PCH Incubator, Highway1, opens applications for autumn 2014 and increases investment to $50,000.
Highway1, the San Francisco-based incubator for hardware start-ups run by PCH , announced today that its autumn 2014 programme is now open for applications, which will be accepted until 20th June 2014.
PCH also announced that Highway1 companies will receive $50,000 in seed money, an increase from $20,000, reflecting enthusiasm in the market for hardware start-ups and products, and the growth of the programme. Highway1 is also moving from its current location in the Mission District of San Francisco, to Potrero Hill, to accommodate more people, as the incubator brings more hardware teams on board.
Highway1’s autumn 2014 programme, its third hardware incubator batch to date, will accept up to 15 start-ups into its four-month educational programme tailored to hardware companies and entrepreneurs from around the world who are interested in creating the next big product.
So far, Highway1 has had 11 startups complete its program, and several companies will be publicly launching this summer. Highway1 jumpstarts each business, with the help of the incubator’s engineers, who provide hands-on support to each company, and with its hardware-focused curriculum, which prepares them for the challenges of producing hardware. The programme also includes two-weeks in China, where the class learns firsthand how to scale their products.
“PCH and Highway1 will help entrepreneurs build a company, not just a product,” said Brady Forrest, VP of Highway1. “We teach companies how to scale, and we make connections to valuable mentors who have years of experience. What we’re really looking for are next-generation hardware companies that view their product as ‘software in a box’.”
Highway1 curriculum is focused on teaching innovative companies in the prototype stage everything they need to know about manufacturing, supply chain, and pitching to investors. The programme equips start-ups with the knowledge and know-how to de-risk and become a hardware company that is sought out by investors. Hardware teams selected for the Highway1 class will learn how to turn their prototype into a product that is ready to manufacture and achieve scale.
To apply for Highway1’s next class, visit highway1.io/apply.