential technology corporations in the world who often meet with EvoNexus startups to give assistance, ranging from early business unit exposure, technology steering, customer trials, and participation in early-stage funding.
Office Hours – Committed professionals dedicate their time to provide value free of charge to our startups. Leading VC firms offer fundraising advice, top law firms offer legal advice, and successful entrepreneurs provide guidance and stories from the field.
Community
Brand – Displaying the EvoNexus logo and those of our corporate partners provides validation for your venture recognized by investors and strategic partners. They know that EvoNexus startups undergo a highly competitive and rigorous vetting process.
Facility – EvoNexus provides beautiful co-working facilities. Our spaces are optimized for collaboration and technology development. The facilities feature conference rooms, phone booths, and dedicated dry lab space for hardware development
Community – Our programming and facilities foster collaboration amongst our entrepreneurs. Our startups form partnerships with each other and become each other’s first customers, introduce each other to investors, and so much more. EvoNexus community members lift each other up.
Resources
EvoNexus has partnered with organizations and service providers to curate free and discounted resources for our startups. See our Partners page for some of the companies that provide resources to our startups.
Benefits of Incubation at EvoNexus
Our 2-year program combined with our individualized milestone-based structure and 1 on 1 mentoring fosters a path to long-term sustainability. Over 85% of EvoNexus portfolio companies have secured venture funding from over 300+ VCs and independent investors.
Custom & Structured Incubation Experience
Our 2-year program combined with our individualized milestone-based structure fosters a path to long-term sustainability.
Long-Term Residency – We know that startups need long-term support on their path to sustainability. Unlike other accelerator models that churn through cohorts in 3-4 months, we incubate companies for up to 2 years.
Milestone-Based Structure – We know that every startup has a different path to success. Each of our startups define their own milestones to tracks their product, customers, sales, etc., and report against them during check-ins.
Monthly Check-Ins – Our startups lead monthly check-ins with their EvoNexus portfolio manager and mentors, during which they describe their progress, problems, and plans. Together we continually refine objectives for each startup and assist in execution.
Fundraising
Pitch Scrubs – Refine your pitch to be VC ready through our educational workshops, pitch practices, and individualized pitch scrubs.
Demo Day – Showcase your technology to potential investors, customers, and partners, in the expansive EvoNexus network.
Access to Capital – Meet angel investors, venture capitalists, and strategic investors who are attracted to our startups because of our track record of success. These investors are frequently seen walking the halls of EvoNexus.
Mentorship & Domain Expertise
Our mentors volunteer their time to help bolster the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
World-Class Domain Experts – EvoNexus mentors are accomplished executives, entrepreneurs, and investors who voluntarily dedicate themselves to diving deep, making valuable connections, and advising startups based on their own industry experience. Each startup selects their own mentors to provide guidance throughout incubation.
Strategic & Corporate Network – EvoNexus partners with the most influential technology corporations in the world who often meet with EvoNexus startups to give assistance, ranging from early business unit exposure, technology steering, customer trials, and participation in early-stage funding.
Office Hours – Committed professionals dedicate their time to provide value free of charge to our startups. Leading VC firms offer fundraising advice, top law firms offer legal advice, and successful entrepreneurs provide guidance and stories from the field.
Community
Brand – Displaying the EvoNexus logo and those of our corporate partners provides validation for your venture recognized by investors and strategic partners. They know that EvoNexus startups undergo a highly competitive and rigorous vetting process.
Facility – EvoNexus provides beautiful co-working facilities. Our spaces are optimized for collaboration and technology development. The facilities feature conference rooms, phone booths, and dedicated dry lab space for hardware development
Community – Our programming and facilities foster collaboration amongst our entrepreneurs. Our startups form partnerships with each other and become each other’s first customers, introduce each other to investors, and so much more. EvoNexus community members lift each other up.
Resources
EvoNexus has partnered with organizations and service providers to curate free and discounted resources for our startups. See our Partners page for some of the companies that provide resources to our startups.
How it works
Qualified startups go through a rigorous process in order to join EvoNexus’ low-cost, high-touch program that has proven itself over the years. We are highly selective, so if you’re accepted, know that you are amongst the best of the best
Requirements
Pay It Forward – EvoNexus is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization. We require 1% fully dilutable common stock from a startup to join our long-term residency program. EvoNexus uses this fee and all sponsorship dollars to help run the non-profit organization and support the California innovation community.
Participate – Our community is created by each participant. We ask our startups to come prepared to their check-ins, and to participate in founders night and other events that we curate for the teams.
Be Transparent – We can only help you if we know the full context of your company. Be assured that every EvoNexus employee and volunteer has signed a Code of Conduct that protects the information that you share. So please share!
Qualifications
EvoNexus seeks startups that fit these general criteria:
Stage – Post idea-stage, with a working prototype or demo
Market – Solving a big problem in a large market with a unique solution
Technology & Product – Innovative with a clear competitive advantage
Team – At least 2 full-time founders, with domain and /or startup expertise
Finance – Typically Pre-seed to pre-Series A legally incorporated company, with at least a 6-month runway
Admission Process
The EvoNexus vetting process is conducted by our Selection Committee that consists of EvoNexus staff, key stakeholders from our corporate sponsors, and other domain experts who add value in the decision making.
Application – Our admission process begins with your application on F6S. Think you are ready to apply? Submit your application here. If we need more information, we will contact you.
