Zoo Labs Fund
The Zoo Labs: FUND, administered in partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), is a funding and investment initiative designed to support Bay Area entrepreneurs who are launching or growing businesses centered around music. With a strong emphasis on culturally-rooted artist teams, the program offers unrestricted funding to music ventures that align with values of cultural preservation, innovation, economic empowerment, and community enrichment. In 2025, the FUND will distribute a total of $230,000 in grants, prioritizing artist teams that face barriers to accessing capital and are committed to contributing to the Bay Area's creative ecosystem. Zoo Labs: FUND provides grants in four tiers: $5,000, $15,000, $25,000, and $50,000, with award size contingent upon the team’s business development stage. Eligibility requires applicant teams of at least two individuals, including one culturally-rooted artist, who all reside full-time in specified Bay Area counties. Teams may include various roles such as content creators, producers, engineers, and advisors, and must be operating a music-centered business, whether as a nonprofit, sole proprietorship, or for-profit organization. Prior grantees may reapply if they meet reporting and mentorship obligations from previous awards. Applicants must complete an online submission through CCI’s Submittable platform between May 19 and July 7, 2025. Required materials include a team pitch video, business matrix, one work sample, and a budget with notes. Applications are assessed based on the strength of the team, artistry and craft, entrepreneurship, and internal and external community impact. An independent panel reflecting diverse backgrounds will review the materials and recommend grantees. The notification of awards is scheduled for September 8, 2025. In addition to receiving financial support, awardees gain access to mentorship opportunities through Zoo Labs: LEARN. These include on-demand courses, virtual networking sessions, and for higher-tier recipients, a strategy session with Zoo Labs Co-Founder Vinitha Watson. All grantees must attend a virtual orientation on October 15, 2025, and participate in at least one one-on-one business mentorship session. Recipients of $25,000 or $50,000 grants are also invited to serve as voluntary mentors to future applicants. The grant supports activities from September 2025 through September 2026. For assistance, applicants can contact CCI via email at grants@cciarts.org or phone at 415.288.0530. Additional technical support is available through Submittable. Information sessions and office hours are scheduled throughout June and early July to assist prospective applicants in preparing strong submissions. All applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines, FAQs, and application preview before seeking support. The Zoo Labs: FUND is made possible with support from Vinitha and David Watson and individual donors. Contributions are welcomed to expand the program’s reach. The FUND continues to invest in artistic legacies that reflect the diversity, resilience, and creativity of Bay Area communities.
Award Range
Not specified - Not specified
Total Program Funding
$225,000
Number of Awards
Not specified
Matching Requirement
No
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
To be considered for funding, applicants: Must be BIPOC or BIPOC-led teams of two or more people, with at least one artist member1. Additionally, we encourage teams who are of historically marginalized communities, including LGBTQIA+ and gender variant people, people with disabilities, and immigrants to apply; Must be launching or have an already established music business2; Must reside full-time in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, or Sonoma County. This criterion applies to ALL team members. Can be any age, however, if a member of the team is 18 years old or younger, CCI staff must be contacted to discuss the team’s eligibility; Can be a previous grantee3, however, first-time award recipients may be prioritized; and Cannot have a conflict of interest (family or financial relationship) with the board, staff, or directors of Center for Cultural Innovation, Zoo Labs, or Intersection for the Arts. 1Teams may consist of artists, content creators, producers, developers, engineers, managers, advisors, and other supporting roles. 2Music as a product, program, service, or art form/cultural expression must be the key feature of the business. We are open to a range of music businesses such as groups/ensembles, recording studios, music festivals or events, vinyl record presses, record labels, music technology, music-based healing services, and music education nonprofits, to name a few examples. 3Previous grantees must submit an approved final report and fulfill their mentorship requirements in order to be eligible for funding consideration.
Geographic Eligibility
Alameda County (CA), Contra Costa County (CA), Marin County (CA), Napa County (CA), San Francisco County (CA), San Mateo County (CA), Santa Clara County (CA), Solano County (CA), Sonoma County (CA)
Application Opens
May 23, 2024
Application Closes
July 10, 2024
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