About this programme
DivInc is a nonprofit founded in 2016 and based in Austin, Texas, built to generate social and economic equity through entrepreneurship; its stated vision is a world where social and economic disparities no longer exist. Since founding, DivInc says it has supported over 120 founders working on problems in climate change, the justice system, financial access, and more.
DivInc reports its portfolio companies have secured over $15 million in funding and created more than 200 jobs, with 62% of participants being female founders and $300,000 in equity-free grants issued to cohort companies across the organization's history. DivInc is led by CEO Tauri Laws-Phillips, who joined in March 2026, alongside a leadership team and board that includes founder and strategic advisor Preston L. James.
Its current program lineup centers on the Women in Tech Accelerator and the NextGen Startup Internship Program, which places student talent with early-stage, mission-driven startups (150+ students and 30+ startups supported to date, expanding to 75+ student placements in 2026). Earlier cohort programs including Innovation & Influence, DWEB, Social Impact Tech, Sports Tech, and Clean Energy Tech are now listed by DivInc as past accelerators rather than active ones.
DivInc operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded through foundation and donor support; it reported securing over $650,000 in grant funding for its 2026 programming cycle, which it called the most significant single-year grant total in its history.
How it works
DivInc's flagship accelerator model runs cohort founders through an intensive, structured program (12 weeks generally, 10 weeks for Women in Tech) designed to compress roughly a year of progress into that window, through weekly strategic workshops, one-on-one pitch coaching, warm introductions to investors and corporate partners, legal consulting from partner law firms, and startup-tool credits (HubSpot, Microsoft, AWS, Airtable, Notion, and others). DivInc values the full benefits package at over $100,000.
The Women in Tech Accelerator specifically is free to participate in and takes 0% equity. It runs as a hybrid program: two mandatory in-person weeks in Austin (including kickoff and Demo Day) with the remaining weeks held virtually. The most recent cohort ran from September 21 to November 6, 2026, with applications closing September 4, 2026.
Graduates get 18 months of structured post-accelerator support through the DivInc Alumni program, plus lifetime membership in the DivInc portfolio community.
Where a specific cohort offers a completion grant, founders must attend every program-related activity to receive it; leaving the program early for any reason forfeits the grant entirely. DivInc's own FAQ frames this as conditional on the specific program rather than guaranteed for every cohort.
Who can apply
The company must be U.S.-based and a for-profit enterprise; DivInc's funding sources are restricted to for-profit tech startups, so non-profits, agencies, and consultancies are not eligible.
The company needs a scalable tech solution already built and ready for growth, or a minimum viable product ready for immediate use (including a working prototype for hardware companies).
The participating founder must be a person of color or a woman entrepreneur. For the Women in Tech Accelerator specifically, the company must be women-led: the CEO must identify as a woman or non-binary, and/or at least 51% of the company must be owned by women; co-founders who are not women are welcome under that structure.
The CEO must personally participate, and the team must commit 25 to 30 hours a week of focused work throughout the program.
DivInc looks for founders with a growth mindset who are coachable, have a big vision, and want to collaborate.
How to apply
- Review the criteria and program details on DivInc's site, then submit the online application for the relevant program (for example, the Women in Tech Accelerator) before its stated deadline.
- The application asks for details on the business model, target market, current traction, and team structure.
- Questions can go to programs@divinc.org, or through DivInc's general contact page.
Frequently asked
Does DivInc take equity in exchange for its program?
No. DivInc's accelerator programs, including the Women in Tech Accelerator, are free to participate in and take 0% equity. Separately, DivInc reports having issued $300,000 in equity-free grants to cohort companies across its history; this is a cumulative historical figure, not a guaranteed amount for every cohort.
Who is the Women in Tech Accelerator for?
Early-stage, U.S.-based, for-profit, women-led startups building technology, software, hardware, or tech-enabled consumer products, in any industry.
How long does the program run, and where does it take place?
The Women in Tech Accelerator runs 10 weeks in a hybrid format, with two mandatory in-person weeks in Austin, Texas (including kickoff and Demo Day) and the rest held virtually.
Is Innovation & Influence still running?
No. DivInc's current program pages list Innovation & Influence, DWEB, Social Impact Tech, Sports Tech, and Clean Energy Tech as past accelerators, not active programs; the current lineup centers on the Women in Tech Accelerator and the NextGen Startup Internship Program.
What do participants get besides mentorship?
DivInc values its combined benefits (workshops, coaching, legal consulting, investor introductions, and startup-tool credits) at over $100,000, plus 18 months of post-program alumni support and lifetime portfolio membership.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.