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805
The Program

A 90-day accelerator built
for founders with traction.

Santa Barbara has no shortage of innovation, talent, or entrepreneurial ambition — but it lacks a true accelerator focused on helping promising companies move from early traction to scalable growth. While incubators and networking groups support ideas and startups, there is currently no structured, execution-driven program designed to help local businesses commercialize faster, build operational discipline, access experienced mentorship, and prepare for meaningful expansion.

805 Accelerator was created to fill that gap — providing founders with hands-on guidance from proven entrepreneurs, a practical growth framework, accountability, and access to the relationships and resources needed to scale successfully within the Central Coast business community.

90
Day program
8
Execution sprints
1:1
Weekly mentor access
GROW
What You Get

What you get from
805 Accelerator.

01
A vast network of mentors
Direct access to operators who've built, scaled, and exited — committed to your growth and ready to open doors.
02
Access to capital
Warm introductions to angels, family offices, and institutional investors aligned with your stage and sector.
03
Personalized mentoring & education
A practical, tailored growth framework with weekly 1:1 mentor sessions and execution-focused curriculum.
SCALE
Curriculum

Eight sprints. Real deliverables.

ICP & Positioning
Define your ideal customer and build a GTM pipeline from the ground up.
GTM & Pricing
A repeatable go-to-market playbook and a pricing model built to maximize revenue.
Growth & KPIs
Structured growth experiments and a real-time dashboard tracking what moves the needle.
Capital & Pitch
Investor-ready pitch deck, financial model, and capital strategy.
Frameworks from HBSMIT WhartonStanford
Video

Hear it from us directly.

Video coming soon

The Team

Operators who've built,
scaled, and exited.

Mark Sten
Mark Sten
Co-Founder
Serial entrepreneur with 3 co-founded exits across enterprise tech and marketing analytics. VP at Omnicom. Finance Director at Raytheon.
USCWharton
"It always takes longer than you think, costs more than you think — and strong teams make a big difference."
LinkedIn →
Tom
Tom Phillips
Co-Founder
Co-founded CPS into an $800M business serving Target, Home Depot, OfficeMax, and Kmart with 1,200+ employees. Core expertise in sales, operations, and supply chain.
U. of DelawareU. of Wisconsin
"I wish I had a mentor early in my career."
LinkedIn →
Eric Saltzman
Eric Saltzman
Co-Founder
Seasoned C-suite executive with decades of experience as CFO or COO at more than a dozen public and private technology companies. Helps founders navigate financial strategy, capital structure, and operational decisions.
Stanford LawSwarthmore
"Great companies are built on sound fundamentals."
LinkedIn →
Jim Semick
Jim Semick
Advisor
25+ years in the Santa Barbara startup community. Co-founder of ProductPlan (acquired 2022). Early employee at AppFolio (IPO 2015). Led market validation for GoToMeeting, GoToMyPC, and GoToWebinar. Lecturer at UCSB.
U. of Idaho
"Start before you're ready."
LinkedIn →
"
Testimonials

What founders say.

"

I went from scrambling to support two employees to now easily supporting 28 — with benefits. We're now carried by Lowe's and expanding with new showrooms.

Lara Giulietta
Vasari Lime Plaster & Paint
"

Our mentors guided us through a major business transition with clarity — on costs, financing, and how to improve net profits and cash flow.

Megan Caird Carboni
Por La Mar Nursery
"

My business is growing double every single month, year on year. We grossed over a million last year and are on track to double that.

Coco Laforge
Santa Barbara Chef Collective
FAQ

Common questions.

Why 805 Accelerator and Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara County has over 12,000 businesses, yet there's nothing available to support businesses that are stuck but ready to scale. 805 Accelerator exists to fill that gap and help founders turn traction into scalable growth.
How does the program work?
805 Accelerator consists of a 90-day program bringing weekly execution sprints, hands-on mentorship, and proven frameworks together. Founders work through market clarity, revenue, GTM, and investor readiness — ending with tangible results.
Why choose 805 Accelerator?
We focus on execution, not theory. Unlike incubators or consultants, 805 Accelerator provides hands-on, mentor-driven support from entrepreneurs who have developed and scaled successful businesses.
How long is the program?
The program runs for 90 days (12 weeks), including 8 structured execution sprints designed to drive measurable results.
What does a week look like?
Each week CEOs will meet once or twice with their specific mentors and subject matter experts for focused education, discussion, mentorship, and execution exercises to drive growth.
What does the application process look like?
Founders apply online and are evaluated based on traction, scalability, and readiness to execute. Once pre-selected, the 805 team will follow up for further due diligence prior to final selection.
What does 805 Accelerator receive in exchange?
$1,750 program fee — reinvested back into the company upon successful completion, minus misc. expenses.
What does it take to succeed?
Founders who are coachable, decisive, and execution-focused succeed the most. Having a clear focus, some commercial traction, and speed in implementing feedback is key.
How far along does my startup need to be?
We look for companies with early traction or strong customer validation who are ready to scale revenue — not just ideas.
Can I apply if I already have funding?
Yes. Many funded startups join to accelerate growth, improve execution, and prepare for their next round.
Can I apply if my company has been around a while?
Yes. If you're at a growth stage and looking to scale or break through a plateau, the program is a strong fit.
Should I reapply if not accepted?
Yes. Many strong companies are accepted after improving traction, refining positioning, or reapplying at a better time.
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ACCELERATOR
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$1,750 program fee · Reinvested upon completion