Dreamit is the only growth accelerator designed for mature startups… We put our companies in front of customers, key strategic partners to drive pilot programs and distribution before we match them with larger venture funds and investor groups to follow-on funding.
Startup Accelerator Spotlight: Dreamit
Avi Savar
Location: NYC and Philadelphia
Website: www.Dreamit.com
CEO and Managing Partner: Avi Savar
Partner and Chief Marketing Officer: Seth Berk
This article is part of our Startup Accelerator Spotlight Series featuring accelerators from around the world. We hope these spotlights will assist the entrepreneur should they consider attending an accelerator program.
In two sentences or less, tell us about your accelerator and its objectives.
We focus on post-seed Digital Health and EdTech startups and help them scale towards their A Round with access to Customers, Capital & Community. Globally recognized and listed as a Top 10 US Accelerator by Forbes & SeedRank, the Dreamit portfolio includes 250+ companies with $1.5B in enterprise value.
Why is your accelerator program unique? Please describe the benefits of participation in your program.
Dreamit is the only growth accelerator designed for mature startups. Post-seed companies with product market fit, some revenue, or early traction are left with limited funding options and resources to scale before qualifying for today’s “super-sized” A rounds. We put our companies in front of customers, key strategic partners to drive pilot programs and distribution before we match them with larger venture funds and investor groups to follow-on funding.
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What is the most difficult part of working with startups?
That no two are ever exactly alike and what works for one, might not work for another.
What do you enjoy the most; what do you find appealing about working with entrepreneurial startups?
Working with entrepreneurs and being on the cutting edge of innovation are what get us out of bed each morning!
Tell us about your success stories. Which are the most interesting companies to have participated in your program?
BioBots, SeatGeek, Biomeme, Adaptly and Meerkat (now Houseparty)
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What are the three most important factors startup entrepreneurs should consider when contemplating attending an accelerator?
- Stage of Growth
- Industry Focus
- Access to Customers/Funding
What else would you like to share?
Read the TechCrunch article describing how Dreamit has ditched the Demo Day and now takes entrepreneurs on roadshows to meet with just the funds that have an interest in what they are doing and “customer immersion” roadshows to present to executives within organizations who are interested in possibly using their products and services, acquiring them down the line, or partnering with the startups for pilot testing, clinical studies and more.
The Dreamit accelerator program offers:
- 3-week, multi-city Customer Immersions designed to help jumpstart your sales pipeline through in-depth customer meetings with key strategic partners and customers you can reference in fundraising documents and marketing manuals.
- Access to some of the world’s most active angels and VCs during our 2 week, East and West Coast, Investor Roadshow as well as one-on-one introductions from our vast network of early stage investors.
- Introductions to top industry leaders and other experts to build out your Advisory Board and mentor network, in addition to VC office hours throughout the program.
How to Create an Advisory Board - Coaching & insight via weekly office hours with our Managing Directors.
- Weekly webinars and panel discussions with industry leaders around the topics that matter most for early-stage companies.
Our next cohort will begin in early 2017 and applications open 3 months in advance of kickoff. Although most companies will choose not to relocate, startups accepted into the Dreamit program are expected to travel with Dreamit for 5 out of the 14 weeks of the program for Customer Immersions and our bi-coastal Investor roadshow. We also offer limited free or discounted office space at our innovation Hub in Philadelphia.
Are you familiar with other accelerators you believe should be spotlighted? If so, we would like to hear from you. Tell us about them, sharing your comments below!
Pam Goforth
Pam Goforth is Research Manager for FundingSage, which provides valuable information, tools and resources to entrepreneurs seeking to start, grow and fund a business.
