The Refiners

The Refiners was a distinctive San Francisco-based seed fund and accelerator program, established by a quartet of prominent French entrepreneurs: Pierre Gaubil, Géraldine Le Meur, Carlos Diaz, and Loïc Le Meur. Launched with a unique "reverse-accelerator" model, its core mission was to bridge the gap for international, primarily European, startups seeking to establish and scale their operations within the highly competitive Silicon Valley ecosystem. The program aimed to provide these companies with the necessary mentorship, network access, and strategic guidance to navigate the nuances of the U.S. market and secure subsequent funding rounds.

The program was structured to immerse founders in the Silicon Valley culture, offering a blend of workshops, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors, and opportunities for networking. A key component of The Refiners' offering was its standardized seed investment. Each participating startup typically received a first cheque of $100,000 in exchange for a 6% equity stake. This consistent investment model provided crucial early-stage capital, enabling startups to focus on product development and market entry without immediate fundraising pressures, while also aligning The Refiners' interests with the long-term success of their portfolio companies.

Despite its innovative approach and success in fostering numerous international ventures, The Refiners announced the cessation of its accelerator program and new investment activities in July 2019. The decision marked a strategic shift, with the organization confirming it would not be raising a new fund for future investments. While no longer an active participant in new seed-stage funding rounds, The Refiners continues to manage its existing portfolio of companies, providing ongoing support and oversight to the startups it previously backed. This pivot means that The Refiners is not currently making new investments, and its historical check sizes reflect its past operational model.