FAQs

1. $110K cash investment – Each portfolio company receives the full investment amount prior to the beginning of the program.
2. An intensive 9-week program – Mentorship-driven bootcamp with over 150+ back to back sessions, lectures, and office hours with our network of investors and professionals; Learn and network on high-speed, engage with investors (VCs, Angels) and corporate partners; Work on storytelling & “Americanizing” your value proposition; Establish Market Entry strategy & KPI’s focused on traction and costumer acquisition; Pitch your company in front of angel investors and early-stage VCs in LA & Silicon Valley.
3. Support system of US-based industry experts, investors, executives and FUSION alumni – Our network provides a “soft landing” platform for Israeli founders’ business and personal needs. The program is just the beginning of a journey: As strategic partners and stakeholders, we continue to work with our alumni to set up their US office, and provide access to capital and potential corporate partners.
4. Office space, perks & benefits – Business address for US operation in California | Credits & Perks from vendors like Google Cloud & AWS | Office Hours with leading experts (storytelling, legal, finance, immigration, sales, marketing and fundraising).

We are looking for Israeli-based, early stage (pre-seed and seed) start-ups, with at least 2 co-founders. One of the founders must have requisite technical capabilities. We are industry agnostic and are open to meeting start-ups from all industries, looking to grow their company into the US market.

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PLEASE NOTE: We look for Israeli founders that desire to set up their business operations in the US.

Founders can APPLY for a $110,000 investment as part of the Fusion Accelerator program and get a decision in 3 weeks.

(*) Initial feedback within 72 hours.

(*) Final decision within 3 weeks.

(*) Entirely virtual & remote interview process.

(*) Transparent – All founders receive feedback and know their status through every step.

Founders can APPLY for a $110,000 investment as part of the Fusion Accelerator program and get a decision in 3 weeks.

(*) Initial feedback within 72 hours.

(*) Final decision within 3 weeks.

(*) Entirely virtual & remote interview process.

(*) Transparent – All founders receive feedback and know their status through every step.

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Key steps in the process:

1. Applicants are required to fill-out our online application form here: http://fusionlabs.la/apply/ [Feedback within 72 hours]
2. 10-min initial screening call. [Within 7 days]
3. “Deep-Dive” interviews with managing partners [Within 14 days]
4. Review DD materials (legal, references),  “Founder’s questionnaire” & call with co-founder/s.
5. Final Decision – Sending a Term Sheet. [3 weeks from first meeting]
6. Founders participate in our intensive go-to-market and mentorship-driven program. The 9-week program takes place in Israel & California twice a year – Upcoming batch will be held during Oct-Nov 2021.

Yes, but we’ll only accept a single founder under exceptional circumstances.

Yes, as long as one of the founders has technical capabilities.

No. We don’t ask for business plans and/or budget. We make our decisions based on the application form and/or personal meetings with you.

Preferably yes, as it helps us get a sense of how you pitch, think and value your start-up.

We keep your info confidential—only our advisors and drafting committee will have access to it. Nevertheless, we do not sign an NDA agreement (almost no VC or accelerator would do so with an early-stage start-up).

Nearly all Israeli founders focus their ambitions on the US market from day-one. And for good reason – the overwhelming majority of Israeli exits are in cooperation with American entities:

● 80% of acquisitions of Israeli tech companies are by US corporations.

● More than 30 Israeli unicorns were listed on NASDAQ/NYSE over the last two years.

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FUSION's mission is to empower the innovative Israeli tech sector with the contacts and know-how it needs to scale in the United States. Our vision to be the bridge between early-stage Israeli startups and the US market by becoming the leading pre-seed platform in the Israeli ecosystem.

Sorry, no – you must be present in Los Angeles & Silicon Valley during the program. We believe that to scale quickly and most effectively, founders need to “engage” with their market as soon as possible. It is the fastest and most efficient way to gain valuable feedback, and create relationships with potential customers, partners and investors.

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PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19 global situation - For batch #7 & batch #8 participants we produced an hybrid (in-person & remote) bootcamps in TLV and a remote curriculum with our US network. We keep close eye on the situation, and reserve the right to adjust programming accordingly to keep everyone safe & healthy.

