Programs for startup accelerators are primarily focused on early-stage and seed-stage startups. These programs are for early-stage startups and seed investors.
We have researched the top startup accelerators across a range of industries, stages, and goals.
Once you have decided that a startup accelerator program would be the right move for your company, the next step is to identify the most suitable accelerator for your stage, industry, and entrepreneurial goals.
1. Y Combinator
About
Investments: 4,377
Exits: 425
Y Combinator is a well-known startup accelerator program. It boasts many impressive success stories including DoorDash and Coinbase, to name a few. Each company receives $120,000 annually in funding. The startups accelerated through Y Combinator have a total value of over $100 billion.
Ideal for:
- High-growth startups
- Tech startups
- Start-ups in the seed stage
Pros
- For eligible startups, unrivalled resources and opportunities
- Increased brand exposure and association funding can lead to more growth and funding opportunities
- There are over 1,800 investments.
Cons
- Competition in application process
2. Techstars
About
Investments: 3,569
Exits: 363
Techstars is for startups looking to do more than get funding. This accelerator offers members mentorship and capital. Techstars hosts Startup Week, and Startup Weekend. These events are great for startups looking to quickly accelerate their businesses.
Ideal for:
- Tech startups
- High-growth startups
- First-time entrepreneurs
Pros
- There are many options available for founders who want to accelerate their startup. These include short-term workshops.
- You have access to other entrepreneurs and founders of startups
- A substantial number of startups that have been successful have taken part in the program.
Cons
- Tech startups in particular
3. 500 Startups
About
Investments: 2,775
Exits: 327
500 Startups is a venture capital firm that specializes in seed- and early-stage startup acceleration. They offer a variety of funding options. Credit Karma and Udemy are two of their success stories. Udemy is an accelerator that funds startups in 60 countries around the world.
Ideal for:
- Startups in the early or seed stage
- High-growth startups
- Tech startups
Pros
- 500 Startups provides large and micro-finances.
- Services offered in 60 countries and counting
- Experience in scaling highly successful startups
Cons
- Startups receive less than 700 investments
4. Plug & Play
About
Investments: 1,383
Exits:133
Plug & Play is an accelerator for startups. Plug and Play accepts 12 week-long programs that foster innovation and connect tech startups to blue-chip companies. Plug and Play was founded in 2006 and has since raised more than $9 billion for its portfolio companies. It also boasts over 300 VC investor members.
Best for
- Tech startups
- High-growth startups
Pros
- This is a great way to connect with blue-chip corporate partners
- A helpful and responsive team
- Startups at all stages of development can be accommodated
Cons
- Only for tech-oriented startups
5. Google for Startups Accelerator
About
Investments: 97
Exits: 3
Google for Startups Accelerator a global program that consists of 10-15 startups working together to achieve their entrepreneurial goals. This accelerator provides mentors for each startup and tailors the experience to each one.
Ideal for:
- Technical founders
- Startups that are growth-oriented
- Start-ups that have scalable products
Pros
- All-inclusive programs available around the globe
- You have access to many valuable services
- Equity-free
Cons
- Competitive with a limited number of spots in each program
6. Alchemist Accelerator
About
Number Of Investments: 566
45 Exits
Alchemist accelerator supports enterprise startups. These startups sell their products to businesses rather than individuals. Any startup that adopts the enterprise model is eligible to apply. Alchemist Accelerator offers opportunities to network and connect with mentors and founders who are enterprise-focused, and also provides customers with a structured pathway to funding and customer traction.
Best for
- Start-ups for Enterprise
- Startups in the early stages
Pros:
- Accepted startups receive a small, founder-friendly cash injection, usually around $25,000
- After the completion of the program, 52% of startups have been funded
- Funding totaling more than $1.2 billion
Cons:
- Accepts no consumer startups
7. Dreamit Ventures
About
Investments: 382
Number Of Exits: 43
Dreamit Ventures, a venture fund based in New York, focuses on startups with a pilot or revenue that is ready to scale. They offer a variety of investments in the securetech and healthtech sectors. Dreamit Ventures provides a range of resources to its portfolio companies, including customer acquisition assistance and pilot programs. Since 2008, it has a portfolio of more than 350 startups, including Allevi and Eko.
