StartupPilot | Techstars New York Powered by J.P. Morgan Partnership
At StartupPilot Global Accelerator, we are more than just an accelerator. By leveraging AI, we match founders with investors and advisors who are interested in their stage and industry. When a suitable match is found, we automate the follow-up process for seamless interactions.
Our 6-week online course helps you become investor-ready and viable. Additionally, our demo day enables global founders to pitch accredited investors for valuable feedback.
6-Week
Course
6-week curriculum (see below) AND live, weekly group coaching calls for business critical questions.
AI Matches to Advisors/Investors
Our AI helps founders get matched to investors, and world-class experts from companies such as Google, Netflix and Square that can help guide you and open doors - with automated follow ups.
Online
Demo Day
Pitch active investors for real-world feedback and direction on your pitch, business model, team and more
Qualified StartupPilot Global startups get white-glove treatment with Techstars New York Powered by J.P. Morgan, this includes:
1) Getting fast-tracked to the live interview stage for applications to Techstar's $120,000 investment
2) Direct feedback from Techstars investment associates on your pitch - where appropriate
3) Access to live, online office hours with Techstars New York Team and special events
Managing Director- Kali Ilunga
Kali has worked with 350 startups. In past accelerators, he has bridged entrepreneurs with a network of 300+ angel investors once they were investor-ready. As Managing Director of StartupPilot Global, he has assembled 50 world-class coaches from companies such as Netflix, Google, and Square, as well as veteran entrepreneurs - so that entrepreneurs can build viable businesses from anywhere. He is also a keynote speaker that has spoken at over 30 conferences around the world.
As an entrepreneur - Kali has raised funding from New York, Silicon Valley, and Johannesburg. He has partnered with Microsoft to educate 55 000 people - via mobile and has worked with clients such as Walt Disney, Coca-Cola, and Goldfields. Kali has created apps that have now been downloaded over 1.5M times across the world, focusing on user experiences that make a real-world difference to end-users on a learning path.
Founder Testimonials
Alexandra Galindez | Founder - The Brand Consulting (New York)
Working with Kali and his team allowed us to experiment with new business models, improve our sales contracts in ways that led to new revenue - at a key moment in the business.
Ryan Isbell | Founder - Possible Reality (Los Angeles)
The startup program made an introduction to a key advisor, who had sold companies in my industry. I was also able to pitch to investors and get some feedback.
Sima and Moses | Founders - Ejoobi (Johannesburg)
Kali personally introduced us to key advisors, investors and experts in his network that have helped us to raise funding, generate revenue and be accepted into global programs.
Recent Graduates
Canada
USA
USA
Canada
Belgium
South Africa
Recent Demo Day Pitches
Possible Reality
Adding Identity to Gaming | USA
Castocity
Making Podcasting Profitable | USA
eCampus
Learning on the Go | Ghana
These are things the team will help you with
- Becoming investor-ready so you can grow your business, hire people, develop your tech etc. (our program advisors have raised over $45 million for their startups, and helped 150+ other startups around the world)
- Connect you to experts/veteran entrepreneurs/investors in Silicon Valley and beyond to help you create your sales, marketing, tech and product strategies - and be on your advisory board
- Give you an investor-ready score (based on angel investor experience investing in startups globally) so that you have a step by step guide to fundraising
- Place you in a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who are raising or have raised funding so you can learn from each other
- Create the right narrative to attract investors and customers
Course Curriculum
- Week 3 Lecture - Creating, Scaling and Measuring your Pilots (58:46)
- Class Presentation PDF
- Creating a Go To Market Strategy (71:09)
- Designing for Revenue by Lead Designer at Netflix (Program Advisor) (76:30)
- Three Keys to Launch Your Product by Google PMM (Program Advisor) (45:35)
- Startup Social Media Marketing in 2020 by Jakiya Brown (Program Advisor) (47:09)
- This Week's Tasks
How Does It Work
Previous Judges on Demo Day
Mariah Lichetenstern
At the intersection of technology, entertainment, and venture capital, Mariah Lichtenstern accelerates positive social, economic, and environmental impact through entrepreneurship. Mariah is the Founding Partner of DiverseCity Ventures and Managing Director of the Founder Institute, Sacramento Chapter. An alumna of UC Berkeley, USC, and UCLA, she is a member of UCLA Ventures, and serves as an advisor for CalSEED CleanTech Fund, Berkeley SkyDeck, Village Capital Finance Forward US, and the Yale School of Medicine's Digital Innovation and Diversity Initiative
- Crunchbase: '39 Black Women In Venture Capital Inspiring a New Generation of Investors'
- NAWBO 2019 Innovator of the Year
Steph Eberle
As General Counsel and Head of Limited Partner Relations, Stephan is responsible for Scale Venture's fund and portfolio legal matters as well as the key point of contact for Limited Partners. Before Scale, Stephan spent 17 years at Silicon Valley Bank, most recently as Deputy General Counsel. At SVB, Stephan was responsible for global business legal support, strategic relationships and product development, regulatory and compliance, and governance issues.