Scoring – The EvoNexus Selection Committee evaluates your submission to decide whether to move forward.
Initial Meeting – We conduct a one-hour virtual meeting with you, with the goal of verifying alignment between your venture and the EvoNexus organization.
Due Diligence – After studying a full set of due-diligence documents that you send us, we conduct a two-hour virtual meeting, inviting some additional domain experts. Prior to the final due diligence meeting we may also arrange technical and financial due diligence calls.
Final Decision – we get back to you within 24 hours on the Selection Committee’s final decision. EvoNexus’ program has a 5% acceptance rate – if you are accepted, you are the best of the best!
Requirements & Qualifications
Requirements
Pay It Forward – EvoNexus is a 501 c-6 non-profit organization. We require 1% equity from a startup to join our long-term residency program. EvoNexus uses this fee and all sponsorship dollars to help run the non-profit organization and support the California innovation community.
Participate – Our community is created by each participant. We ask our startups to come prepared to their check-ins, and to participate in founders night and other events that we curate for the teams.
Be Transparent – We can only help you if we know the full context of your company. Be assured that every EvoNexus employee and volunteer has signed a Code of Conduct that protects the information that you share. So please share!
Qualifications
Are you a fit for EvoNexus?
Stage – Post idea-stage, with a working prototype or demo
Market – Solving a big problem in a large market with a unique solution
Technology & Product – Innovative with a clear competitive advantage
Team – At least 2 full-time founders, with domain and /or startup expertise
Finance – Typically Pre-seed to pre-Series A legally incorporated company, with at least a 6-month runway
Admission Process
The EvoNexus vetting process is conducted by our Selection Committee that consists of EvoNexus staff, key stakeholders from our corporate sponsors, and other domain experts who add value in the decision making.
Application – Our admission process begins with your application on F6S. Think you are ready to apply? Submit your application [here]. If we need more information, we will contact you.
Scoring – The EvoNexus Selection Committee evaluates your submission to decide whether to move forward.
Initial Meeting – We conduct a one-hour virtual meeting with you, with the goal of verifying alignment between your venture and the EvoNexus organization.
Due Diligence – After studying a full set of due-diligence documents that you send us, we conduct a two-hour virtual meeting, inviting some additional domain experts. Prior to the final due diligence meeting we may also arrange technical and financial due diligence calls.
Final Decision – we get back to you within 24 hours on the Selection Committee’s final decision. EvoNexus’ program has a 5% acceptance rate – if you are accepted, you are the best of the best!
Apply for Incubation at EvoNexus
01.
Requirements & Qualifications
Admission into the incubator requires that you be a legally incorporated company with a leadership team able to dedicate time and energy to the business on a full-time basis.
EvoNexus requires 1% equity (1% fully diluted capitalization) from your company in the form of common stock to participate in our program. This 1% equity is our “fee” which helps to support our non-profit organization. EvoNexus does not charge any other fees for the duration of your incubation. Companies who may be at a later fundraising stage are individually considered against this requirement.
Stage
Post-idea stage with a working prototype or demo
Market
Solving a big problem in a large market with a unique technology solution
Technology & Product
Innovative with a clear competitive advantage
Team
At least two full-time Founders with domain or startup expertise is advantageous
Finance
Typicall Pre-Seed to Pre-Series A, with the ability to work full-time on the venture during the program
02.
Submit Application & Scoring
Ventures interested in incubation at EvoNexus must submit an application here. Following review of your application, you will be contacted for an initial meeting with a group of EvoNexus volunteers versed in the science of your technology to determine if your venture is fitting for deeper evaluation in due diligence.
03.
Initial Meeting
Companies that pass initial scoring are invited for an initial meeting with a focus group of EvoNexus staff and volunteers to verify alignment between your venture and the EvoNexus organization. Companies are invited for a one-hour meeting.
04.
Due Diligence
EvoNexus hand pairs your venture with a focus group of the EvoNexus selection committee to review your venture in a 2-hour long technical meeting. This meeting provides the EvoNexus selection committee an opportunity for a thorough deep-dive of your venture to ensure alignment with the opportunities that EvoNexus may provide to your venture.
While each EvoNexus Selection Committee member signs a Code of Conduct outlining the respect of information contained in your application, EvoNexus does not enter into non-disclosure agreements for the due diligence and admission process. Please do not disclose any proprietary business or technological information.
05.
Admission & Onboarding
EvoNexus considers a range of things when admitting companies, including the scale and scope of the problem or opportunity you are proposing to address, your ability to differentiate from would-be competitors, your go-to-market approach, and your founding team. In terms of suggestions for strengthening your application, you might consider the following:
- Make sure you have the right mix of skills for the business you are proposing to address
- Show us your idea in action. Build a prototype, prove it can work!
- Demonstrate that you’ve done the leg work to validate your idea. Explore your market channels, talk to would-be customers, validate requirements, and test for willingness to pay
- A product today whose experience could be uniquely enhanced with 5G
- A product which will unlock significant value for the 5G ecosystem
- Products that uniquely leverage 5G-specific characteristics
06.
Regular Engagement & Check-Ins
organization, product, customers, sales, marketing, and financing. The milestone chart is used during monthly check-ins with mentors to hold startups accountable and help create a realistic roadmap to success. Ventures maintain frequent touch points with EvoNexus and their mentors, and meet for monthly check-ins at minimum.