The Venture Fellows is an eight-month immersive, no-cost program that supports innovators addressing key challenges of our time: unpredictable and variable weather events, health-related concerns from dirty air, water, and energy sources, and lack of nutritious, affordable, and sustainably grown food.
Launched in 2022, the Venture Fellows Program aims to identify, nurture, and scale promising innovations in responding to these challenges through strategic guidance and connections to ecosystem partners.
We are committed to enabling participants to develop pilot and validate projects for the most promising innovations in sites that can be scaled to larger use cases and communities.
Do you have an innovative solution to enhance community resilience and adaptability to weather challenges in Los Angeles County?
startups have enrolled in the Venture Fellows program since 2022.
in follow-on capital raised.
jobs created or preserved by Fellows.
Applications are now open through February 13th to join our next cohort. The program begins in March 2026.
Tell us about your idea & vision — and our team will be in touch with next steps & more info.
Since 2022, the Venture Fellows program has supported 22 incredible innovators, who are developing solutions to address environmental-related resilience and adaptation challenges in communities that are most at-risk.
Be the first to receive updates and opportunities with our monthly VF newsletter. Learn about program activities, upcoming events, ways to support, and follow our Fellows and Alumni on their journey through features and highlights.
From clean water to climate-ready infrastructure, this year’s cohort is tackling big challenges with bold solutions. These innovators are building a more resilient, equitable future—starting with the communities who need it most.
Since 2022, the Venture Fellows program has supported 34 incredible innovators, who are developing solutions to address environmental-related resilience and adaptation challenges in communities that are most at-risk.
Be the first to receive updates and opportunities with our monthly VF newsletter. Learn about program activities, upcoming events, ways to support, and follow our Fellows and Alumni on their journey through features and highlights.
Our Mission.
The environmental crisis is reshaping human health, local economies, and the future of our planet, placing disproportionate strain on urban communities. Venture Fellows exists to accelerate solutions that help cities adapt, build resilience, and thrive.
The Venture Fellows program is a no-cost accelerator supporting innovators designing and piloting solutions in Los Angeles first, with the potential to scale nationally and globally.
Venture Fellows receive hands-on support to validate, pilot, and scale impactful solutions, including:
We are looking for innovators who:
Each year, Venture Fellows focuses on priority areas reflecting the most pressing environmental needs across Los Angeles. While these areas guide our selection, all impactful environmental solutions are encouraged to apply.
For 2026, the program focuses on three areas:
Strengthening cities to withstand climate-driven disruptions.
The examples below are illustrative and not exhaustive. We welcome innovative solutions aligned with this focus area, even if not explicitly listed.
Advancing clean, resilient, and accessible energy solutions.
The examples below are illustrative and not exhaustive. We welcome innovative solutions aligned with this focus area, even if not explicitly listed.
Protecting essential resources and public health.
The examples below are illustrative and not exhaustive. We welcome innovative solutions aligned with this focus area, even if not explicitly listed.
Join a cohort of mission-driven entrepreneurs building solutions for a more resilient and sustainable Los Angeles.
We will select 10-15 innovators for the 2026 cohort. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, early submission is strongly encouraged, as spots may fill before the February deadline.
To apply, please submit your information through our online application portal. During the application period, our team will review submissions, conduct interviews with a selected shortlist of candidates, and make the final announcement once the chosen applicant accepts the program’s terms.
Throughout the Venture Fellows program the Larta team advocated for us within the greater Los Angeles ecosystem. The team was providing relevant programming while simultaneously connecting us with mentors and decision- makers across the region. We are deeply grateful for Larta’s support and highly recommend this opportunity.
Founder & CEO, AirVitalize
Stay up-to-date with our monthly Venture Fellows Newsletter. This newsletter includes program activities, such as upcoming events and ways to support, alongside Fellow and Alumni features and highlights.
The program runs for eight months and is designed to fit the busy schedules of innovators. Most activities are virtual, with select in-person opportunities to connect, collaborate, and showcase your work. Selected solutions will be chosen based on their intent to test and scale in Los Angeles, even if the company is not based locally, ensuring they generate meaningful impact in the communities the Venture Fellows Program aims to serve.
No. Applicants can be U.S.-based companies with the goal of designing and/or piloting their product to meet the needs of communities across Los Angeles County, with the potential to scale to other regions.
This program is open to established startups interested in testing or advancing their innovations. Your solution may follow a nonprofit, hybrid, or traditional business model.
The program is free for all accepted applicants.
Participants are expected to engage fully throughout the 8-month period, which may vary slightly depending on the cohort year.
The 2026 cohort is proposed to run from March 2026 through November 2026. Sign up to receive updates when the application window opens.
Each month includes up to 1.5 hours of workshops, 1–2 meetings with your principal advisor, and optional office hours with the Larta team for support. It is clear that you get more from what you put in.
The program is designed so you can stay focused on the day-to-day operations of your business while we help layer in strategic guidance for you to achieve key milestones, reduce friction, and minimize risks.
Your idea can be between Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 and 7. If you’re unsure what your TRL is, please see the Government Accountability Office definition here or reach out to Laura Macias (lmacias@larta.org) with brief information about your stage of innovation development.
Please fill out this Contact Us Form and select “Join a Start-up Program”. In the notes box, please add “Question about Venture Fellows” followed by your question. Someone will contact you shortly.
If you have an innovative solution to enhance community resilience and adaptability to weather challenges in Los Angeles County, tell us about it and our team will be in touch with next steps & more info.