Jeff Wallace
Jeff is a Founding Investor and former President and Managing Partner of the Batchery, a Bay Area-based global incubator for seed stage startups poised for rapid growth which was
founded by 50 veteran Investor-Advisors ready to provide entrepreneurs with ideas, insights and
networks. Secured over $40 Million in equity and debt financing from accredited, angel investors, strategic partners and banking institutions. Adjunct Professor at UC Berkeley.
Eric Osiakwan
Eric Osiakwan, Managing Partner of Chanzo Capital is an Entrepreneur and Investor with 15 years of ICT industry leadership across Africa and the world. He has worked in 32 African countries setting up ISPs, ISPAs, IXPs and hightech startups. He Co-Founded Angel Africa List, Angel Fair Africa and currently serves on the board of Farmerline, Hubtel, Forhey, Teranga Solutions, Hotel Online, Wala, Amp.it, SameLogic, Wanjo Foods, Airshop , Rapid Expense, NestSquare , Data Integrated, Ghana Cyber City and WABco – some of which are his investments
Po Chi Wu
Po Chi is an innovation provocateur, evangelist, educator, venture capitalist, entrepreneur. - with vast experience with startups across the world. Greatest satisfaction - inspiring and guiding talented
innovators, contributing to dynamic, healthy ecosystems where people build value for themselves and for others.
Richard Kerby
Richard is Co-Founder and General Partner at Equal Ventures. Before co-founding Equal Ventures, Richard was an investor at Venrock, where he led seed-stage and Series A stage investments in 6Sense, Amino Apps, Beckon, Burner, Luxe Valet, and Salsify.
Prior to joining Venrock, Richard was an investor at Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), where he focused on identifying and evaluating later-stage investments. While at IVP, Richard worked with IVP portfolio companies such as Dropbox, FleetMatics, PopSugar, Shazam, and Yext. Before joining IVP, Richard worked in the Investment Banking Division of Credit Suisse.
FAQs
Can I join from ANY state/country?
Yes. The program is 100% online and designed for remote access.
When is the next cohort?
We run a cohort about once a quarter. Please email david@startuppilot.global for details.
What can founders expect?
First, founders complete the 6- week program (LIVE, online classes weekly).
Immediately after the 6-week program, we ask founders to submit:
1) Their final "key-signal scorecard",
2) 5 min pitch video, and
3) Their pitch deck.
Once they have been reviewed and the material is deemed investor-ready, we invite founders to:
- Pitch accredited, active investors (online) at a demo day for feedback
- Build an advisory board with investors, veteran founders, and experts (such as the lead designer @Netlfix, PM @Google and Integrated Marketing Lead @Instagram) so you can grow your business with their connections/expertise.
What is your track record?
Our team has worked with 200+ startups from 10 countries over the past three years. In their personal capacity - advisors have worked with startups that have raised over $60M.
See founder testimonials above.
Can I re-apply for advisors and demo day if I am not ready after the initial 6 weeks?
Yes. We will also give you feedback as to why your material was not investor-ready.
What kinds of startups do you work with?
Our program is best suited for startups that have raised less than $2M, have fewer than 10 employees, and are tech-enabled. We are industry agnostic (we have worked with startups from across 20 industries).
What criteria do you use to select startups?
We work with early-stage startups anywhere in the world. We give preference to startups with the potential to scale globally (no hyper-local solutions are selected at this stage), have a path to generate traction in difficult economic times, and have a credible founder(s).
What is the cost? Do you have a payment plan available?
We do not take equity. We are a fee-based acceleration program. Founders can pay $998 upfront OR pay $398 per month x 3 months.
How many startups per cohort?
We usually have 18 - 20 startups per cohort.
What can I expect at demo day?
A panel of active, accredited investors will listen to your pitch on zoom, and give you feedback. NOTE: We do not promise funds/investments from investors.
Why do you charge a fee for the program?
We are a business. We pay for our coaches, advisors and administrators' expertise - so that we can help founders increase their investor readiness and build viable startups. Our paid model allows us to run the program sustainably.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes - we offer underrepresented founders scholarships. 10 percent of every cohort is devoted to scholarship seats. To apply - click here
Is there a money-back guarantee if I don't enjoy the program?
If you do not see value in the program within 30 days of joining - we will issue a full refund (no questions asked).
How much time per week should I plan to participate in the program?
Average Total: 2 hours per week x 6 weeks.
There is a 1- hour live class every week, with a LIVE Q and A session.
Additionally, on average - founders spend an extra 1 hour per week performing activities and "homework."
The above are estimates and will vary based on the founders' experience. traction and knowledge.
How long will I have access to the community and platform?
Once a founder has joined the program, they have full access to the platform and community for three months.
How often is there a cohort?
We typically run at least one cohort per quarter.
How does the Techstars New York Powered by J.P. Morgan work?
At the end of the 6-week program - qualified StartupPilot Global startups get white-glove treatment with Techstars New York Powered by J.P. Morgan, this includes:
1) Getting fast-tracked to the live interview stage for applications to Techstar's $120,000 investment
2) Direct feedback from Techstars investment associates on your pitch - where appropriate
3) Access to live, online office hours with Techstars New York Team and special online events