Capital Factory
American startup accelerator based in Austin, Texas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Capital Factory is an accelerator, co-working space, and venture fund based in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 2009 by entrepreneur Joshua Baer, it is one of the most active early-stage investors in Texas and is particularly noted for its focus on defense technology and its partnerships with the US Department of Defense.[1]
| Founded | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Joshua Baer |
| Type | Startup accelerator |
| Focus | Technology startups; defence technology |
| Location |
|
Area served | United States (global programs) |
| Website | capitalfactory |
History
Capital Factory was founded in 2009 by Joshua Baer, a serial entrepreneur who had previously co-founded Skylist, an email marketing company acquired by Constant Contact in 2005.[2] The accelerator was established to support the growing technology startup community in Austin, Texas, and offered seed funding, mentorship, and office space to early-stage companies.[1]
Over the following decade, Capital Factory expanded significantly. It grew from a small cohort-based program to a year-round accelerator operating across multiple Texas cities, including Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, in addition to its Austin headquarters.[3]
In 2017, Capital Factory launched a dedicated defense technology practice, positioning itself as a bridge between the commercial technology sector and the US military.[4] It has established partnerships with military branches including the US Army, US Air Force, and US Space Force, as well as with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).[4]
Programs and activities
Capital Factory operates a range of programs for early-stage technology companies:
- Accelerator program: A competitive program offering investment, mentorship from over 300 mentors, and access to co-working space and resources.[1]
- Defense program: A specialist track connecting startups with US Department of Defense customers and procurement pathways, including the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.[4]
- Texas Startup Ecosystem: Capital Factory hosts events, hackathons, and conferences including SXSW satellite events, aiming to grow the broader Texas technology community.[3]
- Venture fund: Capital Factory manages a venture capital fund that invests in portfolio companies and other Texas-based startups.[3]
Notable alumni
Companies that have participated in Capital Factory's accelerator include:
- Shipbob – a global fulfilment network
- AlertMedia – an emergency communication platform
- Nomad Health – a healthcare workforce marketplace
- Opcity – a real estate technology company acquired by Move Inc. (operator of Realtor.com) in 2018[5]
