Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Start Engine Takes On Startup Acceleration
In an unprecedented surge in startup support activity in Los Angeles this morning, another venture startup accelerator, Start Engine, formally launched this morning, applying the accelerator model to startup in the Los Angeles area. Start Engine, started by Activision co-founder Howard Marks and investor Paul Kessler, said today that it is looking to provide mentorship, funding, and other resources to startups in the area, starting with a first class in January. The accelerator is one of nearly a dozen startup accelerators in some stage of formation in the Southern California region to emerge in recent months. Marks said that Start Engine will accept thirty startups per session, which will receive office space, legal counsel, optional investment, and opportunity to participate in weekly dinners, educational seminars, mentoring, and more. Among the mentors involved are Josh Berman (co-founder of Myspace and CEO of Beachmint), Vince Broady (founder and CEO of thisMoment), Jay Herratti (CEO of CityGrid Media), David Hughes (CEO of Search Agency), Fred Krueger (CEO of Shoe Privee), and Ken Ramberg (founder of JOBTRAK and co-founder and president of GoodSearch). On the venture side, Greg Martin of Archer Venture Capital and Rick Smith of Crosscut Ventures are among the investors associated with Start Engine.