Lunar Startups
Lunar Startups is a successful model for startup acceleration specializing in growth, connection, and innovation for Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, women, and non-bin…
Lunar Startups at a glance
| Address | St. Paul, MN, United States |
|---|---|
| Programmes | 2 standing programmes |
| Official website | www.lunarstartups.org |
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at Lunar Startups, separate from the funding calls above.
Lunar Startups Accelerator
AcceleratorA 14-week customized cohort program supporting underinvested founders with growth, connection, and innovation.
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The program is designed for CEOs who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, women, and non-binary. It is best suited for companies focused on scaling their business, particularly in technology and consumer packaged goods (CPG). The program includes 1-on-1 executive business coaching, expert mentorship, access to legal services, skill-building workshops, monthly founder meetings, and membership in the Global Accelerator Network (GAN). Participants gain access to the Lunar Startup Library and work on company milestones. The program requires startups to have a product or service in the marketplace with traction, be for-profit, and be based in or doing significant business in Minnesota. It does not provide direct investment but aims to equip founders for capital readiness.
Lunar Everywhere
PlatformA digital cohort and coaching experience providing entrepreneurial resources for operational excellence and infrastructure scalability.
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Lunar Everywhere serves as a digital learning platform and a digital asset library and learning hub where CEOs can access trusted, relevant resources to accelerate their business.
Incubation tracks
Lunar Startups runs a virtual track, so you can join without relocating.
| Track | Type | Space | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunar Startups AcceleratorThis 14-week program costs $499, payable in two installments. It is in-person for Fall 2024 at the ConnectUP! Institute Office in Saint Paul, MN, with virtual options for 1:1 coaching. The program targets technology and consumer packaged goods (CPG) focused, for-profit companies with a product or service in the marketplace and demonstrable traction. Applicants should be based in Minnesota or doing significant business within Minnesota. | Acceleration | — | 1-on-1 executive business coaching, expert mentorship, solid business design plans, Lunar Startup Library, access to legal services, skill-building workshops, monthly founder meetings, Lunar Expert Network, Global Accelerator Network (GAN) membership perks, company milestones support |
| Lunar EverywhereA free digital learning platform and learning hub for CEOs. | Virtual incubation | — | digital cohort experience, coaching experience, entrepreneurial resources, operational excellence resources, infrastructure scalability resources |
Labs & facilities
Equipment and space on campus.
ConnectUP! Institute Office
Access via ConnectUP! Institute
For in-person weekly workshops and optional 1:1 executive coaching sessions.
Support services
Help offered alongside funding and space.
About Lunar Startups
Lunar Startups pioneers inclusive entrepreneurial experiences for underinvested founders, including Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, women, and non-binary entrepreneurs. The organization supports high-growth companies in Minnesota by accelerating their growth, connection, and innovation. Lunar Startups offers the Lunar Startups Accelerator, a customized cohort program that provides executive coaching, workshops, expert mentorship, tech perks, and legal services. It also provides Lunar Everywhere, a digital platform with entrepreneurial resources. As of August 2023, the Lunar Accelerator program was acquired by ConnectUP! Institute, a non-profit social finance and enterprise development studio, and is now embedded within it. Lunar alumni are integrated into the ConnectUP! Community, gaining access to ConnectUP!'s Integrated Capital Fund for potential funding opportunities. Lunar Startups aims to prepare businesses for capital readiness rather than investing directly.
Who they work with
Tags
Frequently asked questions about Lunar Startups
What does Lunar Startups do?
Lunar Startups pioneers inclusive entrepreneurial experiences for underinvested founders, including Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, women, and non-binary entrepreneurs. The organization supports high-growth companies in Minnesota by accelerating their growth, connection, and innovation.
Where is Lunar Startups located?
Lunar Startups is located at St. Paul, MN, United States.
What programs does Lunar Startups run?
Lunar Startups runs Lunar Startups Accelerator and Lunar Everywhere.
What facilities does Lunar Startups offer?
Incubatees also get access to ConnectUP! Institute Office through its host institution.
Recommended grants & schemes
Other open programmes matching Lunar Startups's focus areas.
