MergeLane was founded in Boulder by angel investors Sue Heilbronner and Elizabeth Kraus. Mergelane's aim is to bring more women into the startup community. Mergelane is accepting applications through Dec. 1. Applicants must have a business with some evidence of traction and a proven or implied ability to scale.

Boulderopolis recently reported, “Data overwhelmingly shows that venture-backed, female-run companies produce higher returns,” said Sue Heilbronner, MergeLane’s chief executive, in a media statement. “MergeLane is set up to be on par with the leading accelerators in the world.”

For its first 12-week program beginning in February, MergeLane will accept eight companies. It offers a guaranteed investment of $20,000 per participating company with up to $100,000 of discretionary investment upon completion of the program. MergeLane takes a 6 percent equity stake in the chosen companies, similar to that taken by Boulder-based TechStars. Reflecting the increasing competition among startup accelerators in the region, TechStars in September announced an equity-back guarantee."