Silicon Valley is home to numerous accelerators and incubators, but perhaps none is as unique as the one located right in the heart of Stanford Research Park: StartX.
Since 2010, StartX has supported over 2,700 founders across 1,300+ companies, including 3 decacorns, 20 unicorns, and more than 144 startups valued at over $100 million. However, what truly sets StartX apart is its business model: StartX operates as a mission-based nonprofit, taking zero equity and zero fees from the companies that go through its program. Yes, you read that right. Zero.
How does a zero-equity nonprofit accelerator manage to lead as one of the top-ranked accelerators in Silicon Valley? Part of its formula stems from the give-back ethos that is at the core of StartX’s mission. In fact, when taking a tour of StartX’s headquarters and speaking to StartX’s staff and founders, the mission of giving back is palpable.
StartX’s Culture Is an Extension of Stanford’s Entrepreneurial Community
StartX was founded in 2010 by Stanford alum Cameron Teitelman. In almost all cases, StartX requires that each founding team has at least one member with ties to Stanford University.
The connection to Stanford goes beyond the founders who are admitted to the program. It seeks to provide a vital connection with Stanford’s various schools, ranging from the Stanford Graduate School of Business to Stanford’s many design and engineering programs. From hosting events on campus, to giving lectures, to pulling in students as volunteers, the StartX team seeks to give back to Stanford by educating students about entrepreneurship, providing event space, and, most importantly, attracting the world’s leading founders into StartX’s community.
As a nonprofit, StartX operates on a distinctly different model from traditional, equity-based accelerators. Their founders join a trusted community where they can ask the tough questions, share challenges openly, and get honest feedback from peers, mentors, and partners. Without the pressure of investor ownership, founders are free to focus on learning, growth, and building lasting businesses. It’s an approach rooted in the same spirit of collaboration and curiosity that defines Stanford’s culture.
StartX is Open to a Variety of Companies and Is Stage Agnostic
StartX supports founders from seed to scale, across industries shaping the future—from medicine and artificial intelligence to energy and fintech. Many companies join after securing early funding, seeking the trusted community and expert guidance that help them grow faster. Every applicant goes through a rigorous screening process focused not just on the company, but on the founder’s vision and long-term commitment. StartX intentionally cultivates founders who want to stay connected well beyond the program—returning as mentors, lecturers, and partners to support the next generation of Stanford entrepreneurs.
StartX’s Location in Stanford Research Park Is Vital to its Success
When speaking with StartX staff members and founders, one aspect of their success is abundantly clear: its location. Situated near Page Mill Road, StartX has strategically placed their entrepreneurs in the Stanford Research Park, keeping its founders close to Stanford campus and to crucial founder partnerships, including investors on nearby Sand Hill Road and leading banks and law firms in the Research Park. Founders also have abundant networking opportunities with some of the world’s most successful companies located within Stanford Research Park. StartX and their entrepreneurs benefit from a world-class address with a rich history of successful companies that came before them and a vibrant, dynamic ecosystem that nurtures and grows new ideas.
In 2027, StartX will move to serve as the anchor tenant of The Link, a 10,000-square-foot hub designed to bring the StartX Community together — with space for events, founder-led programming, flexible meeting rooms, and a Coupa Café. “To be chosen by the Stanford Research Park to lead this transformative initiative is an immense honor,” said Shannon McClenaghan, CEO of StartX. “The Link will offer our founders an exceptional advantage — a permanent home within the heart of Stanford’s innovation ecosystem. This partnership expands our ability to support world-class entrepreneurs with both the infrastructure and community they need to thrive.”