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The Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at UT Dallas (UTD) supports founders through a variety of entrepreneurial programs, including two dedicated startup accelerators. Established in 2006 and operating in partnership with the University of Texas at Dallas, the Institute serves as a launchpad for innovators across the region.The Institute offers two accelerator tracks:CometX Accelerator – Open to UT Dallas students, faculty, and alumni, providing guidance, mentorship, and structured support to turn ideas into market-ready ventures.GalXc Accelerator – Designed specifically for women founders, offering targeted resources and a supportive community to help female-led startups grow and scale.Through workshops, mentorship, networking opportunities, and university-backed resources, the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at UTD equips founders with the tools they need to build strong, sustainable companies.

Tech Wildcatters is one of Texas’s most recognized and established startup accelerators, based in Dallas and focused on early-stage tech companies. Since its launch in 2009, the accelerator has invested in over 100 startups and achieved 13 successful exits, making it a prominent force in the regional innovation ecosystem.Tech Wildcatters backs founders building cutting-edge technologies and provides them with mentorship, investor access, and structured support to help them scale. Its portfolio features notable companies such as Modern, Device Magic, and Koupon.With deep experience and a strong track record, Tech Wildcatters continues to help high-potential tech startups gain traction and grow into market-shaping businesses.

DFW Excellerator is a Dallas-based accelerator focused on supporting high-growth startups in consumer products, retail technology, and sports management. The program helps founders refine their strategy, accelerate customer traction, and navigate early-stage challenges with targeted mentorship and industry-specific resources.Founded in 2014, DFW Excellerator has backed a range of successful companies, including Foundry Club, Nitero, and Phoenix Green Food. The accelerator connects startups with a strong network of partners, advisors, and investors—giving founders the support they need to scale confidently and sustainably.

Engage is an accelerator designed for B2B enterprise startups, connecting founders with Fortune 500 corporations, research universities, and industry experts to help scale world-changing technologies. The program focuses on six strategic themes: customer experience, supply chain and manufacturing, future of work, big data/analytics/security, logistics and mobility, and climate tech/sustainability.Engage runs two cohorts per year, each featuring 6–8 startups ranging from seed to Series B. Participants receive hands-on guidance from corporate executives and subject-matter experts to identify emerging trends, refine strategy, and form high-value commercial partnerships.Startups also receive $250,000 in funding through Tech Square Ventures, which manages the Engage investment fund. With a strong focus on enterprise innovation, Engage helps founders accelerate adoption, strengthen go-to-market execution, and scale within complex corporate ecosystems.

Entrepreneur Organization (EO) Atlanta is designed for revenue-generating startups ready to scale past the $1 million mark. EO supports founders throughout the entire business lifecycle, and its accelerator program specifically focuses on helping first-stage companies build sustainable models and achieve rapid growth.Participants gain access to seasoned advisors, hands-on mentorship, and a broad range of educational opportunities that strengthen leadership, operations, sales, and strategy. The accelerator is open to startups with annual gross revenue between $250,000 and $1 million, ensuring that participating companies are already gaining traction and poised for expansion.The program costs $1,750 per participant and does not include direct funding, but it provides deep guidance, accountability, and a powerful entrepreneurial community to help founders break through their next growth milestone.

Founder Institute Atlanta is a pre-seed accelerator designed to help founders take their ideas from concept to a scalable startup. Part of the global Founder Institute network, the Atlanta chapter guides entrepreneurs through a structured pathway—from early ideation all the way to fundraising and growth.The journey begins with the FI Core Program, where founders validate their ideas, refine their business models, and receive hands-on mentorship. Graduates can then join the Founder Lab, which focuses on achieving product–market fit and preparing for funding. The program includes access to a vast network of 3,500+ mentors and investors, along with valuable discounts on essential tools and services.Alumni also gain entry to the FI Venture Network, which provides demo days and connections to angels, accelerators, and micro-funds investing in early-stage companies.Across its global footprint, the Founder Institute has helped its cohort companies raise more than $1.75 billion—and the Atlanta chapter offers founders a local, supportive community to take their startup from idea to investable reality.

Atlanta Tech Park is an accelerator and innovation hub designed for tech and IT-focused startups, led by a team with more than 30 years of industry experience. The program emphasizes business fundamentals and provides customized support for each founder, including personalized introductions, pitch reviews, and strategic guidance tailored to the needs of each startup.A standout feature of Atlanta Tech Park is its 43,000-square-foot facility, offering coworking space, meeting rooms, event areas, and a collaborative environment where founders can work and connect with other innovators.While the accelerator does not provide direct funding, it offers access to investors, mentors, and a wide professional network—giving early-stage tech companies the resources and connections needed to grow and scale effectively.

The Emory Goizueta Startup Launch Accelerator is an eight-week program designed to help early-stage founders become investment-ready. Offered through Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, the accelerator provides structured training in business model validation, customer acquisition, problem discovery, and other core fundamentals needed to build a scalable startup.To participate, at least one founder must be an Emory student, alumnus, or faculty member. Throughout the program, teams receive guidance from experienced mentors and refine their strategy in preparation for growth.The accelerator culminates in a demo day, where founders pitch their startups to the Emory and Atlanta entrepreneurial community, gaining visibility and potential investor interest.

The Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) is Georgia’s leading technology incubator, supporting tech and science-based startups across the state. Backed by Georgia Tech, ATDC delivers a powerful combination of coaching, curriculum, community, and connections—helping founders access critical resources like capital, customers, and talent.With six locations across Georgia, ATDC has supported over 150 startups, providing opportunities for collaboration, investor introductions, and direct engagement with industry partners. The incubator’s structured programs and statewide network make it one of the most influential launchpads for technology-driven ventures in Georgia.ATDC equips startups with the expertise and relationships they need to accelerate development, strengthen strategy, and scale with confidence.

Atlanta Tech Village is a membership-based startup hub that supports founders at every stage through accelerators, community programs, and hands-on learning experiences. As one of the largest tech communities in the Southeast, it offers multiple programs—including Women + Tech, a Pre-Accelerator, Startup Summer School, and Atlanta Startup Village—each designed to help entrepreneurs build skills, gain traction, and grow their companies.Members of Atlanta Tech Village receive access to mentorship and advisory support, collaborative office space, workshops, networking events, and significant discounts on essential tools and services. The ecosystem is designed to connect founders with peers, experts, and opportunities that accelerate progress.The Village has supported over 300 startups, with its community collectively raising more than $3.2 billion in funding. It remains one of the most influential and inclusive environments for startup growth in Atlanta.

Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech is a global accelerator dedicated to identifying, funding, and scaling the most innovative startups shaping the future of sports. Focused on breakthrough technologies that transform how fans experience sports and how athletes, teams, and organizations operate, the program supports founders driving next-generation sports innovation.A major advantage of the accelerator is the unmatched industry access it provides. Participating startups collaborate directly with influential leaders and decision-makers across Comcast NBCUniversal’s extensive network. Partners include major sports brands such as NBC Sports, Sky Sports, Comcast Spectacor, and Golf, as well as top organizations like NASCAR, WWE, PGA TOUR, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, USA Swimming, and USA Cycling.Through hands-on support, deep industry insights, and exclusive partnership opportunities, Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech empowers sports-focused startups to scale their technologies and make a lasting impact on the global sports ecosystem.

