57 Best Startup Accelerators For Founders [18 Prime Locations]

If you are unfamiliar with the concept, a startup accelerator is just a group of experienced entrepreneurs that provide new businesses with funds, advice, connections, and direction. Think of the TV shows Shark Tank or Dragons Den, and you will be in the rough ballpark.

A recent boom in tech-focused startups has fueled the emergence and growth of accelerators; They are now a lifeline to many startups. By working with some of the best startup accelerators available, thousands of companies worldwide have succeeded where they otherwise might have failed.

Dropbox, Coinbase, and Airbnb are all testimony to startup accelerators, helping startups from launch to investor-ready as quickly as possible. 

What Is A Startup Accelerator?

Startup accelerators are intense programs that propel early-stage startups through financing, mentorship, and educational programs. 

Accelerators usually work with startups for around six months (sometimes much less), helping entrepreneurs establish themselves quickly by mapping out a high-speed strategy.

Typically, the program concludes with demo days - a special occasion where you pitch your idea to investors, financiers, and the media. 

This article looks at the best startup accelerators in 2023 to help you decide which will benefit your business the most.

3 Best Accelerators In New York 

Forum Ventures

Address

110 5th Ave. 5th Floor. New York, NY 10011, US. 

Program Details

Forum for Founders targets SaaS businesses.

The program offers pre-seed funding of $100K, personalized guidance from industry experts, a go-to-market strategy, and attractive perks.

Admission Terms:

• Self-driven and coachable startup founders with an MVP or a near-market-ready solution. 
• Companies that have taken funding of below $500k. 

Admission Fee:

7.5% equity 

MetaProp 

Address:

10018 214 W 39th St Suite 705, New York, NY 10018, US.

Program Details:

Niche focus: fintech, software, and real estate.

The 22-week program has a full-scale curriculum and includes a capital investment of up to $250,000. Moreover, you can access services worth $200,000.

It features Demo Days, Pilot Days, mentorship from MetaProp’s mentorship pool, access to program partners, and startup accelerator events. 

Admission Terms:

Scalable tech startups in real estate. 

Admission Fee:

3-6% stake based on your company stage.

Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator

Address

415 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, US.

Program Details:

Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator is designed for early-stage tech startups with a software component.

The four-month program is sector agnostic and accepts pitches from SaaS, Health Tech, E-commerce, Marketing, Logistics, Education, and Real Estate.

Benefits of enlisting with Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator include an investment of $100,000, pitch practice, Demo Day, workshops by industry experts, sector-specific mentorship, perks from partners, and access to investors. 

Admission Terms:

Scalable tech startups. 

Committed and knowledgeable founders. 

Admission Fee:

8% common stock in your business for an investment of $100,000.

3 Best Accelerators In Silicon Valley

Y Combinator 

Address:

335 Pioneer Way, Mountain View, California 94041, US.

Program Details:

Y Combinator pioneered acceleration programs in 2005 and has helped 3,500+ startups. 

The three-month mentorship program runs twice a year and invests $500K per startup in tech-enabled industries. 

Participants present to carefully selected investors on Demo Day.  Additionally, participants can access alumni networking opportunities post-Demo Day. 

Admission Terms:

Founders must have a minimum shareholding of 10% in the startup to participate.

Admission Fee:

Asking for 7% of equity for a $500K investment. 

500 Startup

Address:

814 Mission St, Fl 6, San Francisco, California 94103, US.https://startupgeek.com/most-active-investors-2022/

Program Details:

500 Startup operates across 16 countries.

The 13-week Seed Accelerator Programs are designed for companies in the Internet, E-commerce, and Software niches. 

It focuses on digital marketing, business development, fundraising, and technological innovations. 

There are two Demo Days per year where founders pitch to potential investors and customers. 

Besides, startup founders have access to 1:1 mentorship, partner networks, and events. 

Admission Terms:

A scalable technology-based solution with a functional and monetizable prototype.

Admission Fee:

• $37,500 which is recoverable from their investment. 
• A 6% stake for a $150,000 investment.

Alchemist Accelerator

Address:

149 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105, US.

Program Details:

A six-month program suited for startups with innovations in AI, IT, and Software. It supports enterprise software startups operating in various monetizing models eg SaaS, freemium, or hardware.

Entrepreneurs from across the globe can participate remotely.

Admission Terms:

• Founders must be tech-savvy, and investor-friendly.
• A prototype with high customer traction. 

Admission Fees:

An undisclosed tuition fee that’s recoverable from an investment of about $25,000. Flexible terms on equity with most participants offering a 5.0% stake. 

3 Best Accelerators In Boston

MassChallenge

Address:

10 Fan Pier Boulevard 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02210, US.

Program Details:

MassChallenge supports early-seed startups and high-impact businesses in the tech world. 

The four-month program is best for HealthTech, Fintech, Enterprise Technology, and Sports Tech. It includes a curated curriculum, mentorship forums, and exhibitions to propagate growth, networking, and investor funding.

