Our program supports a select group of technology-driven, early-stage startups based in and around the Charlottesville area with long-term support, including: dedicated workspace, experienced founders-in-residence, monthly programming, experienced staff, a large network of industry experts, and access to over $50,000 in additional resources.
Our program has been funded and chartered to focus upon Software-, Hardware-, and Science-based startups across a range of industries.
Examples might include:
a new approach to managing data security on cloud services
a web-based platform to support data science education
a 3D printable and personalized knee brace
If your company is not in one of the sectors above, no sweat. We are happy to put you in touch with those organizations in our region who might be the better fit.
Our program has been funded and chartered to focus upon technology-driven companies in the domains of Software, Hardware across a range of industries. We have also worked with materials science and other biomedical applications.
Examples might include:
a new approach to managing data security on cloud services
a web-based platform to support data science education
a novel catheter to treat pulmonary embolism
a 3D printable and personalized knee brace
If your company is not in one of the sectors above, no sweat. We are happy to put you in touch with those organizations in our region who might be the better fit.
The 434 Accelerator is not well-suited for teams at the idea, prototype, or pre-MVP stage.
For these teams, we can offer some Studio support along with our Startup Series.
The most qualified Software teams will have an initial product at or in the market and be able to provide evidence of meaningful, yet perhaps still early demand.
Hardware and Science team should be at or beyond the proof-of-concept stage. For example, certain high- or deep-tech projects face significant technical questions during development which limit their ability to go-to market quickly.
We select teams for the program on a rolling basis, twelve-months out of the year. Thus, we do not have any specific application deadlines.
Our application includes a series of questions focused on basic company information (e.g., founders, location, ownership, industry, etc.) alongside additional materials including a pitch deck, exec summary, bios and LinkedIn profiles of the founders, as well as a video demo of some kind.
Potential applicants are first screened according to required eligibility (e.g., based in the region, target sectors, product stage, etc.). Those teams fully qualified to apply are then scheduled for an interview with our selection committee.
Our selection committee is comprised of individuals from the capital communities across the commonwealth; a mix of investors, grant makers, as well as ecosystem and economic developers.
As a long-format program, 434 is able to provide at least nine months of program support to selected companies.
Programming runs primarily from September until May, and involves check-ins, bespoke guidance, office hours with domain experts, monthly dinners, and more. Each team is also connected to one or more local founder(s) or expert(s), to help ground the team in our ecosystem.
Teams are invited to work out of our shared workspace on the downtown mall, and can use the space for meetings, office hours, mailing address, etc.
Participating teams are expected to attend check-ins, dinners & other events, as well as any scheduled workshops.
Leadership
Managing Director
