Tiger Labs

Information: Edie Brazil

What is a startup accelerator:

Organizations that seek to help startups attain success, typically focusing on the early stage startups. Venture capital companies and corporations offer a seed investment (they invest capital-money-in exchange for equity) normally ranging from $20,000 to $50,000. They are focused on smaller teams (rather than the individual). After a few months of intensive mentoring, they are given a deadline where they “graduate.” Normally it ends with a Demo Day, where the startups present to the investors. These are very selective and competitive and they typically only accept 1%.

General Info

Tigerlabs was cofounded by Bert Navarrete, cofounder and managing director of Beta Bridge Capital, Venture partner of KohFounders, Co-Director of Startup Grind, etc. It is part business accelerator, part venture capital fund, and part mentoring center for aspiring entrepeneurs. They have a broad range of interests from health and fitness to apps to local businesses like the Bent Spoon and Cool Vines. They have a lot of sponsors and investors including Princeton Tiger Tech, Comcast Business, Morgan Lewis, Fenwick and West, and B2 Capital.

Accelerator and How It Works

The Tigerlabs accelerator is a 6 month program based in Princeton. It invests in the early stages of software companies giving them a seed investment of $25,000 in exchange for 6% of the equity with up to $50,000 in additional matching capital. Tigerlabs has invested in 38 companies, raising over $40,000,000 and have a collective valuation of $120,000,000. They have targeted mentorship from the Tigerlabs team, leading executives, entrepreneurs, and investors and direct access to decision makers at leading corporations, giving the companies the tools and resources they need to succeed. Unlike most accelerators it also provides 6 months of shared office space in their facility in Princeton. However your “membership” to Tigerlabs doesn’t end after the 6 months, the companies continue to have access to their network for its lifetime, helping it build, launch, and grow.

The Community

Tigerlabs prides itself on its community and mentorship.They have an open door policy for entrepreneurs, so all you have to do is show up and pay a fee for a desk, computer and phone and you are indoctrinated into their community. Navarete states that they have “removed all the friction of the back office” in both the physical characteristics and operating philosophy of the company. Everyone is willing to help others and it is a collaborative and supportive environment. There is no secrecy or unhealthy competitiveness. They often have classes or workshops on various business subjects and meet-ups where entrepreneurs can get together for a talk by a local business person, funding, etc.
    The Workplace

Tigerlabs is located on the second floor of 252 Nassau Street. Collectively it has 8,000 square feet where desk space, wifi, phone rooms, conference rooms, and refreshments are offered. They were going for a New York loft look with the high ceiling and exposed brick and, besides the conference and phone rooms, there are no walls or “barriers.” A lot of people claim there to be no rules as well and many photos features a dog.