Admission Terms:

Startups with big-impact ideas from anywhere in the world.

They should have raised $1M or less in equity funding with Annual Recurring Revenues below $2M.

Admission Fee:

• Free entry. 
• No equity is required. 

TechStars 

Address:

2 Ave de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111, US.

Program Details: 

Techstars boasts a successful portfolio of startup investments in tech-centered businesses in software and AI niches.

The three-month accelerator program is mentorship-based. It accommodates 500 startups annually who receive an investment funding of $120,000.

Participants have access to office space, workshops with industry gurus, founder stories, and pitch practice sessions in readiness for Demo Day. 

Furthermore, startups can tap into TechStar's worldwide network of startup founders, mentors, and investors. 

Admission Terms:

Founder teams with a high-impact idea that offers solutions. 

Admission Fee:

6% equity stake

LearnLaunch

Address:

1 Lincoln St, Boston, MA 02111, US.

Program Details: 

Targets the edTech niche with two accelerator programs for early-stage and late-stage startups. 

The 12-week program caters to 6-10 startups. It offers a milestone-based investment of up to $150,000 in two phases. 

The program incorporates personalized mentorship and support, pitch rehearsals, and exposure to investors.

Post-program support is available.

Admission Terms:

• Startups with a ready product and Annual Recurring Revenues of not less than $100k. 
• A co-founder must be available for the program. 

Admission Fee:

6% equity for $20K, an additional $50K if you achieve set milestones. 

3 Best Accelerators In Austin

Quake Capital Partners

Address:

501 Congress Ave. Ste. 150 Austin TX, US.

Program Details: 

The program focuses on AI, Blockchain, AgTech, AdTech, SaaS, Healthcare, and Robotics.

Quake Capital’s three-month program is designed for leadership growth and hands-on training. Beet for pre-seed and seed-stage businesses valued between $1M to $3M. 

It offers an Investment of $100k to $150k, investor connections, Demo Days, mentorship from Quake Mentors, perks of over $1M, office space, and lifetime access to the Quake network and resources.

Admission Terms:

The main considerations are traction (50%), founder team (30%), and market scalability (20%).

Admission Fee:

5-10% stake (post-SAFE) for a $150,000 investment.  

Bunker Labs

Address:

200 E 6th St. #200 Austin, TX 78734, US.

Program Details: 

Focuses on assisting the military including their spouses, families, and veterans to start businesses. 

The 12-month program does not include funding. However, it exposes you to investors and networks that accelerate growth.

Admission Terms:

• For the military.
• A senior executive with a controlling stake in a company with significant traction and great potential: revenues of $1M+ and capital of over $5M. 

Admission Fee:

No fee. You cover traveling and accommodation expenses. 

Capital Factory

Address:

701 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701, USA.

Program Details: 

A three-month sector agnostic program. 

The program majors in fundraising and market growth through mentorship and education, investor access, hosting credits, and offering office space for participating startups.

Admission Terms:

Undisclosed.

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed

3 Best Accelerators In Atlanta 

ATDC

Address:  

Georgia Institute of Technology, 75 5th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA.

Program Details: 

A time-tested curriculum that scales your startup to make it investor-ready. The program helps tech-based businesses from launch to commercial success.

Companies receive mentorship by attending masterclasses by serial entrepreneurs. Besides, they can access Georgia Tech resources, capital, and customers.

Admission Terms:

A technology-enabled business idea.

Admission Fee:

Reasonable fees. Takes no equity stake.

Atlanta Tech Village

Address:

3423 Piedmont Road NE. Atlanta, Georgia 30305, US.

Program Details: 

Atlanta Tech Village operates a diversity and inclusion program targeting pre-seed tech businesses by women and people of color. 

Participating startups access mentorship from tech experts in workshops.

The four-month program offers membership at Atlanta Tech Village, funding opportunities, a working space, and a curriculum for scaling startups. 

Admission Terms:

• A technology-oriented startup led by women or people of color. 
• Raise capital below $150k. 

Admission Fee:

No fees.

Atlanta Ventures

Address:  

3423 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA.

Program Details: 

A pre-seed and seed program for startups with innovative ideas. Invests between $250k to $5M.

The program supports your business from ideation to success. It offers guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs and a co-working space. You also benefit from membership at the Atlanta Tech Village, and connections to investors.

Access a full suite of resources and templates to scale your startup. 

Admission Terms:

A scalable business idea that solves a problem.

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed.

3 Best Accelerators In Los Angeles

Mucker Capital

Address:

202 Bicknell Avenue. Santa Monica, California 90405, USA.

Program Details: 

Mucker Capital’s plan offers seed and series A funding for companies outside Silicon Valley. 

The one-year program caters to 20-25 startups and targets startups in the tech and internet software niche. 

It’s unique in that they do not have demo days. Instead, there’s full-scale business building from product scaling, networking with Mucker mentors and partners, and links to investors.