Invest Atlanta supports women-led startups through the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a 15-month incubator designed to foster business growth, sustainability, and long-term success. Selected entrepreneurs gain access to a modern, resource-rich environment that provides educational programming, mentorship, funding assistance, and a supportive ecosystem tailored to the needs of women founders. At the end of the program, businesses transition back into the broader Atlanta community equipped for expansion.Entry into the WEI incubator is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated not only on the scalability, investability, and sustainability of their business models, but also on key founder qualities—such as passion, focus, and a commitment to building purpose-driven companies. WEI also looks for alignment with Atlanta’s values of diversity, inclusion, integrity, and professional excellence, as well as an openness to mentorship and constructive feedback.Invest Atlanta’s WEI program empowers women entrepreneurs with the resources and support they need to grow resilient, impactful businesses.

CREATE-X is a Georgia Tech–backed accelerator built to help student founders turn bold ideas into real, viable startups. Launched in 2014 with support from alumni donor Chris Klaus and the Marcus Foundation, the program has become a cornerstone of Georgia Tech’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and a major driver of student-led innovation.CREATE-X offers a fully immersive experience that typically runs over the summer. Participants receive up to $5,000 in funding, along with structured coursework, hands-on mentorship, and experiential learning designed to guide them through every stage of early company building. The program covers ideation, product development, market validation, business fundamentals, and investor readiness.By combining education, expert support, and a strong founder community, CREATE-X equips students with the skills and confidence needed to launch successful startups—leaving a lasting impact on Georgia Tech’s innovation landscape.

Goodie Nation provides a comprehensive set of accelerator and post-accelerator programs designed to support tech founders from pre-seed through Series A—especially those building in AI and emerging technologies. Its programming spans multiple tracks, including Next Generation Pre-Seed Startups, Next Generation AI Startups, a Seed Stage Program, and a Series A Circle Program, ensuring that founders receive targeted support based on their stage and industry.Across all programs, participants benefit from events, workshops, mentorship, education, community support, and funding opportunities. Goodie Nation equips early-stage and scaling founders with the guidance, structure, and network they need to grow faster and overcome the barriers that often slow down startup progress.

Atlanta Ventures is a venture capital firm and venture studio designed to help idea-stage founders validate, build, and scale disruptive startups. As a studio, it partners directly with entrepreneurs to shape early concepts into sustainable, high-growth companies. As an investor, it backs promising teams with flexible funding and long-term support. Its portfolio includes standout companies such as Calendly, Salesforce Pardot, and Interlock.Atlanta Ventures provides founders with a wide range of resources, including free bi-monthly pitch practice, sales and marketing tools, customer acquisition support, and hands-on strategic guidance. Startups funded by the firm typically receive $250,000 to $5 million, along with access to the studio environment where they can build their companies from the ground up.Atlanta Ventures equips idea-stage founders with the structure, capital, and expertise needed to transform early ideas into successful startups.

Intel Ignite is a global startup accelerator for early-stage deep tech companies, supporting founders working at the forefront of innovation. Launched in 2019, the program has helped 216 startups across Europe, Israel, the UK, and the United States. Unlike many accelerators, Intel Ignite takes no equity, allowing founders to retain full ownership while still accessing world-class resources.The program focuses on breakthrough technologies such as AI, machine learning, advanced computing, and other deep tech fields. Startups receive hands-on support to refine product-market fit, strengthen technical strategy, and accelerate development. Participants also gain access to Intel’s extensive network of mentors, experts, and investors—positioning them to scale faster and build category-defining technologies.

The Social Innovation Forum is a Boston-based accelerator that supports the launch and growth of high-impact nonprofit organizations. The program provides tailored mentorship, strategic guidance, and visibility within the region’s philanthropic community, helping nonprofits connect with key funders and donors across Greater Boston.Founded in 2015, the Social Innovation Forum has helped numerous mission-driven organizations gain traction and expand their impact. Its alumni include Boston CASA, Adaptive Sports New England, and African Community Education (ACE). The program equips emerging nonprofits with the resources, relationships, and support needed to drive meaningful social change.

Richi Entrepreneurs is a Boston-based startup accelerator hosted by the Richi Childhood Cancer Foundation, focused on supporting high-impact startups in biotech, medtech, and digital health. The program helps founders working on breakthrough healthcare solutions gain access to resources, expert networks, and opportunities to validate and scale their innovations.Since its inception, Richi Entrepreneurs has supported 82 companies from 13 countries, including standout startups such as Humine Labs, Cori, and YouthBio Therapeutics. The accelerator is designed to help mission-driven health innovators make measurable progress toward improving patient outcomes and advancing global health.

Prepare 4 VC is a Boston-based organization that provides a wide range of resources and support services for startup founders, including a comprehensive 12-week accelerator program. The accelerator helps entrepreneurs strengthen their business fundamentals, refine strategy, and prepare effectively for investor conversations through structured curriculum and expert guidance.Founded in 2016 by Jason Krauss, Prepare 4 VC has supported and invested in numerous emerging startups, including ArtSmiley, Baru, and XENA Intelligence. The program equips founders with the knowledge, mentorship, and tools they need to build traction and confidently navigate the fundraising process.

SSC Venture Partners is an exclusive startup accelerator for Boston College alumni, students, and employees. The program supports eligible founders with access to funding opportunities, a strong mentor network, and hands-on training designed to accelerate early-stage growth.Founded in 2017, SSC Venture Partners has backed a range of promising startups, including Aryeo, Darkroom, and Petfolk. The accelerator helps BC-affiliated entrepreneurs refine their strategy, strengthen their business fundamentals, and build the momentum needed to grow successful companies.

AcceliCITY is a global startup accelerator dedicated to helping founders tackle the most pressing challenges of urban living. The program supports startups developing innovative smart city solutions, offering funding opportunities, hands-on mentorship, and access to a powerful international network of city leaders, industry experts, and investors.Since its launch in 2018, AcceliCITY has helped participating companies raise more than $675 million. Its portfolio includes forward-thinking innovators such as Carbon Upcycling Technologies, Bioo, and Hah Parking.AcceliCITY empowers startups building the future of sustainable, efficient, and resilient cities—helping them scale solutions that improve urban life around the world.

Startup Leadership Program (SLP) is a global accelerator network operating in 28 cities across 14 countries, including a prominent program in Boston. Industry-agnostic and highly selective, SLP accepts only 20%–30% of applicants, offering founders access to world-class mentorship, leadership development, and opportunities for funding.Founded in Boston in 2006, the program has helped its participants raise more than $2.4 billion in startup funding. Its diverse portfolio includes companies such as 10BioSystems, Startup Pilots, and 1Minute.SLP focuses on developing strong, resilient founders and provides a powerful global community that supports entrepreneurs long after the program ends.

ACCELR8 is a startup accelerator dedicated to supporting companies developing solutions to the global climate crisis. Rooted in the belief that strong financial performance and meaningful social impact can—and should—coexist, ACCELR8 backs startups that are both economically promising and environmentally transformative.Founded in 1982 by Dwight Poler and Louis J. Kang, the fund has built a long history of supporting breakthrough climate innovators. Its portfolio includes companies such as Beta Hatch, Brimstone, and Boston Materials, each working on technologies that push sustainability forward.ACCELR8 provides mission-aligned founders with capital, guidance, and long-term support to scale climate solutions that make a real difference.

CARB-X is a global accelerator dedicated to advancing new solutions to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The program supports companies developing novel antibiotics, diagnostics, vaccines, and other technologies aimed at fighting drug-resistant infections—one of the world’s most urgent public health challenges.Through substantial funding opportunities, expert mentorship, and access to specialized resources, CARB-X helps early-stage innovators accelerate the development of breakthrough treatments and technologies.Since its launch in 2016, CARB-X has invested $396 million into pioneering antimicrobial projects, backing companies such as HelixBind, Proteus, and T2 Biosystems. The program continues to play a central role in strengthening the global pipeline of solutions targeting antibiotic resistance.

