“Last year, almost 1,800 people followed Superman’s lead, renouncing their U.S. citizenship or handing in their Green Cards. That’s a record number since the Internal Revenue Service began publishing a list of those who renounced in 1998.” - CNBC, 4/16/12

A couple months ago, we signed up on an email list through Code for America to stay updated on a startup accelerator they were planning on announcing. For background, Code for America helps governments become more connected, lean, and participatory through new opportunities for public service — both inside and outside government — through the power of the web.

Today, they announced their accelerator, and it’s pretty exciting. You can check it out here, or below is an excerpt from the release we received in our inbox:

Starting today Code for America is officially accepting applications for its civic startup accelerator. The accelerator is designed to disrupt the massive $140 billion government IT market and provide new and better services to citizens.

This first-of-its-kind, four-month program will “turbo-charge” select civic startups by providing them a springboard to amplify market awareness of their product, additional funding, business mentoring specific to the “government 2.0” space, and introductions to a broad network of civic leaders and potential investors. Code for America has recruited experienced telecommunications and consumer software entrepreneur Ron Bouganim as program director. 

Applications will be accepted starting today until June 1: codeforamerica.org/accelerator

The accelerator has an estemed list of mentors and advisors including CTO of the United States Aneesh Chopra, Caterina Fake, co-founder of Flickr and Pinwheel, Peter Schwartz, author and founder of the Global Business Network, and Ron Conway, angel investor and partner at SV Angel. (Read the full list.)

How the Accelerator works:

• Three to five companies will be selected to participate in the program
• The program will run for four months, beginning August 1, 2012
• Each team will be granted $25,000 in funding as well as access to CfA office space for the term
• Teams will receive guidance from high-profile civic and industry mentors and advisors
• Teams can reside anywhere in the country, but will gather in San Francisco one week a month for “retreats” featuring intensive training and networking

With so many startup accelerators out there, it is awesome to have an organization that is already doing influential work for the Gov 2.0 movement to reach out and help other startups who want to make a difference in the civic space.

We are looking forward to seeing the impact it will make over the years. Judging by the people who are involved with the accelerator, it is sure to be positive, which is good news for America and our government.

— Spencer