During our program in the US, a tourist visa should be enough.

While we don’t get directly involved with visas, we do:

1. Connect you with start-up founders in the US who will be happy to give you advice.
2. Introduce you to good immigration lawyers to set up your US operation.

Israeli citizens require a visa to enter the US – we recommend scheduling an appointment with the US Embassy to get B1/B2 visa, if you don’t have one already. EU passport holders should be eligible for the ESTA Visa Waiver program.

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PLEASE NOTE: The purpose of your trip is to attend business-related meetings and activities that advance your company, such as meetings with prospective investors and clients.

We encourage all of our portfolio companies to set up a Delaware C-Corp as soon as possible. If you intend to grow your business in the US, you will eventually do it. Many investors in the US (including VCs & Angels) will never invest in Israeli LTDs because of tax & legal issues. It's not pre-condition to set up a US company to participate in Fusion.

The Fusion offices are based in the heart of Silicon Beach. During the program, we offer each company a membership and a desk at Spaces Santa Monica. Portfolio companies use Fusion’s office as a business address for their US operations. Our space is conveniently located walking distance from. restaurants & cafés, Santa Monica Pier, Venice boardwalk, and hundreds of start-ups and tech giants, like Google and Snapchat.

Address: 730 Arizona Ave, Suite 206, Santa Monica, CA 90401 | Spaces

Fusion LA offers a subsidized living option during the program. Our beautiful house in Santa Monica is located minutes away from our office space.

PLEASE NOTE: Accommodation isn’t free, but it is substantially cheaper than Airbnb or hotels in the area.

We invest $125k in exchange for 8%. We charge a $15K fee for participation in the Fusion accelerator program.

We invest in all companies that take part in Fusion program. Each portfolio company receives the full investment amount prior to the beginning of the program.

The investment is structured as a convertible note (SAFE), based on Silicon Valley industry standards.

Sure. We’ve been working with Israeli start-ups that have raised their seed funding and/or have been “on the road” for a while.

No, it isn’t. Many of our startups have already raised capital at a higher valuation and still choose to join us for the added-value and benefits we provide to their companies.

Most start-ups don’t come to Fusion for the money – they do it because they are interested in growing their business to the US.

Our mentorship and welcoming network in California provide a “soft landing” platform for their business and personal needs. The accelerator is an opportunity to get to know Silicon Beach & Silicon Valley “insiders”, pitch local investors and executives, and learn from experienced founders.

Furthermore, the program is just the beginning of a journey: As strategic partners and stakeholders, we continue to work with our alumni to set up their US office, and provide access to capital and potential corporate partners.

GoAhead Ventures is an early stage venture capital fund managing over $120M in committed capital. GoAhead Ventures’ mission is to work with young (or young at heart) entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of their company. The firm has a track record as value-add investors who work alongside portfolio companies, helping entrepreneurs on every step of their journey.

The firm has invested in over 70 early-stage companies operating in the mobile, e-commerce, financial services, mobile and retail sectors. The firm is based in Menlo Park, California.

More about GoAhead Ventures’ portfolio HERE.

Unfortunately, we can’t. We are focusing all our efforts in giving value to our start-ups in the program.

We are always happy to meet or interact with founders. Unfortunately, we can’t meet  with every start-up that wants our advice and/or wants to get into Fusion in person. Hence:

1. If we are in the midst of a drafting process, applying would be the best way to engage with us.
2. If you have a different ask and/or a special inquiry (that we didn’t cover in our FAQ’s), feel free to drop us a line at info@fusionlabs.la . We appreciate accuracy combined with relevancy. Please communicate relevant information for your request and make a clear and concrete ask.

When we refer start-up founders to investors, it means we are recommending them – hence, we know them well and preferably have worked with them. If we don’t know you well, we can’t recommend you. Furthermore, we don’t make intros for commissions and/or any kind of other compensation.

If you’re looking for investors, your best alternative is to find people within your network (or sometimes, beyond it) who are involved within the tech industry and know you well, and ask them for their assistance.

No matter what stage you are at, if you are looking to build your start-up into a company in the US, we would love to hear from you. Our partners are based in Israel and Los Angeles. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to set up a time to chat: guy@fusionlabs.la