LearnLaunch Accelerator is a Boston-based program dedicated to supporting education and workforce development startups. Its 11-week accelerator blends one to two weeks of in-person programming with remote sessions, giving founders flexibility while still offering meaningful face-to-face engagement.Accepted startups receive personalized guidance, intensive 1:1 mentorship, and up to $150,000 in initial funding to help them refine their product, strengthen their go-to-market strategy, and accelerate early traction.Since its founding in 2012, LearnLaunch Accelerator has helped its portfolio companies raise more than $250 million. Notable alumni include Julius, MindPrint Learning, and others shaping the future of education and skills training.LearnLaunch provides the structure, capital, and expert support early edtech founders need to grow with confidence.

Xontogeny is a Boston-based accelerator dedicated to advancing early-stage healthcare and life science startups. The program provides founders with comprehensive operational support, access to funding pathways, hands-on mentorship, and connections to Xontogeny’s extensive network of industry talent.Since its launch in 2016, Xontogeny has deployed over $15 million in funding to help emerging biotech and health ventures progress from concept to clinical or commercial milestones. Its portfolio includes a growing list of innovative companies developing breakthrough therapies and technologies across the life sciences sector.Xontogeny gives founders the scientific, strategic, and operational backing they need to build high-impact healthcare solutions.

FinTech Sandbox is a six-month accelerator built specifically for fintech startups, providing founders with the tools and data infrastructure they need to innovate and scale. Participants gain access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and—most notably—free data feeds and APIs from FinTech Sandbox’s industry-leading data partners, removing a major barrier for early-stage fintech builders.Founded in 2014, FinTech Sandbox has supported 118 startups, including standout companies such as 42 Interactive, Alpha Exchange, and EverSafe. The program empowers founders to experiment, prototype, and refine financial technologies in a resource-rich environment designed for rapid progress.

InuitiveX is an incubator, investment fund, and accelerator built for early-stage startups in digital health, biotech, pharma, and medical devices. The program supports founders from the earliest stages—helping them move from idea to patent to commercialization with guidance from a specialized team of IP and commercialization experts.Funding amounts vary, but all participating startups gain access to hands-on support, industry insights, and strategic resources tailored to the health innovation ecosystem. InuitiveX works with high-potential companies developing breakthrough technologies that can advance patient care and scientific progress.Its portfolio includes Digiprep, Navlab, Greensky Creations, and other emerging innovators pushing the boundaries of modern healthcare.

Madrona Venture Labs (MVL) is a venture studio designed specifically for AI startups, helping founders turn cutting-edge ideas into high-growth companies. MVL offers three forms of partnership—creation, acceleration, and funding—to support teams at different stages of development.Startups seeking acceleration must already have a small, focused team, an early working product, and signs of customer traction. Through its three-month acceleration program, MVL helps founders reach their first major funding milestone, craft a go-to-market strategy, refine early operations, and build their initial product with guidance from a team deeply experienced in AI, technology, and company building.Madrona Venture Labs gives AI founders the hands-on support, strategic insight, and network needed to launch and scale with confidence.

Pivotal Ventures is a venture capital firm founded by Melinda French Gates, dedicated to accelerating social progress by investing in female-founded and female-led startups. The firm works to remove systemic barriers that limit women’s access to capital, resources, and opportunities.Pivotal Ventures backs both women-led venture funds and early-stage startups with strong performance potential. Its mission is to demonstrate the outsized impact that comes from investing in underrepresented founders and to expand access to funding and support across the startup ecosystem.Through strategic capital and a focus on inclusivity, Pivotal Ventures is helping redefine what successful, high-growth entrepreneurship looks like.

Startup Haven is a pre-seed accelerator and founder community built to support venture-scale startups. Its accelerator program uses the GroundWork Growth Framework to help founders establish clear milestones, strengthen strategy, and move toward scalable, meaningful growth.Eligible startups receive intensive mentorship along with up to $150,000 in funding in exchange for 5%–8% equity. Program tuition varies by funding amount and ranges from $0 to $18,000.To qualify, startups must have a full-time founding team, a capital-efficient business model, a large venture-scale market, a live product, and early signs of commercialization. Startup Haven is designed to give ambitious founders the structure, support, and capital needed to accelerate at the pre-seed stage.

Upaya Social Ventures is an investment firm dedicated to supporting impact-driven startups through its flagship program, the Dignified Jobs Accelerator. The six-month program helps early-stage social entrepreneurs access a deep network of experts and investors, receive one-on-one consulting, participate in interactive workshops, and prepare for future investment opportunities.To qualify, startups must be building products or services that create dignified jobs as a pathway to reducing extreme poverty. Upaya focuses on ventures that generate meaningful employment and long-term economic impact.Active in both Seattle, Washington, and India, Upaya has accelerated 66 businesses and made 39 investments since its founding. The accelerator equips mission-driven founders with the guidance, connections, and support needed to scale solutions that lift communities out of poverty.

CoMotion Labs is a multi-industry incubator at the University of Washington that supports early-stage startups—without taking any equity or IP. The program provides workspace options, structured learning, mentorship, and strong networking opportunities to help founders build and grow their companies.The incubator is especially well-suited for information technology, software, fintech, and AI/ML startups. CoMotion Labs also partners with leading programs such as Techstars Seattle, the BECU FinTech Incubator, and Kernel Labs, giving founders access to broader accelerators and industry-specific resources.Membership is offered through flexible subscription plans—virtual, drop-in, or hybrid—each with increasing levels of perks and support. Regardless of tier, all members gain access to foundational training, workshops, community events, and essential startup resources designed to accelerate growth.

Washington Maritime Blue’s Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator is a four-month, mentor-driven program supporting early-stage maritime startups committed to both economic growth and environmental sustainability. Operated by the state, the accelerator helps founders scale by providing access to a global network of ocean-industry leaders, advisors, and mentors.Since its launch in 2018, the program has graduated more than 30 startups, which have collectively raised over $450 million and created more than 500 jobs. It is open to early-stage North American startups innovating within the maritime sector, and encourages founders from all backgrounds and communities to apply.Each cohort is customized to the needs of its participants, with programming that may include financial modeling, fundraising support, go-to-market strategy, hiring, and business development. The accelerator equips marine-focused startups with the expertise, connections, and momentum needed to grow responsibly and successfully.

The Jones and Foster Accelerator at the University of Washington supports student-founded startups through their first six months of growth. Designed for companies emerging from student work, the program helps early-stage teams gain traction without taking any equity—thanks to support from donors and sponsors.Selected startups receive focused mentorship, help defining measurable milestones, and access to relevant workshops tailored to their stage of development. Each team is also provided with up to $1,000 to cover early operational costs, along with the opportunity to earn up to $25,000 in follow-on funding if they meet their milestones.The accelerator runs from July through January, and eligible teams must have current students or recent graduates in key leadership roles. The program gives young founders the structure, guidance, and early capital they need to turn student projects into real companies.

Pioneer Square Labs (PSL) is both a startup studio and a venture capital fund dedicated to helping early-stage tech founders build and scale high-impact companies. Through its startup studio, PSL works side-by-side with entrepreneurs on essential early-stage needs like market research, concept validation, fundraising support, digital marketing, and product direction. The studio also handles legal, recruiting, and bookkeeping, freeing founders to focus on building.PSL’s venture capital arm invests in pre-seed, seed, and Series A companies across most tech sectors, excluding biotech, pharma, and energy. Portfolio companies benefit not only from funding but also from access to PSL’s team of marketers, product strategists, and data scientists who provide hands-on support.By combining company-building infrastructure with strategic capital, Pioneer Square Labs offers one of the most comprehensive launch platforms for tech startups.

