Betaworks Camp: Not Your Typical Startup Accelerator
Applications for the next Camp program due December 13
Betaworks, originally known as the "OG Venture Studio," has evolved into a pre-seed VC firm focused on machine learning and AI. At its core is Camp, a cohort-based investment program that reimagines the traditional accelerator model. I had a chance this week to talk with Partner Jordan Crook and Founder/Managing Partner John Borthwick about the program, the benefits and the upcoming December 13 deadline for Founders who want to apply. Here’s what they had to say:
A Different Kind of “Accelerator”
What sets Camp apart is its highly selective and thematic approach. Rather than filling a set number of seats, Betaworks invests based on their desired portfolio composition, focusing on specific themes within AI - from cognitive tooling powered by LLMs to AI agents and Native AI applications.
The Program Structure
The 13-week program emphasizes two key elements: zero-to-one product development with tight user feedback loops, and deep technical expertise in the cohort's specific theme. While demo days are included, Betaworks prioritizes building strong, fundamentals-based businesses over fundraising presentations.
Community and Peer Learning
Camp's strength lies in its community, where founders work alongside peers tackling similar technical challenges. This creates a powerful learning environment, with companies sharing insights and strategies throughout the program. The Betaworks space itself hosts a mix of current participants, alumni, and entrepreneurs at various stages.
A Graduate School Approach
Camp accepts companies at different stages within the pre-seed realm - from founders seeking their initial funding to those who have already raised $3 million. This diversity creates a rich ecosystem while maintaining focused goals for each participant.
Track Record and Requirements
The program boasts impressive results, with typically 75% of companies raising funding within 30-45 days of completion. The most notable alumni from the program is Hugging Face, the open-source platform for building applications using ML, which was most recently valued at a cool $4.5 billion.
Betaworks seeks founders who:
Have working prototypes
Possess technical expertise
Demonstrate domain experience
Can articulate specific problems and solutions beyond buzzwords
Priority deadline for applications due Dec. 13, 2024
The upcoming Camp will focus on the application layer, particularly workflow automation, AI agents, and both vertical and horizontal future of work applications. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of December 13th.
Apply to Betaworks Camp - 12/13 priority deadline: betaworks.com/apply
Read more about the theme here: beta.works/applayer
Contact analisa[at]betaworks.com with any questions
Upcoming Lynx Collective Events
(Dec 4) Building the Future of Ethereum: Ethereum Collective Foundation (ECF) Meet & Greet - The Ethereum Collective Foundation (ECF) is dedicated to empowering builders, innovators, and the broader Ethereum community. One of their key initiatives is the ECF Residency Program in NYC, running from late January to March 2025. Join us for an evening filled with lively conversations, tasty snacks, and refreshing drinks as we explore the exciting initiatives of ECF.
(Dec 12) Inside: Primary Ventures w/ Sam Toole - Join us for a fireside chat with Primary Venture Partners, New York's leading early-stage venture firm, managing over $1 billion in assets with a team of 50 full-time professionals. In this session, Partner Sam Toole will share insights into Primary's unique investment approach and his focus on the Health Tech sector.