Accelerators, also known as seed accelerators, are organizations which support seed and early-stage startups through a formal, defined mentoring program from experts with experience across the startup spectrum. Typically organized as a cohort program lasting twelve to sixteen weeks, the programs end in a public pitch event or demo day presentation to investors.
Background Information
Accelerators provide defined cohort programs, for entrepreneurs and startups. The programs typically last 12 to 16 weeks, although the duration may vary. They generally occur on-site at locations provided by the accelerator. Most include continuing mentorship during the course of the program led by multiple experienced mentors who have been trained for this purpose.
Most accelerators require attendees to be on-site and a few require the attendees to relocate their companies to the region in order to be accepted into the program. Most require a full-time effort by the entrepreneurial teams as opposed to the individual entrepreneur.
Accelerators are designed to address all the key issues from identification of the idea or concept, to building a prototype, conducting market surveys/tests/validating the market, building teams, creating and documenting the company infrastructure and ultimately obtaining third-party financing.
Other resources may include:
- Startup stipends which could range from $10K – $100K
- Office space during the program
- Special events and/or dinners with guest speakers
- Entertainment events
- Specified professional services from accounting, legal, marketing and other professionals are provided to participants free of charge by some accelerators and their professional partners
- Free access for defined periods to select web-hosting, software and SAAS tools supporting the development, growth, and operations of the startup
- Occasional housing for the cohort participants (but this is usually the exception)
- Post Demo-day mentoring
The culminating event is usually a Demo-day in which the entrepreneurs pitch their companies to the public and investors such as angel and VC groups. The value of the process for the entrepreneur includes a network of connections, the experience of participating in the cohort with peer companies, and recognition for having been chosen and participated in the program.
It is not typical for entrepreneurs or startups to be charged fees for these programs. Instead, the accelerators typically require equity in the startup, ranging from 6% – 10% depending on the accelerator.
Resources
Accelerator Assembly
A European based industry-led network that connects accelerators, entrepreneurs and policymakers to strengthen the support afforded to internet-based startups on the continent.
Business Innovation & Incubation Australia
Business Innovation & Incubation Australia, (BIIA) is an association of Australian business incubators which sets the practice standards for the incubator industry in Australia.
Canadian Association of Business Incubation
The Canadian Association of Business Incubation, (CABI) is a Canadian association dedicated to supporting the growth of new and early-stage businesses in Canada. Their mission is “to advance the success of business incubators and accelerators across Canada while enhancing the knowledge and skills of incubator and accelerator professionals and promoting a better understanding of business incubation/ acceleration’s role in economic development.”
National Business Incubation Association
The National Business Incubation Association, (NBIA) was established to advance business incubation and entrepreneurship in the United States. It is a provider of information, education, advocacy, and networking resources to its members and partners to bring excellence to the process of assisting early stage companies.
Accelerator Listing
Many of these accelerators are spotlighted on our FundingSage Startup Accelerator Spotlight. Learn more about your favorite accelerator there!
01 Booster
406 Labs
500 Startups
757 Accelerate
Acceleration Business City
Accelerator of Merck KGaA
AccelNow
AeroInnovate
AlphaLab
AltCity Bootcamp
Ampersand-et
autoxlr8r
Betaspring
Better Ventures
Bisite Accelerator
Bizdom Cleveland
Bizdom Detroit
Blue Ridge Labs @ Robin Hood
Blueprint Health
Boomtown Accelerator
BR Intelligence Innovation Accelerator (BRIIA)
Canopy
Capital Factory
Capital Innovators
Cherokee McDonough Challenge
China Accelerator
Co Lab Gig Tank
Coolhouse Labs
Creww Japan Accelerator
DAI Accelerator
Dcode
Desai Accelerator
DFS Lab
Elevator Programme
Eleven
Engage Ventures
Entrepreneurs Roundtable
Excelerate Labs
Explorer Accelerator
Exponential Impact
F10 Fintech Incubator & Accelerator
FHI Ventures
Fintech Innovation Lab
Flat 6 Labs
FlashStarts
Generation
Groundwork Labs
H-Camp
H-Farm
HackMind
Healthbox
Hillman Accelerator
Ice Lab Accelerator
Idea Boost
IDEA – Northeastern University Accelerator
Imagine K12
Impact Engine
imec.istart
India Accelerator
Iowa Agritech Accelerator
Jumpstart foundry
Knoxville Entrepreneur Center
Launch Alaska
LaunchPad LA
Lightning Lab
Microsoft Accelerator
Nex Cubed
Next Media Accelerator
NEST’up
NMotion
Northeast Indiana Innovation Center
NXTP Labs
NYC Seedstart
Oxygen
PlayLabs @ MIT
Portland Incubator Experiment
Portland Seed Fund
R/GA Ventures
RetailXelerator
RevTech Labs
Rock Health
Scratchpad Accelerator
Seed Fuel – Rowad
Seed Hatchery
SEKLAB
Sevna Startups
Sparkgap
Spark Labs
Spark labs Cultiv8
Speed@BDD
Start Co.
Startfast Accelerator
Start It @ KBC
StartPlatz Accelerator
Startup Bootcamp
Startup Health
Startup Reykjavik
Startup Yard
Start Zone
Sting Accelerate
Straight Shot
StichCrew
Summer Institute
Surge Accelerator
Tech Ranch
Tech Wildcatters
TechStars
Ten Habitat
Ten50
The ARK Challenge
The Biz Foundry
The Brandery
The Edge
The Factory
The Idea Village
The Seeds Lab
The Startup Factory
Thrive AgTech
UpRamp
UTEC Ventures
Valley Venture Mentors Startup Accelerator
Velocity
Vocus Upstart – Offbaorded
We Sprint
xEdu
Y Combinator