The Graham & Walker Catalyst is a fundraising-readiness program designed specifically for female founders. Since launching in 2018, it has supported 638 founders, with participants collectively raising more than $150 million.The program provides three weeks of free training covering business building, fundraising strategy, and venture capital fundamentals. It helps founders strengthen their pitch, refine their metrics, and gain confidence in investor conversations.All participating startups are also automatically considered for potential investment by Graham & Walker, giving founders both education and a direct path to funding opportunities.

Fledge is a global accelerator network dedicated to supporting sustainable and cleantech startups, as well as other mission-driven “conscious companies.” Its Seattle location is one of its key hubs in North America, offering intensive programs built around deep mentorship, practical education, and hands-on guidance.Each accelerator cohort runs for roughly two months and includes an MBA-level entrepreneurship curriculum, dozens of one-on-one expert meetings, and an investment of up to $20,000 in exchange for 6% equity. The program is designed to help founders refine their business model, strengthen their strategy, and accelerate meaningful impact.A standout feature of Fledge is its inclusion of co-operatives. Unlike most accelerators, Fledge actively welcomes co-ops and offers specialized training for them (with dedicated programming in Boston). This makes Fledge one of the few accelerators globally that supports both traditional startups and cooperative business models.

Texas Venture Labs (TVL) is a zero-cost, zero-equity accelerator run in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. The program provides selected startups with up to 200 hours of high-impact business consulting, delivered by graduate students and guided by experienced faculty and advisors.Open to early-stage companies across all industries, Texas Venture Labs helps founders refine strategy, validate business models, strengthen operations, and accelerate their path to market—without taking any equity or charging fees.TVL has supported a wide range of innovative startups, including Vertalo, Texas Guadaloop, and Seismos, and continues to serve as a valuable launchpad for emerging Texas-based ventures.

Thinktiv is an Austin-based fund offering a suite of accelerator programs designed to help startups strengthen product strategy, elevate product design, and build effective brand and go-to-market systems. Its programs guide founders through the critical early steps of shaping their offering, positioning their company, and preparing for scalable growth.Founded in 2005, Thinktiv has driven more than $14 billion in value transformation across its portfolio. The firm has partnered with a range of high-impact companies, including Scoot, Envision Healthcare, and Mint House.Through its deep expertise and structured programs, Thinktiv helps startups refine their vision, build stronger products, and accelerate their path to market success.

SKU is an Austin-based fund offering multiple industry-specific accelerator programs tailored to consumer product startups. Its cohorts include specialized tracks for pet care, food and beverage, and women-led or minority-led companies, giving founders access to targeted mentorship and resources that fit their market.Founded in 2011, SKU has helped launch dozens of successful brands and has become a well-known hub for consumer product innovation. Its portfolio features standout companies such as Pippy Sips, Mushroom Revival, and American Provenance.Through curated programming, expert guidance, and a strong industry network, SKU helps early-stage consumer brands refine their strategy, accelerate growth, and build long-lasting traction.

International Accelerator is an Austin-based program designed specifically to help foreign-born founders build and launch their startups in the U.S. market. Accepted entrepreneurs receive direct funding, a full 12-month accelerator program, housing and office space, and access to a powerful network of mentors, investors, and strategic partners.Since its launch in 2014, International Accelerator has raised more than $140 million in total funding for its companies and now holds a portfolio valued at $530 million. Notable startups in its portfolio include SolarX, Docturnal, and Print2Block.The program provides international founders with the support, resources, and U.S. market footing they need to scale confidently and build long-term success.

Sputnik ATX is an Austin-based, industry-agnostic accelerator offering a 13-week program focused on helping startups learn how to sell, gain traction, and grow sustainably. The program combines hands-on mentorship with direct investment and provides founders access to a strong network of investors for additional funding opportunities.Accepted startups receive an initial $100,000 investment and benefit from structured training, expert guidance, and support designed to accelerate early-stage growth.Sputnik ATX has backed numerous promising companies, including Backtracks, Vertalo, and Datum, and continues to help founders build momentum and scale their businesses effectively.

Quake Capital Partners is an Austin-based venture capital fund and startup accelerator that has supported more than 350 founders since its launch in 2016. While industry-agnostic, the program has a strong focus on helping technology startups accelerate growth and access early capital.Selected companies receive an initial investment of $100,000 to $150,000, along with access to Quake’s wide network of mentors, investors, and advisors. The firm’s portfolio includes notable startups such as Ampathy, BlastPoint, and BabyQuip.Quake Capital Partners provides the capital, guidance, and connections early-stage founders need to gain traction and scale effectively.

Capital Factory is an Austin-based accelerator offering a 12-week, curriculum-driven program designed to help founders sharpen their strategy and scale faster. Participants receive access to a full boot-camp experience, mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, investor introductions, and a wide range of operational resources. Startups also get six months of free co-working space and up to $250,000 in potential cloud hosting credits from partners like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.In return, Capital Factory takes 1% equity and secures the right to invest in the startup’s next major funding round.Capital Factory has supported a variety of high-growth companies, including Blue Social, Trash Gurus, and indipop, and is known as a central hub for Texas founders looking to accelerate their journey.

DivInc is an Austin-based startup accelerator offering a 12-week program focused on empowering diverse and underrepresented founders. The program helps entrepreneurs strengthen leadership skills, master core business fundamentals, and tap into a powerful network of investors, mentors, and peers. It welcomes startups across many industries while prioritizing founders who have been historically overlooked in the startup ecosystem.Since its founding in 2016, DivInc has supported 120 startups and helped its portfolio raise more than $15 million in funding. Notable alumni include Mixie, Port LookOut, and Snowball Wealth. DivInc continues to champion inclusive innovation by providing the resources, community, and guidance founders need to build lasting, impactful companies.

Halliburton Labs is a Houston-based accelerator supporting energy startups developing breakthrough technologies for a cleaner, more affordable energy future. The program partners with founders working on high-potential solutions and gives them access to Halliburton’s world-class technical expertise, facilities, and extensive business network.Founded in 2020, Halliburton Labs has already helped propel numerous innovative companies, including Helix Power, Chemergy, and Enexor BioEnergy. Accepted startups gain hands-on support, industry insight, and the strategic connections needed to accelerate commercialization and scale their impact in the global energy sector.

Eunike Ventures is a Houston-based startup accelerator created by energy industry veterans to support innovative technologies shaping the future of the sector. The program operates in a hybrid format, combining online collaboration with in-person engagement to help founders move quickly and efficiently.A major strength of Eunike Ventures is its deep global network of energy partners. These long-standing relationships give startups access to industry expertise, pilot opportunities, and potential commercial pathways.Since its founding in 2018, Eunike Ventures has helped launch a range of impactful energy startups, including Senslytics, Equipcast, and Nesh, supporting founders as they refine their solutions and bring new technologies to market.

Seed Round Capital is a Houston-based venture fund that supports early-stage, fast-growing startups with direct investment, network access, and educational programming. While open to many industries, the fund prioritizes companies that have already achieved product-market fit and early traction.Accepted startups receive an initial investment of $50,000 to $150,000, along with opportunities to pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists within Seed Round Capital’s network. The program also hosts learning events and community sessions to help founders refine their strategy and accelerate growth.Portfolio companies include Kaya, Adaptive Pulse, and Rocco, among others—each representing the fund’s focus on scalable, high-potential early-stage ventures.

