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We bridge the worlds of art & business, empowering artists to amplify their music careers.

Alumni We’ve Proudly Supported

  • Zoo Labs alumni Alphabet Rockers celebrate their Grammy win in 2023

    Alphabet Rockers

  • ElectroSpit / HiiiWav

  • Madame Gandhi

  • Divinity Roxx

  • Psychic Eye Records

  • Kev Choice / Castles and Crowns

  • SOL Development

  • Loco Bloco

  • Gold Beams

  • Hip Hop For Change

  • Zakiya Harris / Sh8peshifter

View All

Impact

In 2023 we celebrated our 10th anniversary

Zoo Labs is proud to have been early investors in powerful artist-led businesses for over a decade.

  • 81% of Zoo Labs alumni are operating their own art-centered businesses today.

    81% of Zoo Labs alumni are operating their own art-centered businesses today.

  • Since launching the Zoo Labs FUND in 2021, we have awarded $685,000 to 40 BIPOC-led teams representing 122 individuals from across the Bay Area.

    Since launching the Zoo Labs FUND in 2021, we have awarded $685,000 to 40 BIPOC-led teams representing 122 individuals from across the Bay Area.

  • The Zoo Labs FUND awards unrestricted grants, empowering awardees to self-determine their own economic priorities.

    The Zoo Labs FUND awards unrestricted grants, empowering awardees to self-determine their own economic priorities.

  • 65% of alumni have received funding since coming to Zoo Labs ($30,000 avg).

    65% of alumni have received funding since coming to Zoo Labs ($30,000 avg).

  • Alumni hire an average of 10 contractors - putting money back into the local creative economy.

    Alumni hire an average of 10 contractors - putting money back into the local creative economy.

Alumni Testimonials

  • Erinn Knight

    “The information I learned from Zoo Labs is 98% responsible for how I think and conduct my businesses today.”

  • René y Familia

    “I feel like this grant really allowed us to expand what we have done previously. The new horizon that I feel like we're going towards is sharing our music digitally & to a larger audience.”

  • Digital Dav

    “I have learned to become not only a musician, but also an entrepreneur through your program and it has been incredibly valuable to me.”

  • Honey Gold Jasmine

    “I would not have been able to invest in my music and meet the amazing people I met this past year [...] without this grant! I was able to access spaces I normally wouldn't be able to reach.”

  • Joshua Icban

    “I've been taking advantage of the Zoo Labs: LEARN courses, which I'm very, very grateful for... these are resources I didn't know were available and were there. And that they offer it price-free - that's so major!”

  • Maddy Clifford (MADlines)

    “Zoo Labs taught me more about how to cultivate and honor what my core values and mission are as an individual artist. This has been beneficial to me in establishing collaborative business partnerships.”

What We Offer Artists:

  • Learn from an impressive pool of top business innovators, cultural leaders, and savvy musicians. Visit our online suite of FREE entrepreneurship video courses - made by artists, for artists.

    Learn from an impressive pool of top business innovators, cultural leaders, and creative entrepreneurs. Check out our FREE online video courses - made by artists, for artists.

    On-Demand Courses
  • Zoo Labs FUND - Every year we award unrestricted grants ranging from $5,000 - $50,000 + focused mentorship to BIPOC-led music teams who are making a difference in the Bay Area.

    Every year we award unrestricted grants ranging from $5,000 - $50,000 + focused mentorship to BIPOC-led music teams who are making a difference in the Bay Area.

    Apply For Funding
  • Check out our upcoming live virtual events where you can plug-in with mentors from the Zoo Labs: LEARN platform. 1 hour for deeper learnings, Q&A, and networking.

    Check out our upcoming live virtual events where you can plug-in with mentors from the Zoo Labs: LEARN platform. 1 hour for deeper learnings, Q&A, and networking.

    Live Learning Events

What We Offer Donors & Mentors:

  • SUPPORT THE ZOO LABS: FUND

    Your generous donations go directly to Bay Area BIPOC music teams whose work is contributing to the region’s arts and culture environment in positive ways.

    Donate To FUND

  • SUPPORT ZOO LABS: LEARN

    Help us commission high-quality online creative entrepreneurship courses. Your support allows us to continue offering these courses to the community free of charge.

    Donate To LEARN

  • TEACH OR MENTOR

    The Zoo Labs ecosystem is built on sharing knowledge & resources. Share your expertise and connect with artistic entrepreneurs. Become part of the Zoo Labs community.

    Get Involved

Supporters

Zoo Labs is privileged to recognize the generosity of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the California Arts Council, whose support makes our programming possible.

Collaborators

Fiscal Sponsor

Zoo Labs is a member of Intersection for the Arts.

Intersection for the Arts is a historic arts nonprofit that provides people working in arts and culture with fiscal sponsorship and resources to grow.

Follow Us

Check out the latest on our Instagram @thezoolabs

⭐️AWARDEE SPOTLIGHT⭐️ Last, but certainly not least - the $50k grant recipient for the 2024 Zoo Labs FUND is ANYxMEANS! “We empower artists to build sustainable careers without compromising their values through a holistic approach. Our progra
⭐️AWARDEE SPOTLIGHT⭐️ One of the $25k Grantees for the 2024 Zoo Labs FUND is Fyre Hazard Studios! “Fyre Hazard Studios offers recording, mixing and mastering (in Vacaville, California). We offer production and make beats for artists as well.&