Startup accelerator programs can be a boon for business. Graduates of startup accelerators tend to have a 23% higher survival rate compared to new businesses that don’t participate in such a program.
But before applying, it’s important to know which accelerators offer the best program for your business. You’ll need to consider their reputation, the number of investments they provide or companies they support each year, the industries they cater to, and other vital information.
What are startup accelerators?
Startup accelerators help newer startups by providing funding and other benefits, like mentorship or access to investment opportunities, in exchange for equity in the business.
Unlike incubators, which can help entrepreneurs flesh out their ideas to form companies, accelerators are best suited for startups that have already established a brand and products or services, but could use funding and network connections to grow.
29 best startup accelerators
When your startup is ready to apply for an accelerator, weigh the requirements and benefits that each program offers. To help narrow down your list, consider these 29 startup accelerators.
[image: table of each startup, number of investments, number of exits, industry or business type focus]
1. Y Combinator
Y Combinator is one of the most well-known startup accelerators; it has funded 4k+ startups valued at more than $600B. This accelerator has two three-month programs (January to March or June to August).
Y Combinator typically accepts about 2% of applicants, of which there are about 10k every six months. Each participating company receives $500k: a $125k post-money safe in exchange for 7% equity and a $375k investment on an uncapped safe.
- Number of investments: 5,449
- Number of exits: 494
- Business and industry focus: Tech, ecommerce, seed-stage startups, and high-growth startups
2. 500 Global
Formerly known as 500 Startups, this accelerator has been promoting startup growth since 2010. The organization’s 500 Global Flagship Accelerator Program takes applications on a rolling basis year-round and offers a $150k investment in exchange for 6% equity.
Participants also receive marketing, accounting, product design, sales, and finance assistance.
- Number of investments: 3,061
- Number of exits: 359
- Business and industry focus: Ecommerce, internet, and early-stage and seed-stage startups
3. Google for Startups Accelerator
Google for Startups offers multiple programs in various countries that cover such areas as Black founders, women founders, and climate tech startups. Each cohort accepts 10-15 startups that receive training, credits for Google products, three months of equity-free support, and mentoring.
- Number of investments: 1,443
- Number of exits: 51
- Business and industry focus: Tech, artificial intelligence (AI), and seed- to Series A-stage startups
4. Techstars
Tech-focused startups may want to consider one of the three-month programs offered by Techstars. They have over $95B in accumulated accelerator market cap, and their programs may be virtual, in person, or hybrid.
In addition to funding, participants receive access to more financing opportunities, mentorship, and lifetime access to Techstars resources. Techstars invests up to $120k in each accelerator startups for 6% equity.
- Number of investments: 5,536
- Number of exits: 434
- Business and industry focus: Tech, AI, and first-time entrepreneurs
5. Plug and Play Tech Center
The Plug and Play Tech Center offers an accelerator with year-round applications to its 12-week program. The venture team invests $25k to $500k in winning startups, and participants get access to over 300 investors, hundreds of events, and ongoing support.
- Number of investments: 1,593
- Number of exits: 153
- Business and industry focus: Tech, AI, high-growth startups, and startups at any stage
6. Microsoft Accelerator
Microsoft Accelerator is a 10-week program that includes $25k or more of credits to Azure cloud-computing services, licenses for Microsoft 365, a GitHub Enterprise license, and access to a network of professionals in the tech industry. Now in its third cohort, the program is best for cloud-based startups.
- Number of investments: 234
- Number of exits: 45
- Business and industry focus: Cloud-based startups
7. AngelPad
With over $5B in portfolio investments, AngelPad has been ranked a top US accelerator by MIT's Seed Accelerator Benchmark every year since 2015.
Every six months, AngelPad selects 15 participants out of around 2k applicants for the three-month program. Startups involved receive $120k in investments, plus access to cloud credits for AWS, Google, and Digital Ocean.
- Number of investments: 183
- Number of exits: 40
- Business and industry focus: Tech, seed-stage startups
8. MassChallenge
While many accelerators require equity in exchange for investment, MassChallenge is a zero-equity, nonprofit startup accelerator. It has multiple programs to choose from and no cost to apply. Attendees compete for cash prizes rather than earning upfront investments.
- Number of investments: 3,033
- Number of exits: 185
- Business and industry focus: Early-stage, fintech, health tech, and sustainability
9. Founders Factory
The London-based Founders Factory provides investments, six months of support, access to top brands and companies, and a network of founders worldwide for those who participate in its accelerator program.