Admission Terms:

• Entrepreneurs with grit and ideas that are disruptive and scalable.
• Startups can participate remotely.

Admission Fee:

An 8-15% equity stake for an investment of $100k-$175k

Amplify.LA

Address:

1600 Main St. Los Angeles, California 90291, USA.

Program Details: 

Amplify.LA focuses on pre-seed startups in healthcare technology where they are often the first investor. They forge close ties with the founders in the process.

They provide complete hands-on mentorship from the first cheque to exit. That includes a go-to-market strategy, investor access, and networking events.

Admission Terms:

Passionate entrepreneurs in health tech.

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed

Cedars-Sinai Accelerators

Address:

 8601 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.

Program Details: 

Cedar-Sinai’s three-month program is suitable for tech startups in the healthcare industry. 

The mentorship-based program offers a $100K investment.

It involves over 300 healthcare executives who run workshops. 

Benefits: Demo Day, access to investors in healthcare and Cedars-Sinai, and networking opportunities with healthcare specialists.

Admission Terms:

Strong teams with the ability to execute ideas that have traction in the USA market. 

Admission Fee:

Free

3 Best Accelerators In Baltimore

Conscious Venture Lab

Address:

250 W Dickman St, Baltimore, MD 21230, USA.

Program Details: 

Conscious Venture Lab runs a four-month sector agnostic program for early stage startups in the city of Baltimore. 

The program focuses on community-conscious capitalism, client acquisition, and capital generation. It emphasizes product traction from real customers who validate your product and confirms your startup is investor-ready.

You benefit by accessing investor networks, scaling tools, and proven business models.

Admission Terms:

• Strong visionary teams. 
• A product with traction. 

Admission Fee:

No fees. 5-10% equity of your company in exchange for a $25K-$50K investment. Offers more funds if you attract capital on Demo Day. 

The BCAN Founder Fellowship

Address:

1200 West Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore, USA.

Program Details: 

BCAN gifts Baltimore with an inclusivity accelerator for creatives.

The 8-week program supports businesses in the creative industry by providing access to investors, mentorship, workshops, free professional services, and seed capital of $5K. 

Admission Terms:

• A startup in the creative niche.
• A business registered in the state of Maryland. 

Admission Fee:

Free.

Emerging Technology Center

Address:

101 N Haven St Suite #301, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Program Details: 

ETC runs a 13-week program for technology-focused startups. 

The Abell Foundation provides $50K seed funding for each program participant.  

Cohorts of 5 startups receive support to help them get to market quickly. 

The program has a collaborative community of startups, a co-working space, and access to mentors, potential co-founders, customers, and investors. 

Admission Terms:

Tech-focused startups with scalable ideas.

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed.

3 Best Accelerators In Chicago

TechStars Chicago Accelerator

Address:

 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, USA.

Program Details:  

The program is among the best startup accelerators in 2022 from Chicago. 

Powered by J.P. Morgan, the program promotes equitable distribution of funding resources to startups from all backgrounds. 

The three-month program provides mentorship from top tech experts in Chicago. Startups also enjoy access to the Techstars global network.

Besides, there’s investment funding of $120,000, Demo Day, workshops, office space, and perks valued at $1M.

Admission Terms:

• Startups with a committed team
• A high-impact idea showing market traction.

Admission Fee:

A 6% equity stake.

NAR REACH 

Address:

 430 Michigan Ave #9, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

Program Details: 

REACH is the go-to startup accelerator for real estate startups in Chicago. 

Reach accelerator program runs for three months and enables tech-enabled startups in real estate to scale rapidly. 

It includes seed funding, office space, event-based training, and 1:1 mentorship from industry experts. 

Moreover, there are networking opportunities with 100+ worldwide partnerships, 160+ technology firms, investors, and founders in real estate and related verticals. 

Admission Terms:

For startups in real estate. 

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed

mHUB 

Address:

965 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642, USA.

Program Details:  

The mHUB acceleration program is for startups dealing in HardTech. 

Besides funding opportunities, MHUB helps with the resources for developing and testing your prototype.

The 6-month accelerator program speeds up the process of innovation and commercialization of HardTech solutions. 

Benefits include access to a state-of-the-art prototyping lab in Chicago, sector-specialized mentors, and $100K in perks. 

Admission Terms:

Highly scalable startups with HardTech ideas in MedTech, EnergyTech, and IoT.

Admission Fee:

A 5-8% equity for a cash investment of $75K.

3 Best Accelerators In Dallas

Tech Wildcatters

Address:

211 N Ervay St., Dallas, TX

Program Details:  

One of the best remote startup accelerators in Texas. The program scales Seed to Series A tech-enabled startups.

A broad base of 150+ companies backs the program creating a valuable network for founders to gain mentorship and investor exposure.

Helps startups to find product market fit and pioneer users of their MVP. Further, they support beta product launches and sales generation. 

Admission Terms:

• A promising tech-enabled business.
• An MVP at the seed stage.  

Admission Fee:

10% equity stake for an investment of $100K.

