StartX Fund

StartX is a non-profit startup accelerator and founder community associated with Stanford University, dedicated to advancing the development of high-potential entrepreneurs through experiential education and collective intelligence. The organization offers a comprehensive accelerator program that provides founders with access to a powerful network of entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and industry partners, along with office space and various other resources. StartX operates without taking equity from the startups it supports, fostering a collaborative environment for innovation and growth.

The accelerator program is open to Stanford students, faculty, alumni, and staff, as well as individuals with a strong connection to the Stanford community. StartX's portfolio spans a wide range of industries, including technology, healthcare, biotechnology, consumer internet, enterprise software, medical devices, hardware, cleantech, legal, edtech, fintech, media, consumer goods, energy, and transportation. The organization has a proven track record, with its companies collectively raising over $8 billion in funding and achieving valuations exceeding $25 billion. Notable alumni include companies like Patreon, Kodiak Sciences, Lime, Eargo, Protocol Labs, Ethos Insurance, OpenSea, Nearpod, and Lucira.

In 2013, Stanford University and Stanford Health Care established the Stanford-StartX Fund to invest in current and alumni StartX companies. This fund aims to support the entrepreneurial endeavors of Stanford-affiliated startups by providing financial backing alongside other venture capital and angel investors. To receive investment from the Stanford-StartX Fund, companies must raise at least $500,000 from professional investors. The fund has been instrumental in helping numerous startups accelerate their growth and bring innovative solutions to market. However, in 2019, Stanford announced the discontinuation of its funding for the Stanford-StartX Fund, as StartX had achieved financial self-sustainability. Despite this, StartX continues to collaborate with Stanford University and other partners to support entrepreneurs and foster innovation within the Stanford community.