Zoo Labs: FUND
Zoo Labs: FUND supports Bay Area music-centered businesses led by culturally rooted artists through grants, mentorship, and entrepreneurial training to boost innovation and preserve cultural expression.
Funder: Center for Cultural Innovation
Due Dates: August 7, 2026 (Full application deadline, 11:59 a.m. PT)
Funding Amounts: $5,000, $15,000, $25,000, or $50,000 per team; total pool $225,000; one-year support period
Summary: Supports Bay Area music-centered businesses led by culturally rooted artists through grants, mentorship, and entrepreneurial training.
Key Information: All team members must be full-time residents of eligible Bay Area counties and include at least one culturally rooted artist.
Description
Zoo Labs: FUND is a competitive grant and investment program designed to empower Bay Area entrepreneurs building businesses that center music. The program provides unrestricted funding, tailored entrepreneurial training, mentorship, and access to a professional network. It specifically prioritizes culturally rooted artists—those whose work is deeply influenced by their heritage and community experiences—who face barriers to accessing capital. By investing in these creative businesses, the program aims to foster innovation, preserve cultural and artistic expression, generate jobs, and support the stability and sustainability of the Bay Area creative economy.
