The CivStart Accelerator
From startup to scale with CivStart
in partnership with the National League of Cities.
A unique, 12-month accelerator program that connects startups with the tools, expertise, and opportunities they need to scale their solutions effectively within the complex state and local market.
Highlights of the 2025 Program
No Fees for Pre-Seed Startups: We're dropping participation fees this year to ensure all the best entrepreneurs can receive support from our program, regardless of ability to pay. In addition, up to $7,500 in Govtech Readiness Grants will be awarded to all participating pre-seed startups.
Government Engagement: Engage directly with governments through GovTalks, focus groups, conference attendance, and more throughout the program. Our public-sector Govtech Champions actively monitor your progress, providing feedback and support as you refine your solutions.
Access to CivStart’s Venture Partner Network: Tap into our extensive Venture Partner Network for additional investment opportunities, strategic partnerships, and expert guidance to accelerate your growth and market penetration.
​
State of GovTech Pitchfest: Conclude the program by pitching your solutions to public and private-sector attendees at the State of GovTech event, where you'll compete for pilot opportunities to implement your technology in real-world settings.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
STATE & LOCAL GOV MARKET INTELLIGENCE
CivStart has a holistic understanding of the state & local ecosystem, including who the key stakeholders are, what budgetary priorities they have, upcoming opportunities for change, and more. Research and resources help our startups develop effective customer acquisition strategies. We help our startups identify and make connections to the key targets who can benefit from your solution.
STRATEGIC NETWORK ACCESS
Through our and strategic partners’ events, we give cohort members a platform to showcase market-ready solutions to a curated network of govtech investors, experienced entrepreneurs, and state & local decision makers, as well as press and trade influencers. Through our partnerships with like-minded organizations, trade groups, and our annual State of GovTech, we make sure our startups get in front of the right people.
TAILORED MENTORSHIPS
CivStart cohort members have access to our Advisory Board of seasoned professionals, who commit time and resources and can provide unparalleled insight and advice into growing businesses in this space. Startups have access to members through mentorships, virtual learning opportunities, office hours and more.
HANDS-ON CONSULTING
Through our programming and development opportunities, the CivStart team helps startups clearly understand state & local government challenges and market opportunities unique to each startup. We help you navigate the complex processes that lead to successful contracts.
MEDIA AND COMMS SUPPORT
We help startups develop and market case studies, while providing guidance to startups to create, implement, and manage effective strategies for communications — providing them with a comprehensive understanding of PR and marketing best practices within the state & local ecosystem.
GOVTECH CURRICULUM
A mix of on-demand and live curriculum designed and hosted by state and local government leaders, industry experts, and investors helps our startups learn and grow inside the state and local government marketplace.
GOVTECH COMMUNITY-BUILDING
Meet and network with fellow govtech startups and founders. Share resources, tips, leads, and collaborate on joint projects and RFPs.
PARTNER BENEFITS
Gain access to tens of thousands of dollars worth of premium resources, including legal advice, tech support, business development tools, and other expertise, products, and platform benefits from CivStart's corporate partners.
WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU
PARTICIPATION
CivStart is able to provide superior market intelligence, guidance, critical connections, and resources because we are well-trusted by our startups, partners, and state and local government leaders. Startups are expected to actively participate in monthly strategy meetings, curriculum, and CivStart’s annual Demo Day and Innovation Summit in the Spring.
A STARTUP COMMUNITY
CivStart does not just facilitate connections between startups and state and local governments, but builds community among our startup cohorts. These online and in-person connections have proven to provide additional value to many of our startups, and applicants should expect to be an active participant in providing and receiving feedback and opportunities with other startup cohort members.
PROGRAM COSTS
Pre-Seed startups provide 3% post-money SAFE equity to CivStart. For later-stage startups, CivStart asks for an annual fee of up to $15,000 and up to 0.5% equity.
ADAPTATION & INNOVATION
Many of our startups have years of successful experience with private sector markets. Many of our startups have a public-sector-focused market strategy. In all cases, we expect our cohort members to be open to making changes in product, pricing, or marketing strategy based on feedback provided by CivStart employees and our network of expert advisors.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN A STARTUP
IMPACT & INCLUSION
CivStart aims to be a part of building more inclusive communities. This means that we prioritize cohort members who are passionate about providing solutions for state and local governments to better serve their communities. In addition, CivStart prioritizes cohort-members whose teams and founders come from diverse and inclusive backgrounds - in race, gender, geography, sexual orientation, and more.
PROVEN SOLUTIONS
CivStart is a stage-agnostic accelerator, but we are not working to accelerate startups who are still in the product-development and ideation stage. While we carefully consider each application, the state and local government market is particularly sensitive to the risk of companies beginning a service only to see it cut off or unable to continue. For this reason, we seek startups that have proven solutions and teams in place.
