Zoo Labs was founded in West Oakland in 2013 with a vision to build startup entrepreneurship infrastructure in a space where it was largely absent. Over the last decade+ we helped pioneer a new artist-led ecosystem, continually evolving our programming to empower a strong and vibrant community of 1,000+ artists and mentors.

Our unique value comes from our founding vision of supporting the whole person – addressing healing, team dynamics, personal strengths, and wellbeing. We believe entrepreneurs thrive when they're happy at work and when they preserve their creative light rather than burning out.

Today we support artists by removing barriers to access practical and affordable business training. Our online school, Zoo Labs: LEARN, is a resource library of free entrepreneurial courses made by artists, for artists.

And with the launch of the Zoo Labs: FUND, we have moved downstream to support Bay Area culturally-rooted artist teams with a music business through focused mentorship and unrestricted grants, allowing awardees to self-determine their own economic priorities in building capacity with their creative small businesses. To date, we have awarded $910,000 to 53 culturally-rooted artist teams representing 160 individuals from across the Bay Area.

Supporting the Bay Area’s cultural innovators as entrepreneurs, particularly those who face challenges or structural hurdles to accessing capital, is critical. Studies prove that entrepreneurial activity not only stimulates local employment growth and wealth creation but also plays a crucial role in community health and preventing displacement. Zoo Labs amplifies the local creative economy and supports a self-propagating ecosystem of career development, economic safety, and abundant community support.