Best for
- Startups in healthcare tech
- Security tech startups
- Start-ups that have products on the market
Pros
- We have a lot of experience in helping companies to scale up their product lines.
- When starting, companies do not need to be located with Dreamit.
- Instead of long 14-week programs, this 10-week program offers extensive virtual programs.
Cons
- To be accepted, companies must have a product or revenue that has been proven.
8. Founders Factory
About
Number Of Investments: 114
10 Exits
Founders Factory provides everything a startup founder requires to launch, manage and grow their company. This accelerator program provides a six-month program that builds companies and offers PS30k cash to eligible startups.
Ideal for:
- Beauty startups
- Fintech startups
- Retail startups
Pros
- Access to corporate partners who are impactful
- Programs for accelerators specific to industry
- All stages of the startup process, from product development to growth, are covered by our services
Cons
- Only in London
9. MassChallenge
About
Investments : 3,049
Exits: 153
MassChallenge was named after the purpose of the organization, which is to find solutions to massive problems by using the power of innovative startups. MassChallenge has nine accelerator programs worldwide, offering support for startups in Fintech and Healthtech.
Ideal for:
- Healthtech startups
- Fintech startups
- Sustainable startups
Pros
- An international network of nine accelerator programs
- Nearly 3,000 startups have been accelerated by our experience
- More than $3 billion was generated
Cons
- Startups that are industry-specific
10. Startupbootcamp
About
Investments: 540
Exits: 34
Startupbootcamp provides both scale and accelerator programs to help startups at all stages. Startups around the globe can access industry-specific programs that are offered worldwide.
Ideal for:
- Fintech startups
- Startups in renewable energy
- Tech startups
Pros
- There are more than 20 accelerator programs that focus on specific industries
- Access to mentors and investors
- Nearly 1000 startups were accelerated
Cons
- Some programs are only available in specific countries.
11. AngelPad
About
Investments: 180
Number Of Exits: 37
The No. AngelPad has been ranked the No. 1 accelerator by MIT’s Seed Accelerator Benchmark, since 2015. This accelerator is seed-stage and is located in New York City and San Francisco.
Ideal for:
- High-growth startups
- Tech startups
Pros
- This accelerator gives members access to amazing funding opportunities
- Participating companies have a history of high valuations
- Get valuable mentorship opportunities
Cons
- Startups strictly funded by venture capital
12. Amplify.LA
About
Investments: 150
Exits: 20
Amplify.LA based in Los Angeles, focuses on seed startups. They are able to support startups from the moment they receive their check until the time they leave. It is possible to create a closer relationship with startups through the accelerator, which helps them to be more like a family than a financial investment.
Best for
- Pre-seed startups
- Healthcare startups
Pros
- Offers complete mentorship
- Investors are often the first to invest in a company.
- Establishes close relationships with their investors
Cons
- You don’t have as much capital as other accelerators
13. Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator
About
Number Of Investments: 316
Exits: 31
Entrepreneurs roundtable is considered one of New York City’s most prominent tech accelerators. They have been investing in startups since 2010. Their investment focus is broad, ranging from fintech and healthtech to retail and enterprise-level software. ERA has assisted over 280 startups including Appboy and Canary (acquired via Tinder).
Best for
- Startups in the early stages
- Tech startups
Pros
- New York’s most prestigious accelerator program
- Over 500 mentors, some from the biggest companies
- Over $1 billion has been raised by investors through alumni companies
Cons
- Competition in application process
14. SOSV
About
Investments: 2,314
Exits: 57
The SOSV has a lot of experience investing in multistage startups. They even have enough capital to invest in 150 companies each year. The fund has more than 1,000 companies in its portfolio. They have over 1000 mentors around the world and manage approximately $1 billion of assets.