Lair East Labs is a New York City–based startup accelerator designed to help early-stage companies scale globally, with a strong emphasis on expansion into Asian markets. The program works with pre-seed, seed, and early venture startups and has made 31 investments, including nine focused on diverse founders. Its portfolio centers on disruptive technology across enterprise, deeptech, hardware, consumer, entertainment, and health sectors, with alumni such as Modality.ai, Goop, and Sinc.Each cohort includes 8–12 startups that participate in an intensive 10-week accelerator program. Selected companies receive up to $150,000 in funding, along with mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to a powerful international network.Lair East Labs equips founders with the tools, partners, and market support they need to scale their technology and grow across global markets.

43North is a Buffalo-based startup accelerator that invests in seed-stage companies ready to scale. The program allocates $5 million annually and has helped its portfolio raise more than $1 billion in venture capital. Its alumni include standout companies such as AMPAworks, ASARASI, BetterMynd, Bounce Imaging, and BIG.43North works across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, software, life sciences, clean tech, and consumer products. Applicants go through a competitive three-stage selection process, which culminates in an in-person pitch on stage.Selected startups receive $1 million in funding for 5% equity, along with one-on-one mentorship and access to a network of nearly 1,000 investors, plus introductions to customers and vendors. A key requirement: all winners must relocate to Buffalo, NY for one year and work out of the 43North headquarters, connecting deeply with the local startup ecosystem.

Entrepreneurs Roundtable AcceleratorBest For: Early-Stage Software Startups Funding Amount: $150,000Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator has raised over $2 billion in funds and has over 300 alumni. It runs two four-month programs annually, with one starting in January and the other running in June. ERA has no stage requirements, but it does request that applicants have an initial product and a solid team. Eligible startups receive $150,000 in seed funding on a 6% post-money SAFE as well as potential access to follow-on funding. Plus, participants receive additional sponsor benefits such as Azure credits, Amazon Web Services (AWS) web hosting credits, and Stripe credits, to name a few. ERA works in the technology space, and it says it has a bias toward companies with two-to-four-person foundation teams. Past investments include Flyhound, Keye, and Pharmesol.

ICONYC Labs is an accelerator and value-add investor focused on early-stage Israeli technology startups. The program works with founders building in high-impact sectors such as digital health, drones, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, with investments typically made at the seed and early stages.ICONYC combines investment with hands-on support, helping startups refine strategy, strengthen operations, and accelerate their growth in global markets—especially in the U.S. ecosystem. Founders can apply by contacting one of the program’s co-founders directly or by submitting an application through the ICONYC website.The accelerator is designed to give promising Israeli startups the guidance, network access, and investor exposure needed to scale internationally.

Echoing Green is a global nonprofit accelerator supporting social impact founders who are tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it has invested more than $37 million in over 700 fellows across 86+ countries, helping visionary leaders launch and scale mission-driven initiatives.Its flagship program, the Echoing Green Fellowship, offers deep leadership development, expert guidance, and comprehensive wellbeing support. Selected founders receive an 18-month seed funding package totaling $80,000 in recoverable grants, along with access to a powerful global network of mentors, partners, and alumni.Echoing Green empowers social entrepreneurs with the tools, community, and capital they need to create lasting impact.

XRC Ventures is a New York City–based venture firm and accelerator specializing in retail technology, consumer healthtech, and consumer goods. The organization supports founders building the next generation of consumer-focused innovations.Through the XRC Accelerator Fund & Program, the firm invests in pre-seed startups and provides hands-on operational support, expert mentorship, and access to a powerful network of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry executives. Eligible companies receive $200,000 on a post-money SAFE—which includes a $50,000 accelerator fee—in exchange for 7% equity.The program is designed to help early-stage founders sharpen strategy, accelerate product development, and build meaningful connections across the consumer and retail ecosystem.

Best For: AR, VR, Cybersecurity, and IoT Startups Funding Amount: $100,000-$2 Million Luminate is a global foundation that funds existing organizations to collaborate and come up with new solutions and initiatives for advocacy work. It supports work that aims to improve the inclusivity of political and civic life while removing barriers. It also offers early-stage support and seeding solutions. What makes this program more exclusive is that Luminate does not accept unsolicited proposals. Instead, it reaches out to potential partners itself by identifying the strongest opportunities to scale. Eligible startups receive $100,000 in initial funding as well as coaching from industry leaders and Luminate staff. The top companies in the accelerator receive an additional $2 million in funding.

Genius NY is a leading accelerator and venture program for aerospace, air mobility, and robotics startups. Founded in 2017, the firm has raised more than $100 million and positions itself as a $3 million accelerator dedicated to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), big data technologies, and advanced robotics. Genius NY also partners with Starburst, a top aerospace and defense accelerator, to support and invest in early-stage companies.Each year, five startups are selected for the cohort. The top team receives a $1 million investment, while the remaining four receive $500,000 each. Beyond funding, participating founders gain access to business development support, investor relations assistance, executive advisors, industry connections, fundraising guidance, and free office space.The program is designed to help cutting-edge aerospace and robotics companies accelerate product development, secure strategic partnerships, and scale into high-impact, high-growth ventures.

Big Idea Ventures is a global venture capital firm based in New York, investing across seed, early-stage, venture, and private equity. The firm manages three funds totaling $250 million, including its newest fund—New Protein Fund II, a $75 million fund focused on plant-based and cell-based foods, technologies, and ingredients.Big Idea Ventures also runs a five-month accelerator program in New York, Singapore, and Paris. The program is designed for food-sector startups developing sustainable proteins, fats, ingredients, sweeteners, flavorings, or monocrop innovations. To qualify, companies must already have a market-validated initial product.Selected startups receive $200,000 in funding—$125,000 in cash and $75,000 in program value—along with lifetime expert support, access to office, kitchen, and lab facilities, and a powerful network of more than 300 mentors, investors, and industry leaders. The accelerator helps founders refine their products, strengthen commercialization strategies, and scale within the rapidly expanding alternative protein ecosystem.

MedTech Innovator is a virtual accelerator designed for early- to mid-stage startups in digital health and life sciences. The program supports companies developing innovative healthcare technologies and does not require equity or participation fees, making it fully founder-friendly.While primarily virtual, the accelerator includes mandatory in-person events where startups meet industry leaders, investors, and potential partners. Participants gain access to mentorship, strategic guidance, and a global network within the healthcare technology ecosystem.Based in Los Angeles but open to startups worldwide, MedTech Innovator helps emerging healthtech companies refine their products, strengthen commercialization strategies, and accelerate their path to market.

The Cedars-Sinai Accelerator is a three-month program in Los Angeles designed for innovative healthcare startups. Selected companies receive a $100,000 investment, along with mentorship from more than 300 leading clinicians, executives, and healthcare experts. Participants also gain access to a broad network of entrepreneurs and investors within the health innovation ecosystem.Since its launch in 2016, the accelerator has supported over 80 healthcare startups, including notable companies like Acolyte Health, CancerAid, and HomeHero. Through funding, expert guidance, and deep industry connections, Cedars-Sinai Accelerator helps founders refine their solutions and accelerate their path to market.

