20 Best Startup Accelerators

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.

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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