Gold Rush Spring 2021 Accelerator Applications Open!

Gold Rush is the nation’s leading AAPI accelerator and network for Asian founders. In 2020 alone, we amplified 70+ Asian founders and 40+ early-stage businesses. Our mentorship-driven model, which encompasses networking, educational programming, events, and media coverage, propels significant brand and commercial growth for Asian founders and their brands. Collectively, our 2020 Spring and Fall cohorts raised an additional $20 million in funding within months of completing the program.

Why this matters

According to the Harvard Business Review, Asians are the least likely demographic to be promoted to management. In industries like technology and finance, Asians account for less than half of executive ranks compared to employee representation. Our philosophy has always been to build tables, rather than wait for a seat.

How Gold Rush helps

Each Spring and Fall, we host a 12-week accelerator program that partners with and scales Asian-led businesses in the U.S. During those three months, founders are privy to 1:1 mentorship from a slate of industry leaders and investors; masterclasses, workshops, and panels focused on branding, fundraising, product-market-fit, and more; professional PR and marketing support; and most importantly, intimate opportunities to engage and network with other emerging founders across the Asian diaspora.

What founders can expect

Gold Rush founders join a powerful network of diverse industry icons, investors, creative voices, and entrepreneurs. As a venture of Gold House, we believe in the power of community where founders seek to learn from and elevate each other, while also benefiting from intimate mentorship from a carefully selected group of advisors.

Each week, founders participate in masterclasses on a range of growth and business-building topics. Additionally, each founder is individually matched with an advisor experienced in their industry or vertical. Past advisors have included pioneering consumer and tech-focused founders such as Vanessa Dew (Health-Ade Kombucha), Patrick Lee (Rotten Tomatoes), Vicky Tsai (Tatcha), Eric Feng (Hulu, Flipboard), and Kevin Lin (Twitch); business gurus such as Kenny Nguyen (ThreeSixtyEight, Forbes U30 Summit), Susie Nam (Droga5), and Bonnie Chan Woo (WOMANBOSS); and investors such as Gautam Gupta (M13 Ventures), Ben Lee (CircleUp), and Keval Desai (InterWest Partners).

The Gold Rush accelerator culminates in a Showcase that features each company to an audience of top Asian venture capitalists, angel investors, industry experts, and cultural leaders. When the program concludes, alumni are welcomed as part of the broader Gold House community and join Gold House’s Founder Network to build sustained relationships with a cross-industry network of Asian entrepreneurs.

Who we are looking for

• Early-stage companies based in the U.S.
• Companies with at least one principal Founder or CEO of Asian descent
• Companies with $200K+ in annual revenue or $500K+ in total operational financing

How to apply

Apply to join our Spring 2021 cohort here by February 19th at 11:59 pm PT.

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FAQ

How long will the program be?

12 weeks — March 23rd, 2021 to June 15th, 2021.

How many founders are accepted to each cohort?

We accept 10–15 companies per cohort, and all principal founders or CEOs of Asian descent may participate.

Where can I apply?

Apply at www.goldhouse.org/goldrush/apply

Where is the accelerator based? Do I need to be in a certain city?

All programming is held virtually and available to founders based in the U.S.

When is the application deadline?

Applications are due February 19th at 11:59 pm PT.

When will I know if I’m admitted into the program?

Selected Founders will be notified the week of March 15th.

Do I receive funding if I’m admitted? Is there a cost to the program?

Gold Rush is equity and fee-free. While founders will not receive direct funding from the program, they will be introduced to investors through a variety of individual, group, and community-wide events, including the Gold Rush Founder Showcase.

What does the programming look like?

Participating founders are privy to weekly 60–90 minute masterclasses hosted by Advisors and/or community-building events with other founders. Towards the end of the program, founders participate in the Gold Rush Showcase, an opportunity to present their brands to Gold House’s network of investors, celebrities, and influencers.

What is the expected time commitment?

Approximately 2–3 hours per week. In order to graduate and be eligible for Gold Rush Alumni benefits, you are expected to attend the majority of weekly sessions and networking events. We request your full engagement, both during synchronous programming and offline engagements with your advisor and other founders in your cohort. We are a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization, so your active participation helps maintain our thriving community.