Health Wildcatters

Address:

1910 Pacific Ave Suite 20000, Dallas, TX 75201, USA

Program Details: 

Health Wildcatters offers one of the best accelerator programs in healthcare in Texas. 

The 12-week program helps healthcare startups from launch to success. It runs from August to November. 

The 8 to 12 selected entrepreneurs receive an investment of $30K for an 8% stake. There’s an opportunity for a follow-up investment of up to $380k. 

Besides funding, the program offers mentorship from 200+ professionals and entrepreneurs in the healthcare industry. 

Admission Terms:

A startup in the healthcare niche.

Admission Fee:

8% equity for an initial investment of $30K.

Founder Institute Dallas

Address:

The Founder Institute runs the program virtually.

Program Details: 

The program supports pre-seed startups to grow into seed-stage investments.

Accelerates tech-focused businesses by connecting them to investors, mentors, and full-suite entrepreneurship training from ideation to scale.  

Admission Terms: 

• Pre-seed startups 
• A viable tech-enabled idea. 

Admission Fee:

• A fee of $699-$899 depending on when you register. The fee is refundable if you drop out before the third session. 
• A 2.5% pledge of equity to a collective pool. 

3 Best Accelerators In Denver

Techstars Boulder Accelerator 

Address:

1002 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA.

Program Details: 

Although the program is sector agnostic, there’s a preference for startups in fintech, Marketplaces, and Supply Chain.

The 13-week program targets pre-seed and seed-stage startups in the Mountain West.

Benefits include investment funding of $120,000, a mentorship-driven curriculum, and networking opportunities. 

Participants get access to office space, workshops with industry gurus, Demo Day, investor exposure, credits and perks valued at over $5M. 

There’s more: Lifetime access to the TechStars worldwide network of over 10,000 mentors, founders, and investors.

Admission Terms:

• Passionate founders.
• A prototype/MVP with market traction. 

Admission Fee:

6% equity share. 

Boomtown Accelerators

Address:

2060 Broadway Street, Suite B-1 Boulder, CO 80302, US.

Program Details: 

Boomtown presents an unconventional accelerator suitable for disruptive startups in the internet, media, ad-tech, and healthcare technology.

The bespoke 12-week accelerator program taps into external relationships and emerging technologies. They leverage external relationships to develop innovative solutions for early stage startups.

Participants then implement ready-to-use products customized for their company’s strategy. 

The program includes funding, working space, and access to business perks valued at over $1.7M.

Admission Terms:

At least two founders.

Admission Fee:

A 6% stake for $35-50k funding and signing of a stock purchase agreement.   

Founder Institute Denver 

Address:

The Founder Institute runs the program virtually.

Program Details:  

Targets pre-seed startups pursuing tech-enabled businesses to help them to move to the seed stage. 

Grows you through structured access to mentors, investors, founders, and a curriculum that covers everything from ideation to launch.

Admission Terms:

Have a commercially feasible idea at the pre-seed stage.

Admission Fee:

• A fee of $899.  The payment is refundable if you drop out before the third session. 
• A 2.5% pledge of equity to a collective pool. 

3 Best Accelerators In Phoenix

Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program

Address:

1802 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA.

Program Details: 

Get your early-stage startup in the bioscience field take with this program. 

The four-month program prepares healthcare businesses to scale and become investor-ready.

Participants receive a non-dilutive investment of $30k. 

Besides, there are networking opportunities with industry-specific investors, mentors, policy leaders, academicians, and industry-specific associates like the Arizona Bioindustry Association.

Admission Terms:

Businesses in biotech, healthcare, and pharma.

Admission Fee:

• No fee. 
• Non-dilutive funding of $30K.

BioAccel

Address:

4602 N 16th St Suite 303, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA.

Program Details: 

BioAccel is a top startup accelerator in Phoenix that strives to commercialize Life Science discoveries and technologies. 

This program provides funding and entrepreneur education for early stage startups in science-based projects within Arizona.

Catapults your startup by prototype development and linking you with facilities to test your products. 

Admission Terms:

• Strong startup teams. 
• Concepts that make scientific and commercial sense.

Admission Fee:

Free.  The New Venture Development Program sponsors the program.

Coplex

Address:

515 E Grant St, Phoenix. AZ, USA.

Program Details:  

A 6-12 month program for startups in the tech industry.

Coplex offers the program in three modules: Design and Validation, Invest and Launch, and Growth.

Coplex helps validate your startup idea for commercial feasibility, raise the capital to scale it and deliver an investor-ready business.

Admission Terms:

High-impact tech startups 

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed.

3 Best Accelerators In Raleigh

Bunker Labs

Address:

 3708 Adela Ct, Cary, NC 27519. USA

Program Details: 

Provides a curriculum and community for military veterans who want to get their business off the ground.

It runs for 12 months and doesn’t provide financing. The program exposes you to investors and potential customers by giving portfolio companies access to their partners.

