Disney has announced the participants for the 2026 Disney Accelerator program. Five growth-stage companies are working across three significant frontiers of technology. This includes:
- Robotics
- Generative AI
- Data Synthesis
This is the 12th year of Disney Accelerator, which allows visionary founders to contribute to Disney’s legacy of innovation in service of creativity. This year’s group spans key strategic innovation areas across Disney:
- Helping robots operate safely
- Enabling creatives to leverage AI
- Opening up new forms of fan engagement
- Gaining deeper insights to better serve guests and fans
Here are the companies that are a part of the 2026 Disney Accelerator program:
- FieldAI: FieldAI builds foundation models that enable robots of many types to operate safely in dynamic, uncertain environments without prior maps, GPS, or pre-planned routes. General-purpose robots capable of a wide range of tasks have been deployed commercially across hundreds of sites on three continents.
- Physical Intelligence: Physical Intelligence (Pi) is developing general-purpose AI for the physical world. Its foundation models are designed to enable robots and other machines to perform a wide range of tasks, rather than relying on task-specific programming.
- Promise: Promise is an AI-native studio that develops film, series, and visual effects by empowering next-generation storytellers. MUSE, its flagship studio operating system, integrates GenAI into all stages of production to support human artistry and expand creative possibilities.
- OpenArt: OpenArt is reimagining fan engagement with generative AI, empowering creators to bring their visual stories to life while protecting IP. The platform allows users to conversationally create, or “Vibe Direct,” ideas, characters, and stories using state-of-the-art, rapidly evolving models.
- Simile: Simile is pioneering the field of AI-based simulation, building a representation of the world grounded in real human behavior. Their foundation model enables organizations to explore consumer insights before making decisions.
“Each year, this program endeavors to raise the bar of what is possible for the future of Disney experiences. This year’s participants are approaching some of the most complex technical challenges with unmatched optimism,” said Bonnie Rosen, GM of the Disney Accelerator. “In a time of incredible change, we move forward together by supporting Disney’s creative innovators and these founders as they share ideas and breakthroughs for storytelling.”
About Disney Accelerator
The Disney Accelerator has been one of the ways that Disney invests in emerging technology since 2014. It offers opportunities for business development for select emerging founders who fit in with Disney’s vision for the future of entertainment. Participants get investment capital and the opportunity to explore collaborations with leaders across The Walt Disney Company throughout the course of the program’s four months.
This year’s program will culminate in early November with the 2026 Disney Accelerator Demo Day. This takes place on the Walt Disney Studio Lot.
Since the program began in 2014, over 60 companies have come through Disney Accelerator. Some of these companies include Epic Games, ElevenLabs, Animaj, Kahoot!, Attentive, StatusPro, and AudioShake.
More information about the 2026 Disney Accelerator program can be found at DisneyAccelerator.com.
What do you think of this year’s program participants? Which are you most excited about? What do you think this shares about where Disney is headed? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
