Parallel18 opens applications for 12th cohort, offers $40,000 equity-free grant, $20,000 investment

Since 2015, Parallel18, the accelerator program from the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT), has provided $40,000 equity-free grants to hundreds of startups who scale internationally from the island.

This week, Parallel18 is announcing it has opened applications for its 12th P18 accelerator cohort. In its Gen. 12 edition, up to 25 innovative companies will be accepted. The selected startups will receive 20 weeks of education, business mentoring, and total financial support of $60,000 — split into a $40,000 equity-free grant and $20,000 investment through a Simple Agreement for Future Participation (SAFE).

Additionally, during the 20 weeks of the program, participants will receive mentoring and weekly goal monitoring, as well as access to a broad network of mentors, investors, corporate clients, business partners and contacts who work closely with the program to address all key aspects of a company’s needs.

Interested companies will have until April 30th at midnight to complete the online application.

“We continue to promote innovation and global collaboration in Puerto Rico. This call, once again, demonstrates the Trust’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and startups worldwide so that they can globally scale their products and strengthen the island’s economy,” said Eng. Lucy Crespo, CEO of the PRSTRT. “Parallel18’s impact metrics speak for themselves, 92% of the companies that have gone through the program continue to operate and that is a great achievement.”

According to a company release, to date, 275 companies have participated in P18, 53 of these are Puerto Rican. The program has also received companies from Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Singapore, the United States, among other countries.

P18, as an international acceleration program, requires that participating companies demonstrate innovation, operate for three years or less, and have either generated sales or launched a validated product in the market. Additionally, they must exhibit traction and growth potential, and possess scalability to adapt to diverse markets.

The program also stipulates that at least two founders must commit full time to the company during the curriculum and that the founders be physically present on the island. Finally, entrepreneurs must present a plan of how they will take advantage of and incorporate Puerto Rico’s entrepreneurship system to scale their business.

“This call once again reaffirms the commitment of Parallel18 and the Trust, through its entrepreneurship pillar, to continue supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem. P18 is a unique opportunity for innovative companies that can develop in Puerto Rico,” said Dr. Héctor Jirau, Executive Director of Parallel18.

He added, “The selected companies will receive ongoing support with mentoring and a financial grant that will allow companies to continue growing and scaling. The mentoring provided and the companies’ access to the network of corporate partners and investors is unmatched as it helps drive the growth and success of the solutions significantly.”

Interested companies from around the globe must complete the online application before April 30 at midnight (AST/UTC-4).

P18 will select up to 25 companies through a competitive process that includes an initial filter by the Parallel18 team; an evaluation committee with external judges; and a selection committee made up of investors, entrepreneurs and other members of the Parallel18 community.

The chosen companies will be announced at the end of May and the program is scheduled to begin the first week of July.

As part of the P18 application process initiatives, a virtual information session will be held on Friday, April 12 at 12:30pm (AST/UTC-4) to clarify any questions. Those interested in participating can register here.

Since launching in December 2015, the international accelerator program has received more than 4,500 applications from more than 60 countries. Once they enter the program, companies benefit from perks made possible by service providers committed to supporting the startups by offering their services at discounted rates.

Likewise, startups have access to Parallel18’s TalentApp, a platform with professional resources where they can recruit local talent available to work as a freelancer, full-time, part-time or through internships.

The cohort will also benefit from Parallel18 Connect, a corporate innovation program that promotes and links startups with large and high-profile corporations to promote business relationships and collaboration between both parties, as well as Parallel18 Ventures, a subprogram that focuses on helping startups to create a solid investment strategy while connecting them with a curated network of investors.

Disclosure: This article mentions a client of an Espacio portfolio company.