Admission Terms:

Targets military veterans or their spouses. 

Admission Fee:

No fee. You cover your travel and accommodation costs. 

LaunchRALEIGH

Address:

Southeast Raleigh, North Carolina.

Program Details:  

LaunchRALEIGH is a program of the North Raleigh Rotary Club. It targets entrepreneurs and small business owners with limited access to resources.

The 10-week program helps connect startups to a rich resource base of entrepreneurs, financiers, and mentors in Raleigh.

Through the program, startups access capital and entrepreneurship training. 

Admission Terms:

You must live and work in Southeast Raleigh.

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed. 

Innovators Program

Address:

310 S Harrington St, Raleigh, NC, 27603. USA

Program Details: 

A 12-week program that assists passionate founders to transform their innovative ideas into successful businesses. 

Participating startups receive equity-free funding of $10k at the program start. 

When you successfully complete the program, there's a further $10k, equity-free funding, and access to top VCs in Raleigh and Silicon Valley. 

Admission Terms:

A team of technical co-founders. 

Admission Fee:

Free.

3 Best Accelerators In Seattle

Accelerator Life Science Partners

Address:

2815 Eastlake Avenue East Suite 300 Seattle WA, 98102, US.

Program Details: 

This program focuses on early stage startups in Life Sciences and Biotechnology. 

It offers world-class laboratories, scientific expertise, product launch support, management help, and investment financing. 

Admission Terms:

Early stage startups in biotechnology.

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed.

Founder Institute Seattle

Address:

The Founder Institute runs the program virtually.

Program Details: 

A superb program for pre-seed startups that aspire to advance to the seed stage. 

Best for all tech-related niches. 

As a founder, you get access to Seattle startup experts who provide structure to your business. They help accelerate your company from ideation to launch.

Admission Terms:

Caters to solo founders and co-founders.

Admission Fee:

• $799-$999 in the Seattle region depending on when you join. The fee is fully refundable if you drop out before the third session. 
• A 2.5% pledge of equity to a collective pool. 

Microsoft ScaleUp

Address:

320 Westlake Avenue North · Seattle, WA 98109, US

Program Details: 

The program is suited for Series A startups in tech and tech-enabled niches. 

The four-month program provides mentorship from Microsoft sales leaders and tech industry gurus. 

Benefits include access to a rich alumni network, Microsoft Events, and the Microsoft Partner Network. Startups can access up to $150K Azure credits. 

Admission Terms:

Series A startup with a scalable tech-enabled business idea.

Admission Fee:

No fees. 

3 Best Accelerators In Washington, D.C.

Union Kitchen

Address:

1369 New York Avenue, NE Washington, DC, USA.

Program Details: 

Union Kitchen is one of the best accelerators for food and beverage startups in Washington, DC.

The sixteen-week accelerator program comes in four stages: launch, product-market fit, growth, and scale. 

Each stage consists of personalized mentorship, group meetings, and online tutorials.

Highly effective in scaling food businesses with a 250% superior success rate.

Admission Terms:

A startup dealing in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed

1863 Ventures

Address:

1100 15th Street Northwest, 4th Fl, Washington, DC 20005, USA.

Program Details:  

Acceler8 is a three-week program for startups in the growth phase. 

It’s sector agnostic and caters to B2B and B2C startups. The program’s focal point is fundraising, marketing, bookkeeping, sales, product development, and operations. 

The program includes pre-residency workshops, one-on-one coaching, on-site group sessions, post-residency workshops, and virtual training sessions.

Admission Terms:

• A growing business with approximate annual revenues of $1M. 
• Market traction of 2+ years. 

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed.

CivStart

Address:

1809 A St SE # 2. Washington, DC 20003, USA.

Program Details: 

A 24-month accelerator for startups providing GovTech solutions. 

This program provides technical help in product development, and networking opportunities with experts, founders, mentors, and potential customers in government when preparing for government contracts. 

The curriculum is delivered online. However, the CivStart DemoDay & Innovation Summit takes place in Washington DC, and is compulsory for participants. 

Admission Terms:

• Inclusive teams that are dedicated.
• A prototype.

Admission Fee:

A fee of $10,000. May also ask for a revenue share. 

3 Best Accelerators In London

Founders Factory

Address:

Northcliffe House, Young St, London W8 5EH, UK.

Program Details:  

A six-month bespoke program covering the entire startup journey from launch to success. The accelerator is best suited for startups in the fintech, beauty, home, and enterprise niches.

Industry-specific accelerator programs make it highly impactful. 

Benefits: expert trainers and mentors, a rich network of industry partners, a global network, and a £30k cash investment.

Unfortunately, it’s only available in London. 

Admission Terms:

Two founders or more to participate.

Admission Fee:

Takes 3-7% equity based on your company’s valuation. 

Startupbootcamp

Address:

72-74 Dean Street. SohoWorks – Seedcamp. London. W1D 3SG.

Program Details: 

The three-month program is best for early stage startups in finance and insurance. 

