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Accelerator

500 Global

500 Global (formerly 500 Startups) is a Silicon Valley-based venture firm and accelerator that has funded 2,500+ companies across 75+ countries since 2010. The flagship program is a 4-month in-person accelerator in Silicon Valley focused on growth, design, distribution, and go-to-market strategy. 500 Global is known for its global reach and diversity, having backed companies like Canva, Grab, and Talkdesk.

Applications Open Deadline: Rolling applications Last verified: September 10, 2026
Investment
$150,000
Equity
6%
Stage
Pre-seed, Seed
Location
Silicon Valley, CA
Program Duration
4 months
Cohort Size
25-40 companies per cohort
Remote or Onsite
Onsite (4-month in-person program)
Application Fee
Free

Ready to apply to 500 Global?

Visit the official application page to get started.

Apply Now

About the Program

500 Global (formerly 500 Startups) is a Silicon Valley-based venture firm and accelerator that has funded 2,500+ companies across 75+ countries since 2010. The flagship program is a 4-month in-person accelerator in Silicon Valley focused on growth, design, distribution, and go-to-market strategy. 500 Global is known for its global reach and diversity, having backed companies like Canva, Grab, and Talkdesk.

Funding Structure

$150,000 for 6% equity. Standard terms with potential for follow-on investment from 500 Global funds.

Initial Investment
$150,000
Equity
6%
Additional Funding
Follow-on investments available for top-performing portfolio companies
Follow-on Funding
500 Global invests in follow-on rounds of top-performing companies

Who Can Apply?

  • Founders from any country
  • Startups at pre-seed or seed stage
  • No sector restriction (industry-agnostic)
  • Must be able to participate in person in Silicon Valley
  • Small cohort size for focused attention

What They Look For

  • Team strength and complementary skills
  • Product vision and market opportunity
  • Growth potential and scalability
  • Diverse founding teams (500 Global actively invests in diversity)
  • Ability to execute and iterate quickly

What You Need to Apply

  • Completed online application
  • Pitch deck
  • Information about team, product, traction, and market

How to Apply

  1. 1Go to 500.co/programs
  2. 2Select the flagship accelerator program
  3. 3Complete the application form
  4. 4Upload your pitch deck
  5. 5Submit before the deadline
  6. 6If selected, interview with the investment team

Application Process

  1. 11. Submit online application with pitch deck
  2. 22. Investment team screens applications
  3. 33. Selected teams invited to interview
  4. 44. Final selection based on team, product, market, and fit
  5. 55. If accepted, sign investment agreements
  6. 66. Join the 4-month program in Silicon Valley

Important Dates

Rolling applications. Visit 500.co for current cohort deadlines.

Program Benefits

$150,000 investment
4-month growth-focused curriculum
Mentorship from 500 Global partners and EIRs
Access to global investor network
Growth hacking and design best practices training
Go-to-market strategy workshops
$9.3M+ in partner perks and credits
Demo Day with 200+ investors

Selection Process

Online application, screening by investment team, interviews with 500 Global partners.

Industries and Focus Areas

Industry-agnosticSaaSFintechConsumerMarketplaceAIE-commerce

Geographies and Countries

USAGlobal

How to Approach This Investor

Recommended pitch type: Online application (no cold email needed)

SubjectN/A - Apply through the 500 Global online application
Opening500 Global uses an online application system. Apply directly through their website.
ProblemDescribe the problem and your target customer clearly.
TractionShow any growth metrics, user counts, or revenue.
MarketExplain the market size and your path to capturing it.
Why This InvestorHighlight why 500 Global fits your global or growth ambitions.
AskStandardized terms: $150K for 6% equity.
Call to ActionApply at 500.co/programs.

Is This Program Right for You?

Best For
Founders seeking a growth-focused program with global reach and a diverse portfolio network.
Strong Fit If
You have an MVP and early users and want to scale through Silicon Valley connections
Less Suitable If
You cannot relocate to Silicon Valley for 4 months

Notable Portfolio Companies

TwilioCredit KarmaSendGridCanvaGrabTalkdeskWildfire Interactive

Mentors and Investor Access

Mentors
500 Global partners, EIRs, alumni founders, and industry experts
Investor Access
Demo Day plus introductions to 500 Global investor network globally

Previous Cohorts

2,500+ companies funded across 75+ countries since 2010

How to Contact

Apply online at 500.co/programs. No email application required.

Verified against official 500 Global website Last verified: September 10, 2026