Startopoly is a brand new Seed Accelerator helping startup software companies in Houston Texas
startopoly
Startopoly is a Houston Based
Seed Accelerator
We're organizing an experienced group of entrepreneurs to offer a small amount of seed capital and an intensive hands-on mentorship program to selected early stage software companies
Startup Entrepreneurs
Startopoly is seeking interesting, scalable web-based business startups that would like to receive intense mentorship from seasoned industry veterans along with a small cash investment. The companies that we will choose should be prepared to live in Houston, be open to advice - what we call 'coachable', and commit to building a business that has the potential to grow larger than a lifestyle company. Startopoly should be viewed as a sort of graduate program for startups - practical, real-world advice coupled wwith tactical support from both the mentors and the service providers affiliated with the program. The program is closely modeled on Austin-based http://www.capitalfactory.com.
Mentor Investors
The key to the entire program is the mentor/investors who give their time as well as their money to support the entrepreneurs who are accepted to the program. Mentors will be selected based on a willingness and capacity to mentor the companies, as well as the depth of practical 'been there, done that' experience in the current software startup market. Objectively successful software entrepreneurs are the only people being considered for the mentor roles. The strong reputations of the mentors is the single most important factor in attracting interesting startups and the continued hands-on involvement of the mentors is single largest factor in obtaining a successful startup outcome.
Service Providers
Startups need all types of services but oftentimes do not have the means to pay listed rates. Startopoly is asking selected service providers to address this issue by donating or deeply discounting certain startup-oriented services to the accepted companies. The implicit understanding is that the companies will grow to the point that they will become long-term, full rate clients of the service providers over time. An additional benefit to become a service provider is that they will be showcased in all of Startopoly's high visibility marketing materials and PR efforts. Service providers may also be called upon to mentor startups, though they will not participate in the investor equity pool.