You get a cash award of €15k and a further €450k in partner deals from top tech partners. 

Other program benefits include industry-specific deals, mentorship from industry experts, access to exclusive partnership programs, exposure to investors, Demo Day, and free office space.

Your startup can realize value if the accelerator offers portfolio companies access to industry-specific partners.

Admission Terms:

• Passionate founders.
• A highly-marketable product.

Admission Fee:

• No admission fee. 
• 6-8% equity based on the program. 

Wayra 

Address:

Tintagel House, 92 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TY, UK

Program Details: 

Scales startups with disruptive tech-focused innovation ideas. 

Rides on the back of global network Telefónica to provide startups access to blue chip corporates, a 350-million customer base, personalized mentors, office space, and capital. 

Invests up to £250,000 to fund participants.

Admission Terms:

• Disruptive innovation in the tech niche. 
• Proven market interest. 

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed

3 Best Accelerators In Berlin

Plug and Play 

Address:

Markgrafenstraße 12-14, 10969 Berlin, Germany

Program Details: 

12-week program targeting high-potential tech startups.

Plug and Play aims to accelerate promising startups from across the globe by linking them to blue chip corporates in highly scalable tech-based industries. 

By collaborating with blue chip corporates to scale your product, you benefit from their guidance, mentorship, feedback, and funding opportunities.

Plug and Play offers investments ranging from $50k-$250k with follow-up investments of up to $1M. 

Admission Terms:

• High potential startups in the tech niche.
• A startup from pre-seed stage to early stage.

Admission Fee:

Free. 

SOSV 

Address:

The program is available remotely.

Program Details: 

An excellent program for tech startups in multiple stages of development.

The program provides startup visibility platforms, workshops, and networking opportunities for founders.

SOSV has subsidiaries that target startups in various niches; IndieBio (Biotech), HAX (B2B, Healthcare, and Consumer), Orbit Startups (Breakthrough technologies), and dlab (decentralized technologies)

The accelerator programs run from three to six months and invest up to $500k at the pre-seed stage. In addition, you get lifetime support.  

Admission Terms:

• At least two co-founders with a scalable tech-enabled idea.
• Great for Asian-based companies.

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed

Startupbootcamp

Address:

rent24, Potsdamer straße 182, 10783, Berlin. Germany.

Program Details: 

A three-month program best for early stage startups in smart transport and energy.

Participants receive €15k and a further €450k in deals from top tech partners. 

Benefits include access to relevant industry tech tools, mentorship from industry experts, Demo Day, free working space, and exposure to investors and peers.

Admission Terms:

Passionate founders and a product with verifiable market interest. 

Admission Fee:

• Free admission.
• A 6-8% equity based on the program. 

3 Best Accelerators In Paris

Hook 

Address:

96 boulevard Bessières, Paris. France.

Program Details:  

Covers all industries and runs for three months, twice per year. 

You’ll receive €50k for a 5% equity stake in your company. There’s also mentorship, workshops, and a Demo Day presentation before 150+ investors and the press. 

Admission Terms:

Ambitious entrepreneur in any scalable field.

Admission Fee:

• Free. 
• A 5% equity for a  €50k investment. 

Founders Factory

Address:

86 Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth, 75002 Paris, France

Program Details:  

A bespoke accelerator program that runs for 6 months.

Suitable for startups in fintech, enterprise, and beauty niches. 

These are industry-specific programs that scale your business from launch to investor-ready status. 

Includes access to industry experts, 1:1 mentorship by influential partners, a global network of successful businesses, and a variable cash investment depending on the sector. 

Admission Terms:

At least two founders.

Admission Fee:

A 3-7% equity based on your current valuation. 

Starburst Ventures

Address:

130 Rue de Lourmel, F-75015 Paris, France

Program Details:  

The premier accelerator program in aerospace. 

The thirteen-week program helps startups at different stages to clarify their strategy, receive mentorship from aviation experts, rehearse their pitches, fundraise, and link with 50+ industry leaders in corporate and government.

Admission Terms:

Aerospace startups in aviation, defense, and space. 

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed 

3 Best Accelerators In Dublin

SOSV 

Address:

Claremont Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland.

Program Details: 

The Dublin chapter of SOSV rolls out a series of programs for tech startups in multiple development stages.

Common sectors the program covers include biotech, green energy, robotics, health care, food, mobility, and crypto. 

The 3-6 month program invests up to $500k for startups at the pre-seed stage.

Benefits include Demo Days, mentorship, startup exposure to investors and customers, networking forums with industry players, and workshops. 

Admission Terms:

• A scalable innovative tech startup idea.
• At least two co-founders. 

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed

Techstars

Address:

Google (Gordon House), Barrow Street, Dublin 4 Dublin, D04 E5W5.

Program Details: 

Launchpool Web3 Techstar Accelerator supports startups building blockchain technology. 

The 13-week program targets pre-seed and seed-stage startups. 