Moderne Passport is a six-month industry immersion program that helps growth-stage companies sharpen their go-to-market strategy, secure pilot opportunities, and connect with potential investors and acquirers. Participants receive hands-on mentorship and gain access to the expansive Moderne Network—more than 700 corporations and senior executives from top companies.Cohorts meet roughly once a month at events across the country, where founders showcase their products, engage with mentors, and participate in curated industry and private corporate gatherings. The program delivers strategic guidance, expert support, real-world pilot opportunities, and high-value exposure to decision-makers.Although industry-agnostic, most participating companies share common characteristics:Target Markets: Strong fit within Moderne’s core sectors, with potential to expand into additional verticalsRevenue: Typically between $1M and $30M+Customers: From early traction to fully established client basesFinancing: Seed stage and beyond, often with backing from top-tier investorsProduct: Out of beta and ready to scale nationally or globallyBusiness Models: Preference for disruptive SaaS platforms in digital media, fintech, business services, and big data, especially B2B-focused companiesModerne Passport equips these companies with the relationships, insights, and momentum needed to accelerate growth at scale.

Founded in 2015, the Good Food Business Accelerator supports food startups and small food-related businesses across the Chicago area with community, resources, and hands-on guidance. Since launching, it has supported 85 companies, built a network of over 100 members, and helped participants secure more than $2 million in funding.The accelerator offers three cohort-based programs designed to help founders make stronger business decisions through structured curriculum, coaching, and collaborative learning. Participants work on essential materials—such as sales decks and financial reports—while growing alongside other entrepreneurs. Every graduate receives a free yearlong GFA membership.Go To Market (2 months): For founders just getting started. Participants are matched with an industry mentor and work on early-stage strategy and execution.Accelerate for Growth (4 months): For businesses preparing to scale. This program focuses on improving operations, management, sales, financials, and marketing.Market Access (4 weeks): A fast-paced workshop series that helps businesses become retail-ready.Together, these programs give food entrepreneurs the structure and support they need to build, strengthen, and grow their businesses.

The New Venture Challenge (NVC), launched in 1996 by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago, is one of the nation’s premier accelerator programs. Over its long history, it has supported more than 370 startups that have collectively raised over $1.2 billion in funding and generated $8.5 billion in mergers and exits. Notable alumni include Grubhub, Braintree/Venmo, and Simple Mills—companies that reshaped their industries.Startups accepted into the NVC gain access to the Polsky Center’s unmatched expertise, resources, and funding pathways. Participants benefit from tailored guidance, a powerful mentor network, and the strong community of NVC advisors, founders, and alumni. With this support, teams can dramatically accelerate their development and position themselves for long-term success.

Launched in 2014, the Financial Solutions Lab accelerator is a national leader in supporting fintech innovation for underserved communities. The program partners with entrepreneurs building solutions that improve financial health for low- to moderate-income individuals, as well as Black, Latinx, and other historically underrepresented groups.Startups accepted into the accelerator receive funding, strategic guidance from industry leaders, and mentorship from top financial services and financial health experts. Participants also gain access to a broad network of partners and resources designed to help them develop, refine, and scale impactful fintech products.

Food Foundry is a leading startup accelerator focused on the future of the restaurant and hospitality industry. The program recently completed its sixth cohort, working with a new group of visionary early-stage founders pushing the boundaries of how customers dine and interact with food businesses.The accelerator supports startups using cutting-edge technologies—metaverse and virtual environments, Web3, AR/VR, front-of-house automation, retail innovation, and AI-powered enhancements—to reimagine the next generation of dining experiences.Food Foundry empowers these companies with mentorship, industry insights, and a powerful network to help them scale transformative ideas that elevate restaurants and reshape the way people engage with food.

Cleveland Avenue runs a three-month accelerator designed for food, beverage, and food-tech startups in the Chicago area. Participants receive hands-on guidance from a team of industry specialists who bring deep market intelligence, operational discipline, and strategic insight to help founders streamline and scale their businesses.Named after the Chicago street where founders Don and Liz Thompson grew up, Cleveland Avenue is built on a mission of community. The organization is dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration, and strengthening Chicago’s broader food and hospitality ecosystem.Cleveland Avenue works across seed-stage ventures, early-stage startups, and private equity opportunities, supporting emerging restaurants, beverage brands, and innovative food-focused companies looking to transform the hospitality and food service industry.

Workbox runs an eight-week accelerator designed to prepare early-stage startups for their first conversations with outside investors. The program helps founders refine operations, strengthen product positioning, and build a compelling funding strategy so they can communicate effectively with potential investors.The accelerator costs $7,500 plus 0.5% equity and includes access to the full suite of Workbox services:Workbox’s full virtual platformExclusive programming and networking eventsMonthly investor AMAs with capital partnersDiscounted operational supportCloud credits and vendor discountsA strong network of innovators, founders, and industry leadersParticipants also receive:An eight-week structured cohort programDirect access to 40+ investors and lendersStrategic advising and coachingA Workbox Ventures strategy sessionA dedicated services coordinator to make warm introductionsThe program is designed to give early founders the clarity, connections, and confidence they need to pursue outside capital successfully.

REACH is an accelerator backed by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), built to help high-potential real estate and proptech startups scale quickly. The program provides founders with access to funding opportunities, hands-on mentorship, and exclusive industry events across a global network.With NAR operating in 85 countries, participants benefit from unmatched international exposure and market access. REACH also runs accelerator cohorts in multiple cities worldwide, expanding opportunities for startups to connect with partners, customers, and investors.To date, the program has supported more than 140 companies, helping them grow within one of the largest and most influential real estate ecosystems in the world.

MATTER is a healthtech-focused incubator designed to support startups at any stage of their growth. Its six-month program provides founders with access to development resources, educational programming, customer discovery opportunities, a supportive community, and pathways to capital.A key differentiator: MATTER does not take equity. Founders can receive targeted guidance and tap into a robust network of mentors, partners, and industry experts without giving up ownership.Beyond incubation, MATTER also helps startups prepare for fundraising. The team supports founders in crafting fundraising strategies, refining investor presentations, and connecting with potential investors to accelerate their path to capital.

mHub runs a HardTech accelerator designed for startups building the future of sustainable manufacturing, medtech, and climate or energy technologies. The program backs early-stage founders with funding, prototyping facilities, and hands-on support for hardware and product development.Located in one of the nation’s most diverse manufacturing regions, mHub is deeply connected to Chicago’s ecosystem of 12,000+ manufacturers, industry leaders, investors, and innovators. Its mission is to bring these networks together so startups can access the expertise, supply chains, and partnerships needed to strengthen and modernize Chicago’s manufacturing landscape.The accelerator is a six-month, high-intensity program focused on taking new products from concept to commercialization. Due to strong demand, founders must submit an application to be considered for participation.

ChatGPT said:Here’s a polished rewrite with the same meaning, just smoother and clearer:For more than ten years, 1871 has supported tech innovators by offering workspace, resources, and mentorship from top entrepreneurs. What began as a small initiative has since grown into one of the city’s most recognized business incubators.Its incubator program provides three membership tracks:• Early Stage – for founders taking an idea to product-market fit• Growth Stage – for startups scaling from seed rounds toward an IPO• Corporate – for established companies driving internal innovationEach track requires a monthly membership fee.Before applying, 1871 recommends joining an information session. After attending one, you can submit your application online to become a member.

