Amplify, a new mentor-driven startup accelerator, today announced it is setting up shop near Google in Venice Beach. The program touts a solid roster of investors with unmatched media and entertainment ties including: Mark Burnett (Apprentice, Survivor), Brian Grazer (J. Edgar, 24), and Jarl Mohn (E! Entertainment, MTV), along with some of the tech community’s most respected venture capitalists and angel investors: Accel Partners, BV Capital, Greycroft Partners, Rustic Canyon, Tomorrow Ventures, Tim Draper, Gordon Crawford, Vivi Nevo, Paige Craig, Diego Berdakin and Tom McInerney. Click here for a complete list.
Paul Bricault (Greycroft Partners, William Morris Agency) and Richard Wolpert (Accel, Real Networks, Disney) are leading Amplify’s management team.
The accelerator is currently renovating the historic building at 1600 Main Street in Venice designed by famous architect Steven Ehrlich. The 10,000 square foot property, where part of the Venice roller coaster once stood, will soon be a central hub for LA’s tech scene. Among its many functions, the campus will house Amplify’s accelerator classes, and attract top experts across business, design, development, finance, law and more to network and share resources with the community.
“The convergence of tech and entertainment is finally happening in Los Angeles, and I couldn’t be more excited to help Amplify bring these worlds together,” said Mark Burnett.
“Los Angeles has worked exceptionally hard at building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, and it’s naturally converging along the coastline,” said Paul Bricault. “Now it’s time to raise our city’s tech profile even further by putting a stake in the ground and letting everyone know where they can go to find community support and education. The Amplify campus will be that very place.”
HOW IT WORKS: Amplify will provide its portfolio companies with four months of intense collaboration designed to amplify their startups for success. Featuring a rolling curriculum, companies can apply and be admitted at any time. In addition to traditional foundational support and services, Amplify members will receive:
Up to $50k in seed capital and the opportunity for follow-on support
Dedicated office space with VIP access to community workshops and events
Hands-on, weekly mentor meetings with seasoned entrepreneurs
3-year hiatus on city taxes
“Digital entrepreneurship is really starting to blossom in Venice with the likes of Amplify and Google,” said Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa. “As a high-tech incubator, Amplify will help nurture a new generation of businesses, creating more jobs and more opportunity right here in Los Angeles.”
About Amplify.LA
Based in Los Angeles, California’s historic Venice Beach, Amplify.LA is a hands-on startup accelerator designed to help members amplify their companies for success. The program operates from a 10,000 square foot entrepreneurial campus originally designed by renowned architect, Steven Ehrlich. Amplify.LA’s investors, mentors and management include some of the most connected names in media and entertainment. To learn more, please click here.
Amplify Venice Beach
1600 Main Street
Venice Beach 90291