The Walt Disney Company, a US-based media company, and TechStars, a business accelerator company, have combined to create the Disney Accelerator. The business accelerator will be based in Los Angeles and open to technology start-ups in the media and entertainment space. According to TechStars’ blog, “Disney has an incredible legacy of creativity and innovation that dates directly to the entrepreneurial spirit of Walt Disney himself.”
Companies selected to participate in Disney Accelerator will receive $120,000 in investment capital, along with mentor support from Disney executives, including chairman and chief executive officer Robert Iger. Participants will have access to stories, characters, technology and other resources from across The Walt Disney Company. Applications for the first class need to be in by April 16, and the programme begins June 30, concluding with a demo day in September.
Cody Simms, most recently was chief product officer at StumbleUpon, will be managing director of the Disney Accelerator.