Betaworks AI Camp: Interfaces is a 13-week, in-person accelerator in New York City for founders reimagining how humans experience AI. This cohort focuses on the interface layer — voice-native tools, ambient agents, multimodal interactions, invisible UI, prompt-driven systems, and entirely new paradigms for human–machine interaction. If the interface is your invention, this is the program built for you.What Betaworks is looking for:Startups that aren’t just building AI features, but redefining the boundaries of interaction itself. Teams exploring real-time voice UX, multimodal I/O, adaptive agents, long-context memory, spatial computing, latency-aware UI, sensory-rich design, and deeply thoughtful prompting as a core product surface. The goal: interfaces that couldn’t have existed before AI — and feel inevitable once used.Why now:Breakthroughs in multimodal models, real-time voice, agent orchestration, spatial hardware, and persistent memory have shifted the bottleneck in AI from capability to experience. Betaworks believes the next major leap will come from founders who abstract the right layer and reinvent how people interact with intelligent systems.What founders receive:Up to $500K investmentHands-on support across product, GTM, design, operations, and fundraisingWeekly workshops, founder circles, and investor matchmakingPhysical workspace in Betaworks’ NYC office in the Meatpacking DistrictA curated Demo Day in front of high-quality investors and industry leadersWho should apply:Founders designing new AI interfaces — not wrappers, but windows into the future. Teams building ambient, ephemeral, multimodal, or transformative UX. Products where prompting is craftsmanship, speed is a design constraint, and delight is a feature.What Betaworks wants:Interfaces that surprise, engage, disappear when they should, and make powerful AI feel effortless.

Entrepreneurs First (EF) is a unique accelerator that doesn’t wait for founders to show up with a startup—it backs exceptional individuals first, then helps them become funded founders. EF is designed for people with talent, ambition, and potential, whether they already have an idea, are exploring one, or have nothing more than the drive to build something big.What makes EF different:EF builds cofounding teams from scratch. Through a highly curated matching process, founders gain access to a pool of top-tier talent, meet potential cofounders at retreats and hackathons, and receive expert guidance on selecting the right partner. Many unicorn and high-growth companies—like Sonantic (acquired by Spotify)—were formed entirely through EF’s matching process.From zero to revenue:Founders join EF at the earliest stage, often before an idea exists. EF advisors help shape and validate concepts rapidly, with the top-performing teams generating revenue by Demo Day. Founders work closely with advisors in EF’s local offices and receive U.S.-market support from a dedicated San Francisco partner.Elite network & global exposure:EF provides private, off-the-record sessions with some of the world’s most iconic founders and tech leaders, including John Collison (Stripe), Adam D’Angelo (Quora), Eric Schmidt (Google), Demis Hassabis (DeepMind), Nat Friedman, Kevin Hartz, and Daniel Gross. Founders also gain access to a powerful investor base: Founders Fund, Greylock, a16z, Index, Khosla, Sequoia, Initialized, and more.Bridge to Silicon Valley:EF helps founders relocate, incorporate as a Delaware C Corp, build for the U.S. market, and pitch at EF’s San Francisco Demo Day, attended by 200+ VC partners. Most EF companies raise $1–7M within weeks of Demo Day, with many going on to build venture-backed businesses in AI, robotics, fintech, supply chain, and aerospace.Founder-friendly funding & support:Equity-free grant during ideationUp to $250K investment once the company formsUp to $3M in follow-on fundingOver $600K in credits (Azure, OpenAI, Anthropic, GitHub, PostHog, Datadog, ElevenLabs, and more)Nine months of office space across London, Bangalore, and San FranciscoTrack record:Companies built through EF exceed $13B in total value, including:Aztec (privacy infrastructure for Ethereum)Cleo (AI financial management)Neptune Robotics (robotic ship maintenance)Omnea (AI supply chain)Magdrive (satellite propulsion)EF is ideal for ambitious individuals who’ve consistently outperformed their peers, built products or organizations before, and want to found a U.S.-focused, venture-scale startup.

Neo Accelerator is an intensive, three-month program for highly technical pre-seed and seed founders across North America. Each year, Neo brings together a tight-knit cohort of 20 standout technical teams and gives them the funding, mentorship, community, and network needed to build world-class companies.Founders begin with a fully-paid, month-long bootcamp in Sunriver, Oregon, living and building alongside mentors and other startups. The experience then continues in Neo’s San Francisco office, where teams can co-work, refine their product, access the broader Neo community, and prepare for Demo Day. The program ends with an all-inclusive retreat in Arizona and a pitch to top-tier investors, engineers, and tech leaders.Neo offers $600K in founder-friendly funding through an uncapped SAFE with a $10M floor valuation, along with shared upside across the whole cohort. Startups also receive access to world-class mentors—founders and operators from Notion, Google Sheets, Webflow, Dropbox, Figma, Cognition, Airbnb, Scale AI, and more—through weekly 1:1 meetings, workshops, and intimate events.The program includes substantial technical advantages: $350K+ in OpenAI & Azure credits, priority GPU access, hands-on AI support from Microsoft and OpenAI researchers, and discounted tools across the startup stack. Neo also provides access to one of the strongest engineering recruiting networks in the industry, used by companies like OpenAI, Notion, and Ramp.Backers of Neo include iconic leaders such as Sheryl Sandberg, Ben Silbermann, Amjad Masad, Akshay Kothari, Sarah Smith, and Henry Kravis—and Neo-backed companies include Cursor, Kalshi, Bluesky, Vanta, Moment, Sapien, Caldera, and Cassidy.Neo places a strong emphasis on diversity: 45% of its capital has gone to female or underrepresented minority CEOs. Solo founders are welcome, as long as at least one founder is technical.Founders who join Neo gain lifelong access to a community of 300+ tech veterans, mentors, and operators—a network designed to give far more than it takes.

PearX is Pear VC’s exclusive, small-batch accelerator for pre-seed founders—designed to give early teams the highest possible chance of success. This 12-week program combines meaningful capital, deep founder-to-founder mentorship, and hands-on support that spans everything from hiring to customer acquisition. With a cohort size capped at ~20 teams, PearX delivers a level of personal attention most accelerators simply can’t match. More than 90% of PearX companies go on to raise institutional seed rounds.What founders get:Flexible capital: $250K to $2M invested based on stage and company needs.Massive technical support: Over $1M in cloud credits from Microsoft, OpenAI, and other top providers.Dedicated mentorship: 1:1 guidance from Pear partners—experienced founders and operators with deep expertise in your vertical.A real community: A tight-knit cohort of ambitious founders + the broader Pear network of alumni and operators.Pear Studio: Free access to a 30,000 sq ft HQ in Mission Bay, SF for six months—offices, meeting rooms, phone booths, collaborative spaces, and more.Sales & GTM support: Help defining ICP, prospecting, customer discovery, and building a scalable sales engine.Hiring support: A dedicated in-house recruiter to help you secure key early hires, from founding engineers to designers.Fundraising preparation: Pitch refinement, storytelling, target investor lists, and deal support to raise a strong seed round.Program experience:PearX begins with Camp Pear, a 3-day retreat where founders meet, bond, and align before diving into the 12-week sprint. Each cohort concludes with an in-person Demo Day for top GPs, followed by a virtual Demo Day to thousands of investors.Who it’s for:Pre-seed founders ready to build in person in the San Francisco Bay Area. Solo founders are welcome, and Pear can even support co-founder matching. Companies may have raised up to $2M prior to PearX.Why PearX stands out:Unlike high-volume accelerators, PearX intentionally keeps its batches small so each company receives deep, personalized support. The result: 90+% of PearX startups successfully raise follow-on funding, and many go on to build category-defining companies.

