Join the next cohort of innovative startups building connectivity solutions to get individual mentorship, training, and access to a global network of industry experts and Facebook.
Facebook and MassChallenge are launching Facebook Accelerator: Connectivity for startups in the Americas that are focused on improving connectivity through technologies, solutions, and new models that address the availability and affordability of internet access. Selected startups will have the opportunity to partner with Facebook Connectivity to help scale their impact.
The 12-week program will be virtual, and will run sprints based on agile methodology. Up to 30 startups will be selected to participate and will be provided with access to resources, industry experts, mentors, and potential investors.
What are we looking for?
High-impact startups, working to improve internet connectivity, that could benefit from working with Facebook to scale their businesses.
We aim to support and partner with startups with creative solutions to longstanding connectivity barriers:
- Availability: A significant percentage of the world lack the infrastructure available to access the internet, and get online.
- Affordability: Even with internet coverage, a large part of the population are unable to afford data and/or devices.
Facebook Connectivity is bringing connectivity technologies, solutions, & programs to the ecosystem to make data more affordable. Watch the video below to learn more about the team’s mission.
Why Facebook?
It's our priority to keep building our business by supporting the millions of businesses that rely on our services to grow. By supporting impactful startups, we drive more impact toward our own mission of building communities and bringing the world closer together, deepen our understanding of the local challenges startups are working tirelessly to solve, and grow our network of future partners.
We believe that by connecting, training, and growing entrepreneurs and startups through our programs, Facebook can empower people to solve relevant, meaningful problems and build products that billions of people can use and benefit from.
Our greatest strength is our people. We can offer you unrivaled access to Facebook’s technical and business experts.
Startups must:
- Be headquartered in North, Central, or South America or serve businesses in any country of the region
- Be focused on improving connectivity through solutions that address the availability and/or affordability of internet access
- Have proven traction with relevant metrics to their core business and a product already in the market
- Have an in-house technical team
- Have availability of founders or C-level executives to attend all activities of the program
- Seek to partner with Facebook Connectivity or integrate Facebook products to scale their business
- Have employees that are all at least 18 years of age
See the program Terms and Conditions for additional eligibility requirements.
Startup Evaluation and Selection
Startups will be evaluated by a panel of industry and Facebook experts in two rounds based on their application and interviews
The evaluation criteria includes:
- Extent to which their solution addresses a relevant problem in the connectivity sector
- Strength and innovation of the solution
- Market opportunity
- Team experience
- Track record
- How the startup plans to leverage the program
- Comply with regulatory requirements that exist for your business or in your industry
Program benefits available to all selected startups
1:1 Mentoring
Access to 1:1 mentoring with Facebook experts who can support and guide you
Office hours
Access to ad-hoc office hours with experts based on product, business needs
Workshops
Discover Facebook best practices in growth, product development and team culture, as well as subject areas specific to connectivity
Training
Understand Facebook tools and technology and receive technical support
Networking
Access to a network of experts in connectivity and investment as well as a worldwide community of entrepreneurs
Pitch day
Pitch and Network with potential investors and industry stakeholders
Key Dates
Applications
August 03 - September 11, 2020 at 11:59:59 pm PST
Interviews
September 21 - October 02
Program part I
November 09 - December 19
Program part II
January 11 2021 - February 19 2021
*Schedule is subject to changes
About
Bringing more people online to a faster internet. Together with hundreds of partners around the world, Facebook is exploring new ways to bring fast, reliable internet to those without it.
MassChallenge strengthens the global innovation ecosystem by accelerating high-potential startups across all industries, from anywhere in the world for zero-equity.
Do you need help filling out our application? Here you will find a guide to achieve it easily.
CONTACT US
You have questions.
We have answers.
Alejandro Esteban
alejandro@masschallenge.org
By participating, you agree for yourself and your startup to the Facebook Accelerator Program Terms (“Terms”), including eligibility and submission requirements set forth in the Terms and on this website. Open only to those who are at least the age of majority and acting on behalf of an eligible startup. By applying, you agree that you are authorized to act on behalf of your startup. THE TERMS INCLUDE A LIMITATION OF RIGHTS AND REMEDIES, WAIVER OF CLASS-ACTION CLAIMS, CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS, CONSENT TO A BACKGROUND CHECK, AND A LICENSE FOR PROGRAM ENTITIES TO USE YOUR CONTENT. READ THEM CAREFULLY AND DO NOT PARTICIPATE OR DISCONTINUE PARTICIPATION IF YOU DISAGREE WITH ANY ASPECT OF THE TERMS. Program benefit recipients will be evaluated based on the criteria stated on this website. Use of Program benefits may be subject to agreement to additional terms. Sponsor: Facebook Inc, 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Program Administrator/Other Program Entities: MassChallenge México, Londres 40, Colonia Juárez, Mexico City 06600