The total investment amount depends on the program, and startups provide Founders Factory with 3% to 7% equity in return. They currently invest in companies in the fields of fintech, health, home, and psychedelics/mental health.
- Number of investments: 126
- Number of exits: 13
- Business and industry focus: Fintech, sustainability, media, and live events
10. Dreamit Ventures
For startups in the health tech or security tech spaces, Dreamit Ventures could be the right fit. This company offers two-week accelerator programs that are best suited for startups that are already generating revenue or have a pilot.
- Number of investments: 386
- Number of exits: 44
- Business and industry focus: Health tech, security tech, and pre-Series A startups
11. Alchemist Accelerator
The Alchemist Accelerator is a six-month program that provides mentorship, peer meetings, workshops, and ongoing access to the Alchemist network. They’ve supported over 500 startups with $2B+ in funding.
Startups that participate in the Alchemist Accelerator can receive a $25k investment in exchange for 5% equity, although the equity amount is negotiable. Participants also receive partner company credits and discounts worth over $400k.
- Number of investments: 576
- Number of exits: 52
- Business and industry focus: Enterprise startups, seed-stage startups
12. Founder Institute
The Founder Institute is designed to help prepare startups for funding and is the world’s largest pre-seed accelerator, with over 6.8k alumni and an estimated portfolio value of $30B.
The organization’s four-month program doesn’t offer direct investments but provides resources and connections to help startups develop and expand their businesses. Program participants gain mentorship and access to an extensive network of over 35k experts, plus $2m in discounts from partners including Google, AWS, Stripe, Dell, and more.
- Number of investments: 73
- Number of exits: N/A
- Business and industry focus: Tech, ecommerce, and early-stage startups
13. Startupbootcamp
Startupbootcamp offers over 20 industry-specific startup accelerator programs that last 10 to 14 weeks. They’ve supported nearly 1.5k startups with over $1.94B in funding.
Accelerator participants receive €15k (approximately $16,475) to cover living expenses, plus €400,k (approximately $439,300) in deals and other perks from partners. Startups also gain six months of free co-working space. The equity exchanged ranges from 6% to 8%, depending on the program.
- Number of investments: 542
- Number of exits: 40
- Business and industry focus: Tech, fintech, and sustainability
14. NFX
NFX is designed to promote startups in the pre-seed and seed stages. It offers a network of entrepreneurs, plus $120k in investments in exchange for 5% equity. Those who receive funding from NFX become lifetime members of its NFX Guild network.
Some of the organization’s top companies and exits include Lyft and Redbubble.
- Number of investments: 357
- Number of exits: 29
- Business and industry focus: Pre-seed startups, seed-stage startups
15. Innovation Works
Based in Pennsylvania, Innovation Works supports early-stage and seed-stage startups. Participants receive mentorship and access to a network of professionals, office space, weekly workshops, and investments of $100k to $150k. To date they’ve invested over $120m.
- Number of investments: 587
- Number of exits: 42
- Business and industry focus: Early-stage startups, seed-stage startups, medical, AI, and tech
16. StartX
Rather than investments, the StartX accelerator, an initiative funded by Stanford University and Stanford Health Care, offers an equity-free program with over $1m in resources, ranging from free office space to legal advice. It also connects founders to mentors and a network of fellow entrepreneurs.
Participating startups can also tap into the Stanford University network of alumni, recent graduates, and soon-to-be graduates when making new hires. (NOTE: StartX offers an invite-only Visiting Founder Application for non-Stanford-affiliated teams.)
- Number of investments: N/A
- Number of exits: N/A
- Business and industry focus: Well-funded startups, growth-stage startups
17. Boost VC
Boost VC is all about deep-tech startups, focusing on companies in AI, virtual reality, crypto, and more. Its three-month program is available to startups around the world that have raised less than $2m. Boost VC will invest $500k and gives preferences to startup teams over solo founders.
- Number of investments: 287
- Number of exits: 28
- Business and industry focus: Deep tech, pre-seed startups
18. Village Capital
Village Capital is dedicated to supporting startups that make an impact. Per their site they “identify a problem in the world and form a hypothesis around how innovation can help alleviate it.”
Startups that participate in its programs tend to earn over two times more revenue and raise three times more capital compared to a control group. Programs range from one to 12 days, and the highest-ranked startups in each cohort go on to earn funding or seed capital.