It includes an investment of $120,000, mentorship-driven interactions, and networking opportunities. 

You also get office space, masterclasses with industry experts, pitch practice sessions, Demo Day, investor exposure, credits and perks valued at over $5M. 

Lifetime access to the TechStars worldwide network of 10,000+ mentors, founders, and investors crowns it all.

Admission Terms:

An MVP with market traction. 

Admission Fee:

A 6% equity share. 

Propeller Venture Accelerator

Address:

DCU Ryan Academy, Citywest Business Park, Dublin, Ireland.

Program Details: 

True to its name, Propeller Venture Accelerator scales startups in the SaaS and cloud-based software front. 

The program provides hands-on support for early-stage companies as they are also involved in building software. 

They combine relevant tools, industry experts, investors, and mentors to develop a product-market fit and build winning products. 

Admission Terms:

• Visionary and technical founders.
• An MVP in tech-based businesses that offer solutions by building software.

Admission Fee:

Undisclosed.

3 Best Accelerators In Amsterdam

Startupbootcamp

Address:

B.Amsterdam - Johan Huizingalaan 763a, 1066 VH, Amsterdam. Netherlands.

Program Details: 

The program spurs innovation in the world of commerce by supporting startups with ideas that shape the future of commerce. 

The 3-month program provides dedicated mentorship, targeted guidance, masterclasses, Demo Days, and access to investors, and industry gurus globally.

You also get a working space in Amsterdam and €15K for program expenses.

Admission Terms:

B2B or B2C startups with a prototype in the commerce ecosystem. 

Admission Fee:

An 8% equity share. 

Techstars (by ABN AMRO)

Address:

Gustav Mahlerlaan 10, 1082 PP Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Program Details:  

Made for startups handling a mix of fintech, digital assets, and sustainability.

The 3-month program is mentorship based and offers networking opportunities and an investment of $120,000.

Benefits: co-working space, masterclasses and workshops with experts, pitch practice, and Demo Day. 

Above all, you can access the TechStars worldwide network of founders, mentors, and investors. 

Admission Terms:

Entrepreneurs in fintech.

Admission Fee:

A 6% equity stake

Rockstart Accelerator

Address:

Overhoeksplein 1, 1031 KS Amsterdam, Netherlands

Program Details: 

Rockstart offers a series of customized programs to help startups achieve investment-ready status. 

The 4-month program runs twice annually in February and August.

It includes intense workshops, coaching sessions, 1:1 mentorship, pitching, and access to exclusive corporate events, startup tools, and people to scale successfully. 

Then, a follow-up investment of up to € 2 million is available to program alumni. 

Admission Terms:

• Startups with a commercially viable prototype.
• Startups that have previously launched high-impact products can qualify without an MVP. 

Admission Fee:

A fee of €65k. Participating companies receive investment upfront in exchange for an unspecified simple agreement for future equity (SAFE). 

5 Tips On How To Pick The Best Accelerator For You

Accelerators and startup incubators are now in abundance, making it tricky to decide which one is the best fit for you.  

Identifying the most appropriate startup support partner, even with the benefit of a reputable list such as MIT's Seed Accelerator Benchmark, can seem like a bit of a minefield. There are just so many of them.

With that in mind, let's break down a few cheats to identify the best accelerator for your startup, specifically. 

1. Relevance To Your Business Needs

Without stating the obvious, an accelerator must meet with your vision and business requirements. 

Ideally, they should holistically support your journey from product-market fit to investor connections.

You need to ask yourself what you are hoping to get out of this the most. Mentorship, industry best practices, networking opportunities, or prototype validation, are some of the key requirements most founders consider elemental. You need to figure out which accelerator best fits your needs, through those traits.

If you’re seeking funding, what stage are you at? This is also a key factor, with each accelerator offering various levels of support at various stages of the funding rounds.

For example, if your startup requires pre-seed support, then you’ll want an accelerator who understands the funding and mentorship needs of a pre-seed startup.

2. Level Of Specialization In Your Niche

Working with an accelerator who specializes in your niche can be a game changer, as industry insiders come with practical tips and hands-on mentorship. You will basically introduce instant experience into your startup through teaming with an accelerator who is familiar with success in your genre or niche. 

In addition to providing funding, they’re more valuable as they offer practical advice that springs from a better appreciation of the market and industry trends.

Finally, sector-focused accelerators provide access to the right tools for your business, relevant experience, and explicit links to the industry ecosystem. 

3. Track Record Of The Accelerator

A safe bet would be choosing an accelerator with demonstrable, proven past performance.

A proven track record might mean that the accelerator enjoys links with valuable mentors, who succeeded at propelling startups to scale their businesses and access funding.

Most accelerators who rank highly on MIT's Seed Accelerator Benchmark have a record of outstanding performance.  

Apart from financial statistics, you may contact founders who participated in the program and review their experience and also examine the exit rate of a program to gauge its impact on startups.

4. Location 

An accelerator based in your locality is more likely to understand your business environment. Also, you benefit from one-on-one mentorship while avoiding the hassle and cost of travel to the program’s location. 

