Beta Pre-Acceleration Program:
#1 In-Person Pre-Accelerator in Silicon Valley
Immerse Yourself in the Heart of Innovation
Gain immediate access to the resources, networks, and mentorship that have built Silicon Valley into the world’s leading startup ecosystem.
About the Program
Beta Pre-Acceleration Program is an 8-week pre-acceleration experience for founders who can be physically present in the Bay Area. This program offers direct exposure to Silicon Valley’s top minds, venture capitalists, and innovative founders. By immersing yourself in this vibrant ecosystem, you’ll gain the insights, connections, and confidence needed to propel your startup to new heights.
Cohort 10 applications are due by Friday, August 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT, with onboarding beginning the week of August 25, 2025, and the program officially kicking off on Monday, September 1, 2025. We review applications on a rolling basis, so spots may fill before the deadline. To maximize your chances of admission, we strongly recommend applying as early as possible.
Program Schedule
In 8 weeks, you will learn essential knowledge as a founder, including how to build and continuously iterate an MVP, design business models, find and validate markets, and enhance pitch skills, among other topics.
Every week, our advisors, including those who have participated in YC and other top-tier accelerator programs, will share their insights based on the weekly topics, providing comprehensive entrepreneurial analysis from the perspectives of investors and successful entrepreneurs.
Week 1
Validation
-
Define the Problem
-
Conduct Customer Research
-
Draft Initial Solution
-
Create Problem-Solution Fit Document
Week 5
Scale Up
-
Refine Your Pitch
-
Practice Pitching (Live Sessions)
-
Build Your Narrative
-
Start Pitch Deck Creation
Week 2
Market Fit
-
Perform Market Analysis
-
Build Customer Profiles
-
Map Customer Journey
-
Develop Product-Market Fit Hypothesis
Week 6
Pitch Deck
-
Learn Legal Basics for Startups
-
Map Out Growth & Development Roadmap
-
Finalize Your Pitch Deck
-
Plan Strategic Next Steps
Week 3
Business Models
-
Test Revenue Model
-
Build & Develop MVP
-
Track Early Traction Metrics
-
Conduct Early Revenue Testing
Week 7
Investor Relations
-
Identify Ideal Investors
-
Understand Investor Expectations
-
Build a Data Room
-
Plan Investor Outreach Strategy
Week 4
GTM (Go-to-Market)
-
Outline GTM Strategy
-
Identify Customer Acquisition Channels
-
Build Network for Growth
-
Launch & Test MVP
Week 8
Fundraising
-
Set Fundraising Goals & Timeline
-
Create a Fundraising Strategy
-
Practice Investor Pitches
-
Wrap-Up: Demo Day / Internal Pitch
Beta University Alumni Testimonials
Learn from the Best
Beta University is dedicated to providing comprehensive entrepreneurial guides and quality resources for early-stage entrepreneurs in North America. Beta's ecosystem contains over 80 experienced adviors from different sectors.
Timothy Chen
General Partner at Essence VC
Shyam Mani
Principal at AIX Venture
Nik Milanović
General Partner at The Fintech Fund
Brad Schnitzer
Investment Director, North America at Techstars
And more
...
Kenneth Stanley
Research Science Manager @OpenAI
Megan Ruan
Co-General Partner at Gold House Ventures
Brandon Farwell
General Partner at Xfund
Brooks Hosfield
Partner at SciFi VC
Alumni Stories
To date, Beta has successfully assisted over 50 teams in entering top-tier incubators such as Y Combinator, Techstars, 500 Global, etc. Some outstanding projects include:
Members.Land
Backed by Y Combinator
Nexad
Backed by A16Z, Point72 Ventures
AdsGency
Backed by HF0, Techstars
Brewit
Backed by Y Combinator
Suger.io
Backed by Y Combinator
Dream Voyage
Backed by A16Z
Awear
Backed by Techstars, Hustle Fund
Generation Lab
Backed by Sequoia Capital
Epal
Backed by A16Z
Yaretea
Backed by Berkeley Skydeck
Openmart
Backed by Y Combinator, Afore Capital
Final Round AI
Backed by Uncork Capital, Alumni Ventures
SCAM AI
Backed by Berkeley SkyDeck
Safebase
Backed by NEA, Y Combinator
Acquired by Drata for $250M
Tutti
Backed by Berkeley SkyDeck
MathGPT
Backed by Berkeley SkyDeck
Our Companies Raised From
We will organize events in collaboration with our partner investors to give founders valuable exposure and opportunities to start building their networks. We highly encourage you to take advantage of these events by registering early to secure your spot. It's a great way to connect with potential investors and expand your entrepreneurial journey.
Ecosystem Partner
We've teamed up with top service providers in the startup ecosystem, empowering founders with essential resources for success. This alliance streamlines operations, allowing entrepreneurs to channel their energies towards innovation and growth.
Q & A
Q1
Who should apply?
We work with pre-seed and early-stage founders. You can be at idea stage, MVP, or even have early revenue. What matters most is your commitment and a real problem worth solving.
Q3
What’s the selection process like?
Once you submit your application, our team will reach out to schedule a 15–30 minute interview to learn more about your startup. If it’s a fit, you’ll be invited to join the next cohort and complete enrollment.
Q5
Is there a fee to join?
The program is free, but we ask for a $599 refundable deposit to confirm your spot. We’ve found that a deposit helps founders stay committed, show up consistently, and get more value—leading to a stronger, more focused cohort.
To get your full deposit back, you just need to:
- Attend one 1-hour live session each week (7 total)
- Submit a short weekly check-in form (8 total)
Q2
How is Beta University different from other accelerators?
We focus on building fundable startups before you’re investor-ready. No pressure to raise money fast—just tactical, hands-on support from experienced operators and founders.
Q4
Is the program remote or in-person?
Hybrid. Required workshops are held virtually. We host regular in-person meetups and events in the SF Bay Area, especially in Palo Alto.
Q6
What’s the time commitment each week?
Expect to spend about 1.5–2 hours per week: 1-hour live session plus 15–30 minutes to complete a weekly check-in form and review materials. We designed the program to be flexible and manageable alongside your busy schedule.
Q7
Do you take equity?
No, we don’t take equity.
Q9
Do I need to be in the Bay Area to participate?
Nope! The core program is fully virtual and accessible from anywhere.
Q8
Do you make an investment in the startups?
We invest alongside top-tier venture firms in Silicon Valley, writing angel checks into high-performing startups. We have invested in companies like Rescale, Instacart, Him & Hers, Rippling, Substack and more.
Q10
Can my cofounder join the program too?
Yes! Cofounders are welcome to join and participate fully in the program at no additional cost. Just let us know when you apply so we can include them in all communications.
Is Beta University in-person or remote?
The program is entirely remote, with all live sessions conducted via Zoom. However, we organize in-person events in the Bay Area that we encourage you to attend.