DEDICATED TEAMS
Providing solutions for state and local governments needs to be considered a longer-term and higher-stakes commitment for the end-users (i.e. government workers or residents) than providing solutions for the private sector. CivStart’s cohorts are made of founders and teams that are passionate about the solutions they provide and dedicated to improving governments and the communities they serve.
TIMELINE
Applications for CivStart's Cohort open in the Spring of each year. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis for several months.
CivStart's Review Committee determines which startups make it to the interview round. CivStart's leadership team conducts interviews in June before making final decisions on Accelerator cohort members in August.
CivStart announces our cohorts by September 1 each year.
PROGRAM LOGISTICS
Along with standard curriculum and benefits, the CivStart team works one-on-one (both virtually and in-person) with cohort members to develop custom 12-month work plans, establish mentorships, facilitate key meetings, and create educational curriculum that meets each organization’s unique needs. Through regular check-ins, cohort members will establish a cadence and identify key milestones and benchmarks to make the most out of their time in the accelerator.
If this is what you’re looking for, we’re excited to learn more about your work! To keep this process fair, please do not contact us directly. Fill out the application and we will be in touch.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN I SPEAK TO SOMEONE ABOUT THE PROGRAM?
In order to remain impartial, we cannot review decks, or discuss applicant products outside of the official application process. If you have a technical or logistical question about the program, please reach out at info@civstart.org
WHERE IS THE PROGRAM LOCATED?
The program is primarily online. Occasional events will require travel to different areas of the US. The mandatory pitchfest at CivStart's State of GovTech will be held in the Washington, DC metro area.
WHEN DOES THE PROGRAM START?
The program starts on September 1.
WHEN DOES THE PROGRAM FINISH?
The program finishes after 12 months, on August 31, after which, startups will become part of our alumni program.
WHEN ARE ACCEPTED APPLICANTS NOTIFIED?
Applicants will be notified before the September 1 program start date.
HOW ARE APPLICATIONS EVALUATED?
Applications are evaluated by CivStart's selections committee on the above guidelines with guidance and input from our network of public and private-sector partners.
HOW MUCH DOES CIVSTART COST?
For Pre-Seed companies, participation is fee-free with a 3% post-money SAFE note provided. For later-stage companies, participation in the CivStart accelerator involves a participation fee of up to $15,000 and up to 0.5% equity.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION?
You will receive a confirmation that your application was received. We will review your application carefully and notify you of any updates in your application status or if we require any additional information from you.
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, DO I HAVE TO PITCH ON DEMO DAY?
Yes. In-person participation in the pitchfest at CivStart’s State of GovTech is the only mandatory in-person event for our cohort members.
WHAT STAGE DOES A STARTUP NEED TO BE AT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?
CivStart’s Startup Accelerator program is stage agnostic, but we are not working to accelerate startups who are still in the product-development and ideation stage. While we carefully consider each application, the state and local government market is particularly sensitive to the risk of companies beginning a service only to see it cut off or unable to continue. For this reason, we do seek startups that have proven solutions and teams in place.
WHERE AND WHEN IS THE DEMO DAY?
CivStart’s annual Demo Day and Innovation Summit is held once per year and moves around the US.
HELP! I NEED HELP WITH MY APPLICATION. WHO DO I CONTACT?
Please reach out to us at info@civstart.org. Please be aware that we receive many applications and will respond as soon as we are able. The sooner you are able to submit your questions the more likely we will be able to provide a prompt response. Questions submitted close to the application deadline may or may not be answered in time for submission.
HOW MANY STARTUPS ARE ADMITTED TO THE PROGRAM?
There is not a set amount of startups we accept in any given cohort. For reference, CivStart’s 2020 Cohort was 12 startups. Our 2021 Cohort was 13 startups. The 2022 Cohort admitted 10 startups. The 2023 cohort was 9 startups. The 2024 brought in 15 startups. The 2025 cohort will depend on the quality of applications we receive, the particular challenges state and local governments are facing, and other factors. Because of this, we encourage those who do not get accepted in any particular cohort to consider applying again in the future. Our decision may have had less to do with your solution, and more to do with the current context for state and local governments.
IS THERE AN INFO SESSION FOR PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS?
Yes. All applicants and those subscribed to updates will receive email notification when this session is scheduled.
CAN I APPLY AGAIN?
Yes, if you think you meet our criteria, we encourage you to apply again, even if you were rejected in previous applications. See "How many startups are admitted to the program?" above.
QUESTION NOT ANSWERED HERE?
Contact us! Please reach out at info@civstart.org