Proximity to an accelerator helps you fully exploit the program’s resources and facilities from in-person mentorship, and prototyping lab services, to co-working spaces.

It is also convenient to participate in follow-up and networking initiatives outside of the program, or even after the program has ended.

5. Scope of available opportunities

When choosing an accelerator, you want one that will help you realize the highest potential for your startup. 

An effective accelerator program stimulates your leadership and technical skills by exposing you to the best possible mentorship opportunities. You are better prepared to quickly scale your business after you’ve been through such an accelerator program.

FAQ

What Are The Pros And Cons of Joining A Startup Accelerator?

Pros of a startup accelerator:

• Mentorship by experienced entrepreneurs and corporate partners.
• Easier access to funding. 
• You can benchmark against other businesses in their early lifecycle.
• Exposure to new clients for your future business.
• Constructive feedback from experienced mentors.
• Networking opportunities across your industry. 

Cons of joining a startup accelerator:

• Getting into the wrong accelerator program will hinder your progression.  
• You may have to give away a 5% to 10% stake to accelerators for their services.
• Business interference as you may have to relocate to participate in some programs. 
• Diminished support after you graduate from the program.
• The programs are short (3-6 months) then you are on your own.

Do I Need To Pay An Admission Fee To Join An Accelerator Program?

Many accelerators will ask for a share of your company in exchange for participating in their accelerator programs. 

Some will ask for a small admission fee to join the program. 

However, there are free accelerator programs - mostly beneficiaries of corporate sponsorship or state grants.

How Do I Get Into An Accelerator?

Getting into accelerator programs can be highly competitive, especially for top startup accelerators. The chances of securing a spot among the cohorts of top accelerators like Y Combinator, Techstars, or 500 Startups ranges from 1-3%. 

But don't be discouraged. Many of the applicants simply didn't meet the required standards. You’ll need to go through a selection process with other participants to determine if you are suitable for inclusion. 

The process is, however, quite straightforward. Commencing with the application process, followed by the shortlisting of applicants, one-on-one interviews, and concluding with the finalists’ selection.

How Do I Prepare For An Interview With An Accelerator? 

1. Complete your application thoroughly

This is your opportunity to make your best first impression. Ensure you answer each question in complete detail. Be clear and concise in your responses. Be engaging if you can - a dour application won't help, so feel free to introduce a little energy.

2. Assemble your startup team

Many accelerator programs require that two or more founders be present for admission to their programs, meaning that solopreneurs are ineligible.

In assembling a team, be keen to collaborate with co-founders with relevant technical expertise, managerial skills, and prior experience in structuring startups or engaging in equity negotiations. 

Spell out the roles of each startup team member to the accelerator team and build relationships within your teams.

3. Set up your startup portfolio

Write a clear vision and mission, and include the company profile. 

Design a sleek website and have a presence on startup sites like Crunchbase and Gust. 

4. Come up with a prototype or MVP (Minimum viable product)

A prototype helps to test the market viability of your business idea. 

With an MVP, you can point out design flaws that need fixing and estimate manufacturing costs. For your prototype, thrash out product basics and incorporate improvements on the go as you interact with the market. 

5. Be memorable during the in-person interviews with an impactful presentation

Plan by anticipating and answering common questions the panel is likely to ask;

• What problem is your product solving?
• What’s the profile of your co-founder team? 
• What are the specifications of your prototype? 
• What do you intend to achieve in the long run?

Keep your presentation simple but energetic, research the accelerator with as many details as possible, and just generally aim to impress. Be confident. Smile. All the usual tactics you would employ in a job interview, basically. 

What Is The Difference Between An Incubator And An Accelerator?

Accelerators and startup incubators are both similar, but there are differences between the two.

An incubator helps entrepreneurs flash out business ideas while accelerators expedite the growth of existing companies with a minimum viable product (MVP).

As an entrepreneur, you will start with an incubator to refine your business idea, then move to an accelerator program once you have a prototype or MVP with initial market traction.

Why You Should Apply With An Accelerator

You should consider joining an accelerator program if you have a prototype or an MVP and need funding and a go-to-market strategy. Accelerators offer guidance, advice, and connections to investors and mentors to help lift your business off the ground and accelerate its growth. 

How Much Money Do Accelerators Make?

Accelerators make their money by taking a slice of your company in exchange for mentorship, training, and investor connection. Most top startup accelerators will provide funding to your business and ask for a 5-10% share in your startup so of course, the figure varies. It could be hundreds of millions, in some cases.

Conclusion

Accelerator programs propel startups into successful companies by injecting experience into the fold, and hopefully, in some cases, bringing huge success forward by several years. Of course there are no guarantees but if you are accepted into the program, they obviously see potential - and it's very possible they can help.

Selecting the best startup accelerator startups to work with depends on your business needs and where you are in the lifecycle of your startup so make sure to research, be diligent, and find the best fit for you.