Facebook Inc. announced in December that it would be launching its own in-house incubator to help mentor promising U.K.-based tech startups, and now the company’s LDN_LAB has officially opened its doors for its first cohort.

LDN_LAB  is part of Facebook’s new London office, which opened in December and added 800 employees to Facebook’s U.K. staff. The incubator puts startups through a 12-week program that includes office space for up to five team members.

During the program, Facebook provides mentorship and training opportunities from industry experts, as well as advice on how to run a business and network with other innovators. When Facebook first announced its incubator, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that it would “play a crucial role in attracting vital talent to London.”

Startups interested in applying to Facebook’s incubator have to meet four basic criteria. In addition to being be based in the U.K., the startups must have been founded within the last three years and have teams of no more than 50 people. Finally, Facebook also said that it is only interested in startups that are “connecting people and building a community.”

Facebook kicked of its first cohort for the program this week with seven startups (pictured) that all have a clear focus on bringing people together through technology, which happens to be Facebook’s own mission statement. The seven startups include:

• Goodgym – A fitness network that connects runners with outreach and volunteer opportunities
• Mush – A social network and support community for mothers
• Olio – An app that lets users and local businesses share extra food with neighbors instead of throwing it away
• Rabble – A fitness app that teams up users for fun, athletic games like capture the flag
• Sharecare – A volunteer network that assists the elderly
• Tabl – A marketplace where users can buy foods from independent producers
• Teacherly – A lesson planning platform for teachers

LDN_Lab is part of the Facebook’s larger Community Boost program, which the company launched in November to help business owners get the most out of social media, specifically Facebook’s own products Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Workplace and so on.

Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said at the time that by supporting small businesses, Facebook is also supporting local communities. “That’s because small businesses create jobs, provide services, and bring people together,” said Zuckerberg. “A lot of small business owners end up being leaders in their communities too.”

Photo: Facebook