500 Global: How the Accelerator Works and Who Can Receive Investments

What is 500 Global

The fund was founded in 2010 in Silicon Valley, when it was called 500 Startups. In 2021, the company changed its name to 500 Global to reflect its global operations. Today, the fund manages approximately $2.3 billion, and its community brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors from more than 80 countries.

500 Global invests in startups in the United States, Latin America, the Middle East, Eurasia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. According to the fund, more than 35 companies in its portfolio have become "unicorns," with valuations exceeding $1 billion.

How the Flagship accelerator works

Flagship is a four-month program held in person in San Francisco. The next cohort will run from November 30, 2026, to April 9, 2027.

Each week, participants attend group sessions and hold one-on-one meetings with mentors. The program covers how to study customers, find your market, sell your product, prepare a pitch, and raise capital. Startups receive guidance from investors with business experience, founder alumni of the program, and invited experts. Past cohorts have featured speakers such as the founders of Talkdesk, Carta, and Superhuman.

At the end of the program, startups present their projects to investors and partners during the final demo day.

What you can receive

Startups that pass the selection process can receive up to $50,000 in immediate investment. As the company grows, the fund may invest up to an additional $1 million. Participation in the first stage of the program is paid, costing $35,000, excluding travel expenses.

In addition to funding, participants gain access to 500 Global’s network of venture capitalists and a community of more than 6,000 founders worldwide.

Who can apply

You can apply at any stage—even if your project currently has no users or revenue. The main requirement is that the team has already started working on the product and plans to enter international markets. There are no strict requirements regarding industry or country, and the fund explicitly states: if you don’t meet all criteria, apply anyway.

An important condition is that founders must already be in the United States or move there within six months.

How the selection process works

First, you need to complete an application on the website. Then, teams that pass the initial stage undergo several interviews with the 500 Global team. After selection, startups begin the program in San Francisco.

You can apply on the official website: flagship.aplica.500.co. More details about the program are available on the page 500.co/founders/flagship.