Organization · Accelerator
Plug In Ventures
Plug In Ventures is a nonprofit startup accelerator based in South Los Angeles, focusing on empowering early-stage companies led by underrepresented founders. They aim to drive economic development through innovation and mentorship.
Overview
What Plug In Ventures does
What Plug In Ventures is
Plug In Ventures is a nonprofit startup accelerator based in South Los Angeles, focusing on empowering early-stage companies led by underrepresented founders. They aim to drive economic development through innovation and mentorship.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host and community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Accelerator
- Founded
- Founded in 2015
- Approximate age
- About 11 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host · Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- March 27, 2026
What Accelerator means
An accelerator is a structured, short-term program designed to speed up a startup's progress toward product-market fit, traction, fundraising, or scale.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find Plug In Ventures elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Plug In Ventures as a funder
Investment thesis
Plug In Ventures supports early-stage and venture-backable founders, particularly from underrepresented communities, by fostering collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate partners.
Focus narrative
Plug In Ventures invests in diverse founders, particularly those from underrepresented communities, focusing on sectors such as fintech, healthcare, climate, and media. Their programs are designed for late seed-stage companies, particularly in Enterprise AI and Automation, aiming to bridge the gap between early traction and Series A readiness.
Value beyond capital
Plug In Ventures provides non-dilutive capital, sales development, and investor access through its programs, particularly the Enterprise Growth Residency for late seed-stage companies.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Seed · Seed+ · Series A
- Sectors
- FintechHealthcareClimate & SustainabilityMedia & EntertainmentArtificial IntelligenceSaaS & Cloud Software
- Regions
- Global
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 5
Portfolio context
Notable companies that have participated in Plug In Ventures' programs include: Hyve: A platform founded by Jibril Jackson. Esqapes Immersive Relaxation: Founded by Micah Jackson, this company pairs virtual environments with massage services. Spooler, Inc.: Founded by Benjamen Janey, this tech-driven apparel company focuses on socially conscious products. Gro Lens: Founded by Ron Johnson, this software-as-a-service company. Me Tyme Network: Founded by Remy Meraz, this behavioral health platform.
Capability profile
Plug In Ventures as a program host
Program thesis
Plug In Ventures is a community-driven platform that supports early-stage and venture-backable founders, fostering innovation and business growth.
Focus narrative
Plug In Ventures invests in diverse founders, particularly those from underrepresented communities, focusing on sectors such as fintech, healthcare, climate, and media. Their programs are designed for late seed-stage companies, particularly in Enterprise AI and Automation, aiming to bridge the gap between early traction and Series A readiness.
Value and support
Plug In Ventures offers programs that provide non-dilutive capital, sales development, and investor access to support the growth of late seed-stage companies.
Format and cadence
- Typical duration
- 52 weeks
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Seed
- Regions
- Global
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Notable companies that have participated in Plug In Ventures' programs include: Hyve: A platform founded by Jibril Jackson. Esqapes Immersive Relaxation: Founded by Micah Jackson, this company pairs virtual environments with massage services. Spooler, Inc.: Founded by Benjamen Janey, this tech-driven apparel company focuses on socially conscious products. Gro Lens: Founded by Ron Johnson, this software-as-a-service company. Me Tyme Network: Founded by Remy Meraz, this behavioral health platform.
Capability profile
Plug In Ventures as a community
Community overview
Plug In Ventures is a community-driven platform that supports early-stage and venture-backable founders. Founded in 2015, it has established an ecosystem where entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate partners collaborate to foster innovation and business growth.
Community focus
Plug In Ventures invests in diverse founders, particularly those from underrepresented communities, focusing on sectors such as fintech, healthcare, climate, and media. Their programs are designed for late seed-stage companies, particularly in Enterprise AI and Automation, aiming to bridge the gap between early traction and Series A readiness.
Member value
Members gain access to a collaborative ecosystem that includes networking opportunities, mentorship, and resources to help them grow their businesses and prepare for Series A funding.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Benefits
- network-access and mentorship
- Program types
- community and accelerator
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Seed · Seed+
- Regions
- Global
Community activity
- Annual events
- 1
Events and activity
Plug In Ventures hosts the Urban Tech Connect conference, an annual event that brings together founders, investors, and industry leaders to discuss innovation and entrepreneurship, featuring discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Notable members
Notable companies that have participated in Plug In Ventures' programs include Hyve, Esqapes Immersive Relaxation, Spooler, Inc., Gro Lens, and Me Tyme Network.
Capability profile
Plug In Ventures as an event host
Event focus
Plug In Ventures is dedicated to investing in diverse founders, particularly those from underrepresented communities. The organization focuses on sectors such as fintech, healthcare, climate, and media, with programs designed for late seed-stage companies, especially in Enterprise AI and Automation. Their goal is to bridge the gap between early traction and Series A readiness.
Format narrative
Plug In Ventures offers a variety of programs, including a 12-month Enterprise Growth Residency for late seed-stage companies and a Pre-Accelerator for early-stage startups. They also host the Urban Tech Connect conference, which features discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Participant value
Plug In Ventures provides a community-driven platform that fosters collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate partners, aimed at driving innovation and business growth.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- conference
- Recurrence
- annual
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and fit
- Stages
- Seed · Seed+
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Regions
- Global
Upcoming events
Events directly connected to Plug In Ventures
Events appear only when the source contains a direct organization relationship. Each card opens on Luma.
Common questions
What to know about Plug In Ventures
Upseed classifies Plug In Ventures under the Accelerator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, program host, community, and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 27, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.