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FbStart Support
General FAQs
What is FbStart?
FbStart is a global program from Facebook designed to empower startups to build amazing products and grow and scale their products. FbStart members receive free tools and services, support, training and year-round opportunities to connect directly with the Facebook team for technical and professional support. FbStart members also receive a custom package of exclusive discounts from dozens of Facebook partners, including companies such as Amazon, Dropbox, Stripe and MailChimp. B2B and B2C businesses with an active mobile website, Messenger bot and/or native mobile app developers can apply to join the program at FbStart.com.
What will I receive?
As an FbStart member, you'll receive these free offerings:
  • Tools -free credits to tools and services from Facebook and dozens of third-party partners including Amazon, Dropbox, MailChimp, Salesforce, Stripe, and UserTesting.
  • Support -direct and exclusive access to Facebook technical support staff.
  • Community -year-round opportunities to connect with the startup ecosystem and Facebook's product managers, engineers, and marketers during events, office hours, webinars, email and online tools.
Why is Facebook offering this program?
Facebook believes that in order to accomplish our mission to make the world a more open and connected place that we need to invest in the people and businesses that help drive innovation. We want to help startups succeed, and together build a more thriving developer ecosystem.
Who is eligible for FbStart?
We accept startups and developers with live Messenger platform bots, native mobile apps, sites optimized for mobile web, businesses with B2B offerings as well as as well as startups with referral codes from our VC, accelerator, university, and hackathon partners. We offer two tracks for startups at different stages of growth:
  • Bootstrap track: Bootstrap track: Any startup who's launched a quality, working bot in Messenger, a native mobile app in the Google Play or Apple app stores, a site optimized for mobile web, or a business with a B2B offering
  • Accelerate track: Any developer who's launched a working bot in Messenger, a native mobile app in the Apple or Google Play app stores, a site optimized for mobile web, or a business with a B2B offering and has seen a sustained level of growth in their target markets
In order to join FbStart, you must have a registered Facebook app ID and Facebook developer account, but you do not need to have Facebook products integrated into your app. Your company must be a privately held business with less than US $5 million in external funding.
What if my bot is not built on Messenger platform?
To be eligible for FbStart, you must have an approved Facebook Messenger bot. For more information, please read the Messenger bot guidelines, policies and review process.
Do all developers and/or startups get the same benefits once accepted into a track of Fbstart, regardless of if they were accepted based on their messenger bot, native app, or mobile website?
Yes. Any member that is accepted into the Bootstrap or Accelerate track receives the full scope of benefits.
Who is eligible for the Social Good package?
While anyone can apply for the Social Good package as part of the application process, we will evaluate applicants for the package by a set of factors to ensure they develop products for social good. For Social Good, we evaluate the social problem you are trying to solve, the countries your startup services, and any corresponding legal identifier indicating nonprofit or social good status.
How long do I stay in the program?
If you are accepted into FbStart, you are member indefinitely. However, FbStart benefits, including Facebook ad credits and exclusive discounts to partner services expire between 6-12 months of acceptance date. Even after credits expire, members will still be enrolled in the program and will be able to access support and community opportunities. We periodically audit our members to see if they continue to meet the FbStart eligibility requirements (e.g. have a live mobile app, bot, or site).
Can developers graduate from one track (e.g. Bootstrap) to another? (e.g. Accelerate)
Yes, it's possible to graduate from one track to another. We currently do this on an annual basis, and hundreds of Bootstrap companies were upgraded to Accelerate this year.
Is there an application deadline?
FbStart applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
When will I hear back once I submit my application?
We're committed to reviewing your application and getting back to you within 4 to 6 weeks.
How do I apply for FbStart?
Apply directly here.You'll need to fill out a short application form with your company and app information.
What's the difference between the Bootstrap track and the Accelerate track?
For businesses that are early-stage startups or have recently launched, the Bootstrap track is the best fit. Bootstrap is also best for startups that have yet to reach sustained growth over time. The Accelerate track is focused on helping startups that are more established and have seen sustained growth, but are also fairly early in their lifecycle and can demonstrate that they have the potential for continued growth. There are significantly fewer spaces available in the Accelerate track and the qualification requirements are more rigorous.
How do you decide which startups are chosen for which track?
Startups will be evaluated based on a number of factors, including — but not limited to — their size, growth, quality, engagement and funding. For the Bootstrap track, we'll be looking for high-quality businesses that are policy compliant and offer an engaging user experience. For Accelerate, we'll be looking beyond this for startups that have had a sustained period of growth and engagement as well as international success. All businesses will be reviewed by Facebook, and you'll receive a notification if you are admitted to either track.
I don't have a referral code. How do I get one?
If you're backed by or associated with an organization that invests in or works with startups, please reach out to them and see if they have a referral code. If your organization does not have a referral code and would like to refer startups they work with to FbStart, have them contact us at fbstartpartners@fb.com.

We also accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, so once your startup has launched, you'll be able to apply to FbStart without a referral code.
I represent an organization that invests in or works directly with mobile startups. How can I partner with FbStart?
Please email fbstartpartners@fb.com with a description of your organization and how you work with startups. Include information on the number of startups, the regional focus (if any), and the types of startups (mobile, web, etc.) you work with. Someone from our Partnerships team will respond within two weeks.
What's the difference between the tracks (Bootstrap, Accelerate) and the package (Social Good)?
All accepted FbStart members are placed into the track most relevant for their stage of development as determined by size, growth, quality, and engagement, among other factors we evaluate. Once accepted into either the Bootstrap or Accelerate track, you will receive a set of free credits to tools and services meant to serve your startup development and growth needs.

The packages we offer are add-on benefits and support opportunities for specific types of developers — namely, social good. These developers will receive all benefits associated with one of our tracks (Bootstrap and Accelerate), but also have the chance to take advantage of additional resources provided through the packages that better serve their individual needs.
If I have more than one app, bot, or site that I'd like to be considered for FbStart, can I apply with both?
Yes, of course. Just be sure to prioritize your app, bot, or site in your application and list your most engaging and successful ones first. Only one will be selected for inclusion in the program, and you'll only receive one set of benefits even if more than one qualifies.
What if more than one of my Apps, bots, or sites qualifies for FbStart?
Your company is approved as a whole, rather than your individual Apps, bots, or sites. So while you can submit several for consideration, only one per company will be accepted to FbStart, and you'll only receive one set of benefits.
Why do you need to know my funding information?
While funding information alone is not a primary consideration for qualification to FbStart, it does help provide a signal on the health of your business. We also need to determine whether your company is privately held, and whether its size makes you eligible for the program.
How can I check my application status?
You will receive an email notifying you of your application status within 14 days of applying. If you want to check on your application, visit developers.facebook.com/fbstart after applying and click on the “Apply” button. Upon final review, we will post the status of your application on your dashboard.
Additional Resources
Visit the FbStart Facebook Page
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