Best for
- Startups in the early stages
- Innovative tech startups
- Asia-based startups
Pros
- Continues to grow, with a 40% increase of portfolio companies and asset-management funds since 2020
- Offers a vast network of mentors around the world
- China’s first-ever accelerator
Cons
- Portfolio includes many companies
15. The Company Lab (CO.LAB).
About
Number Of Investments: 27
Exits: 10
CO.LAB provides two 12-week accelerator programs to high-growth startups that are looking to scale quickly. These accelerator programs focus on consumer goods startups as well as business application startups.
Best for
- Start-ups in consumer goods
- Internet startup companies
- Healthtech startups
Pros
- Partnered up with many impactful companies
- Throughout the accelerator process, housing is free
- After the completion of the program, access to capital
Cons
- Growth and industry are key factors in determining eligibility
16. Union Kitchen
About
Investments: 100
Exits: 3
Union Kitchen provides an accelerator program specifically for food and beverage startups. It helps these companies bring new products on the market while also providing tools to build a sustainable business model. There are four stages to the program: launch, product fit, growth and scale.
Ideal for:
- Food startups
- Start-ups in beverage
- Product developers
Pros
- Services are available to members from launch through scale
- Faster product development
- 250% greater success rate than food startups who are not members of the accelerator
Cons
- Industry-specific
17. Newchip Accelerator
About
Investments: 398
Exits: 3
Newchip Accelerator was founded in 2006 and is located in Austin, Texas. The program offers an online accelerator that assists entrepreneurs in business development, customer acquisition and fundraising. The Newchip curriculum consists of three main categories: startup basics, business growth and financing your company.
Best for
- Tech startups
- Automated startup
Pros
- Clear and well-communicated application process
- Accelerator program that is 100% equity-free
- Remote program
Cons
- No in-person experience
18. Boomtown Accelerators
About
Number Of Investments: 174
Exits: 7
Boomtown Accelerators is not your average accelerator. They are based in Boulder, Colorado. They foster partnerships externally by creating and implementing customized turnkey programs aligned with a business’s strategic plan. Instead of encouraging innovation within your company, they promote it internally.
Best for
- Disruptive startups
- Startups are open to external innovation
Pros
- A portfolio worth $1.4 billion
- Complement a company’s strategies by opening it to outside ideas
- Exposure to disruptive thinking can lead to long-term success
Cons
- For most companies, it can seem counterintuitive
19. Capital Factory
About
Number Of Investments: 179
Exits: 23
Capital Factory was founded in Austin, Texas. It invests in multistage startups and aims to create a wider network of opportunities. Over 900 events have been hosted by them, and they offer a coworking space for entrepreneurs of 81,000 square feet. To help their startups achieve their full potential, they have gathered 150 top tech mentors from Texas.
Best for
- Tech startups
- Entrepreneurs looking for mentorship
Pros
- Co-working space of more than 81,000 square feet
- Hosting hundreds of tech-focused events
- More than 150 mentors from Texas are highly qualified
Cons
- Texas-based businesses are specifically eligible
20. Lair East Labs
About
Investments: 31
Exits:1
Lair Eastern Labs is located in New York. It has been named one of the 100 top accelerators by Crunchbase. They are looking to disrupt the global market by focusing on startups with an international mindset. Their startups receive a $150,000 investment for their start-up.
Best for
- International network for startups
- Tech startups
Pros
- They establish long-term relationships and trust with their startups
- A global network of contacts
- For every investment, custom tailor investors, mentors and partners are available
Cons
- Only international potential should be given a strong focus
Jeff Beckley is a business expert, journalist, book author, and founder of the website Best Inc Services. Jeff can be reached at, info@bestincservices.com
