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Accelerate your international growth.

Our Accelerator

Our 2023 program is a 4-month special program in New York City with an investment of up to $150,000, mentorship, network, and workspace for promising startups. In the batch, participants will:

Learn directly from top founders and mentors with successful fundraising experience.

Gain access to our mentor and investor network including their profound knowledge and extensive experience navigating the U.S. and Asia markets.

Our Accelerator Our Accelerator Our Accelerator

In the first five years of operation, our portfolio companies have raised $45 million after completing the accelerator program.

We are looking for

Founding teams with rich industry experience
Founders with international background and mindset
Early-stage companies in Pre-Seed or raising Seed.
Disruptive technology solutions
Global market potential
Teams striving to create positive social impact

Founders benefit from

1:1 Coaching
1:1 Coaching
Get coached by successful entrepreneurs, CEOs and startup founders.
Community & Alumni Network
Community & Alumni Network
Get continuous advice and support from our active alumni network.
Founder AMA Sessions
Founder AMA Sessions
Learn from speakers who have started, raised and exited companies.
Mentorship & Workshops
Mentorship & Workshops
Deep dive into subjects like growth hacking, sales, and recruiting at workshops given by our mentors.

Access to US, Asia & Beyond
Access to US, Asia & Beyond
Leverage our extensive international network with strong roots in the US and Asia.
Demo Day
Demo Day
Demo your product and pitch to a select, invite-only audience of angel, seed and VC investors.
Legal Setup & IP
Legal Setup & IP
Find legal assistance for international and domestic company formation and IP setup and protection.
Fundraising & Growth
Fundraising & Growth
Get up to $150K and then let us help you prepare for raising subsequent rounds.

At the end of the program, founders will have achieved product-market fit and essential growth model, ready to raise the next round.

Demo Days

Demo Days
We look for founders with an international mindset who run companies building disruptive technology solutions for the global market.

Learn more

We look for founders with an international mindset who run companies building disruptive technology solutions for the global market.
We look for founders with an international mindset who run companies building disruptive technology solutions for the global market.
We look for founders with an international mindset who run companies building disruptive technology solutions for the global market.
We look for founders with an international mindset who run companies building disruptive technology solutions for the global market.
We look for founders with an international mindset who run companies building disruptive technology solutions for the global market.
We look for founders with an international mindset who run companies building disruptive technology solutions for the global market.

Learn more

What else?

All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to secure one of the 10 spots in our 2023 special program. Our preference goes to early applications. Here is a quick look to the timeline and program curriculum:

Dates

March 31, 2023 Early Decision Deadline
April 15, 2023 Application Final Deadline
April 30, 2023 All Applicants Will Be Notified
Early May 2023 Program Kick-off
Late July 2023 Demo Day
  • Bi-weekly 1-1 office hours with the LEL team to receive constant support and ensure progress throughout the program.
  • Startups will work closely with the LEL team throughout the program and receive additional manual support to achieve critical milestones and prepare for the Demo Day.
  • Weekly sessions in the format of seminar, webinar, AMA, workshop, fireside chat, and more, for founders to receive hands-on guidance on topics such as legal affairs, marketing, operations, growth, partnership, recruiting, fundraising, and other essential knowledge and resources to accelerate as an early stage company.
Live Streaming
Demo day will also be broadcasted online to reach a larger investor audience.

FAQ

Do you sign NDAs?

No, we do not.

Are there any kinds of fees for participating in the accelerator?

We charge a $25K program fee to each startup in our 2023 cohort program to cover associated operations costs incurred by the program and for long-term support.

What happens after the program?

We always focus on a long-term partnership, and our supports go beyond the program time. From connecting with new investors to finding key hires, from potential biz dev intros to international partnerships, we will always stand by the founder's side and come back with more resources and opportunities in the long run.

Can I apply again if I’ve applied before?

Yes, definitely. Please keep in mind that we will be looking forward to hearing about your company's progress since the previous application.

Are you looking for companies at a particular stage?

We are looking for early-stage companies in Pre-Seed or raising Seed, with passionate founders who have a clear vision for the future.

How much do you invest in each company and what are some of the benefits of the program?​

  • $75,000~$150,000 USD for each startup in the 2023 cohort
  • Legal assistance for company formation and IP protection
  • Incubator space available in New York for each team
  • Weekly speaker series and talks on launching, managing, and growing early-stage startups
  • Office hours with Lair East Labs management team and mentor network
  • Workshops by our partners
  • $350K+ of free hosting credits for major cloud providers, developer tools, product development platforms, and office space.

How do I apply for the 2023 program?

You can apply through our direct application form or our F6S page (see Apply Now).

Are we required to be in NYC throughout the program?

Yes, our 2023 program is hybrid, so we ask that at least ONE of your core team be present physically for the duration of the program. However, it will not be a 24/7 residency. Join our space in New York City with other portfolio companies, receive hands-on support from our team, and get the most out of the startup ecosystem in NYC.

How many companies will there be in the 2023 program?

We will admit and invest in 10 startups per cohort in 2023.

Our team is not based in the United States. Should we still apply?

Yes, you most certainly should!

Although our preference goes to teams already in the USA, we'd be happy to assist you through the visa process if your company is selected.
Samuel Matthews, Sinc
“What stands out most to me is how truly supportive Lair East Labs has been. With them as partners, we have grown into a large and successful company. The fireside chats were particularly insightful. Speaking to truly qualified people who’d done it in the past was a great source of knowledge and inspiration.”
Samuel Matthews, Sinc
Yasser Boumenir, Prinsta
“From setting up impromptu meetings at 11pm and getting us tickets for Berkshire’s Annual meeting to sending one of their own (Thanks, Ruizhi!) on our week-long trip to China, LEL has been a true partner. The founders are well connected in the US and Asia and their program is ideal for startups – work during the day, meet with fellow founders in the evening.”
Yasser Boumenir, Prinsta
Alexander Hejazi, BallBox
“Lair East Labs is truly your business partner, not just an investor. Together, we developed our go-to-market strategy and after the program finished we could still rely on an entire team helping to grow our business and raise additional investment. Very happy we were a part of the Lair East Labs program and we’d do it again if we could!”
Alexander Hejazi, BallBox
Abdi Shayesteh, AltaClaro
“They (Lair East labs) really personalize and create an intimate support framework for the founders. They are internationally focused, meaning that if you’re a startup that wants to scale globally, that’s one of the advantages of partnering with Lair East Labs. Their support is ongoing (and even beyond the accelerator program). Whether it’s from an investor perspective and mentorship perspective or networking with other portfolio companies to grow.”
Abdi Shayesteh, AltaClaro
Apply Now For Our 4-month Accelerator Program.
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