- Number of investments: 326
- Number of exits: 18
- Business and industry focus: Fintech, education, sustainability, and health
19. LAUNCH
At LAUNCH, cohorts consist of seven startups for each 15-week program. Applicants should already have a product on the market that generates revenue.
Participants will have the opportunity to pitch to up to 15 investors weekly. LAUNCH also invests $100k in each startup in exchange for 6% equity, plus opportunities for further investments in exchange for more equity long term.
- Number of investments: 171
- Number of exits: 9
- Business and industry focus: Pre-Series A startups, deep tech, consumer products, and marketing
20. IndieBio
IndieBio, an accelerator under VC firm SOSV, promotes early-stage startups in the biotech space. Each startup earns $200k in cash and $75k in kind in exchange for 11.2% post-debt equity.
Startups that participate in this full-time, 20-week program can also earn another $250k from the Genesis Consortium. IndieBio may further invest in its accelerator alumni in future funding rounds.
- Number of investments: 436
- Number of exits: 4
- Business and industry focus: Health, tech, early-stage startups
21. HAX
Another accelerator under SOSV, HAX provides a six-month program for startups focused on hard tech. Each participating startup receives a $250k investment in exchange for 14% equity.
It also offers access to industry experts, additional investors, and even supply chain and manufacturer teams.
- Number of investments: 541
- Number of exits: 12
- Business and industry focus: Pre-seed startups, hard tech
22. Seedcamp
Based in London, Seedcamp has helped launch nine unicorns in Europe since its inception. Seedcamp’s initial investment, often one of the first investments for new companies, is around £300k to £500k (about $375,430 to $625,715).
- Number of investments: 537
- Number of exits: 58
- Business and industry focus: Tech, early-stage startups
23. AlphaLab
With two unicorns under its belt, AlphaLab offers a $100k investment and a tailored six-month program for founders to grow their businesses. After completing the program, startups have continued access to the AlphaLab office spaces, invites to events, and up to $800k in follow-on investments.
- Number of investments: 156
- Number of exits: 15
- Business and industry focus: Tech, early-stage startups
24. Berkeley SkyDeck
With its connection to UC Berkeley, Berkeley SkyDeck offers startups a huge network of current students and alumni to tap into for their businesses.
Startups receive mentorship and workshops, and can access specialized tracks for developing their companies. SkyDeck has three programs for startups at different stages. The SkyDeck Accelerator Program participants receive a $200k investment. Participants must have some affiliation with UC Berkeley or the University of California.
- Number of investments: 470
- Number of exits: 18
- Business and industry focus: Tech, robotics
25. Maine Technology Institute
Founded in 1999, the Maine Technology Institute offers funding opportunities for startups that will primarily operate in the state of Maine. Applications are open year-round, and participants will work closely with an assigned adviser.
Funding and terms may vary depending on the startup. Those who receive funds will need to continue to submit annual impact reports for five years after receiving an investment.
- Number of investments: 700
- Number of exits: 14
- Business and industry focus: Health, manufacturing, and tech
26. Capital Factory
Capital Factory’s accelerator includes perks for Texas-based startups, like access to major events (including SXSW), educational lectures, workshops, mentorship, six months of free co-working memberships, and over $250k in resource credits from Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and more.
In exchange for its program and ongoing resources, Capital Factory takes 1% equity and the right to invest in your next round of funding.
- Number of investments: 193
- Number of exits: 24
- Business and industry focus: Tech
27. Forum Ventures
Created by former SaaS (software as a service) company founders and operators, Forum Ventures is tailored to SaaS startups. Its programs are customized for each startup, and it offers a $100k investment for 7.5% equity.
Startups also receive access to a network of potential customers as well as over $100k in perks from HubSpot, Carta, Early Growth, and more.
28. Boomtown Accelerators
Boomtown Accelerators offers an alternative approach to accelerator programs by connecting startups with other organizations, including potential competitors, to become partners. For example, this could look like partnering a startup with a large existing company for licensing deals on the startup’s products or services.
- Number of investments: 173
- Number of exits: 8
- Business and industry focus: Sportstech, health, hard tech
29. Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator
Based in New York City, the Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA) has raised over $1.7B. Every year, the organization offers two programs that run for four months.
Each startup receives a $150k investment for 6% equity, plus mentorship, hosting credits for cloud-based services, and other partner deals. Programs are hybrid, with both in-person and virtual components.
- Number of investments: 347
- Number of exits: 34
- Business and industry focus: Tech, software, internet
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