AI Grant is a global accelerator for pre-seed and seed-stage AI startups, offering one of the most generous and founder-friendly packages in the ecosystem. Each selected team receives a $250K investment on an uncapped MFN SAFE, $350K+ in Azure credits, and access to a world-class network of advisors, operators, and investors shaping the future of AI.What founders get:$250K investment with no cap, no discount — one of the most favorable early-stage terms available.Massive cloud support: $350,000 in Azure credits plus over $700K+ in additional partner credits from OpenAI, Anthropic, Replicate, PostHog, ElevenLabs, Vercel, Cohere, Hugging Face, Stripe, Vapi, and more.AI Grant Summit in San Francisco: A focused weekend with fellow founders and legendary advisors.Exclusive Demo Day: Pitch in front of top-tier investors, executives, and AI-focused venture firms.Founders Hub membership + GTM support: Courtesy of Microsoft for Startups.A community of top AI builders:AI Grant’s advisor list includes industry heavyweights such as David Holz (Midjourney), Andrej Karpathy, Tobi Lütke (Shopify), Patrick Collison (Stripe), Alexandr Wang (Scale), Dylan Field (Figma), Guillermo Rauch (Vercel), Noam Shazeer, and more — giving founders unmatched access to product, model, and company-building expertise.Track record:AI Grant has backed hundreds of AI-native startups across four batches, including products in generative video (Pika), infrastructure (Replicate, RunPod), voice (Play.ht), robotics (Matic Robots), developer tools (Cursor), SaaS automation (Momentic, Abstract AI), geospatial intelligence, model testing, deepfake detection, and more. Alumni span every category of modern AI—from consumer apps to frontier research and specialized enterprise agents.Who it’s for:Founders building AI-native products, tools, and applications — especially those who care about iteration, UX, and delivering something users genuinely love. No credentials are required, solo founders are welcome, and teams may even apply before forming a company.About the program:Originally launched in 2017 as a research grant initiative, AI Grant has evolved into a full-scale accelerator backed by Nat Friedman and Daniel Gross, who have invested $10M into the program. Larger follow-on investments (up to $100M) are available through their separate funds.

Sequoia Arc is Sequoia’s bi-annual open call for exceptional pre-seed and seed-stage founders—an on-ramp into one of the most influential venture networks in the world. For more than 50 years, Sequoia has backed category-defining companies at their earliest moments: Apple before revenue, Nvidia when it was only a founding team, and Wiz before the idea had fully formed.Arc gives founders an early advantage by combining Sequoia’s long-term mindset with hands-on support designed to build momentum fast.What founders gain:Faster path to PMF: Direct guidance from Sequoia partners to sharpen ideas, refine product direction, and accelerate early traction.Access to the Sequoia network: A global community of operators, executives, customers, and technical leaders—unlocking talent pipelines, commercial introductions, and strategic advice.Big vision thinking: Sequoia helps teams build with decades-long ambition, not quarter-by-quarter constraints.Founder feedback:Teams consistently cite Sequoia’s network as an “unfair advantage”—opening doors, elevating credibility, and expanding what founders believe they can build. Sequoia partners are known for being patient, conviction-driven collaborators who help companies lay strong foundations before scaling.Who it’s for:Ambitious early-stage founders aiming to build generational companies. Applications for the Fall ’25 Arc cycle are closed, but interested founders can join the waitlist for the next open call.

The Mint by BTV is a dedicated pre-seed program built specifically for fintech founders—the only platform designed by fintech operators for fintech operators. Created by the team behind Better Tomorrow Ventures, who’ve backed 100+ fintech startups and previously ran the 500 Fintech accelerator, The Mint gives founders the specialized support, network, and expertise traditional programs can’t match.Why it stands out:Fintech companies face unique regulatory, distribution, and product challenges. The Mint is designed to remove those early friction points by pairing founders directly with seasoned fintech operators, top strategic partners, and the BTV team—people who’ve been building fintech since before it even had a name.What founders get:Hands-on support: BTV acts like an extension of your founding team, helping with hiring, culture, go-to-market, partnerships, and fundraising.Deep network access: Direct introductions to fintech partners, customers, angels, and VCs across the BTV ecosystem.Fundraising guidance: Strategy, storytelling, warm intros, and prep for raising your next round.10-week in-person program: Focused workshops, coaching, and fireside chats with leading fintech CEOs—all culminating in a Demo Day with top-tier investors and strategic partners.Fintech-specific expertise: Legal, pricing, founder-led sales, early product, HR, and more—taught by operators who’ve lived it.Founder experience:Alumni consistently highlight The Mint’s collaborative environment, tailored resources, daily interaction with fellow founders, and the low-ego culture that makes it safe to test ideas, ask questions, and move fast.Who it’s for:Pre-seed fintech founders who want to build, validate, and scale with the backing of one of the strongest fintech investor networks in the world.

Iterative is a Southeast Asia–focused startup accelerator that invests $150K–$500K in early-stage companies twice a year. Startups receive the full investment immediately upon joining a 12-week program, followed by an intense, hands-on period of refining ideas, validating opportunities, and growing fast. At the end of the cohort, founders present to a curated group of investors to raise their next round.What makes Iterative different:Built by founders who previously created, scaled, and exited multiple venture-backed startups (Decide, Weave, Divvy Homes), Iterative brings deep, practical experience to every team. Their approach is candid, tactical, and hyper-focused on helping founders figure out what matters and move quickly.How they help:Capital (up to $500K): A strong commitment signal with no program fee.Co-building with founders: Partners work directly with teams to shape ideas, validate assumptions, and focus on the right problems.Investor support: Hands-on guidance on fundraising strategy, pitch structure, negotiating terms, and running a proper process.Network access: Introductions to investors across Southeast Asia and Silicon Valley, plus a highly supportive founder community.Alumni describe Iterative as the most productive period in their company’s history—many raising significant rounds, expanding into new markets, and scaling revenue rapidly after the program.

A 6-week founder residency that helps you launch and secure pre-seed funding.Antler is a global early-stage VC that backs founders from day zero. In the U.S., they run an intensive 6-week residency in NYC, San Francisco, and Austin—designed to compress six months of progress into six weeks. Antler invests up to $500k, giving founders both capital and a fast, structured path to launching their company.What Antler OffersFunding:Accepted founders receive $200k for 8% equity, with an additional $300k reserved for follow-on investment. Antler aims to be the first institutional check and continues supporting founders well beyond the residency.A High-Caliber Community:Founders join a curated cohort of top 3% applicants—peers who share drive, technical depth, and founder DNA. Many find co-founders during the program.Hands-On Coaching:Participants get direct access to Antler’s team, plus experienced founders, operators, and investors from their global network.Structured Speed:The residency is full-time and in person, giving founders concentrated time, resources, and accountability to validate ideas, pivot, or launch quickly.Ongoing Support After Investment:Portfolio companies get a dedicated partner, continued coaching, workspace, and introductions to customers, investors, and Antler’s global community as they prepare for their seed round.Who It’s ForAntler backs founders who move fast, own the mission, and show exceptional skill—whether starting from scratch or building on early traction. They invest across all tech sectors, as long as the idea is venture-scale.

A pre-seed program built to take founders from 0 to 1.Velocity is Village Global’s bespoke program for pre-seed founders, offering capital, a global peer cohort, and unmatched access to one of the strongest networks in tech. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.What founders getFunding:Village Global invests up to $1M to help founders reach their next major milestone. When it’s time for follow-on rounds, they provide pitch refinement and warm introductions to top investors.Network Access:Founders can leverage the Village Global network for hiring, expert guidance, customer intros, and—over time—direct access to the program’s high-profile luminary LPs (many of whom built iconic tech companies).Global Participation:Velocity is fully remote-friendly. Founders can join from anywhere, and those wanting to relocate to the U.S. receive immigration legal sponsorship through Alma, covered by the program.AI Compute Benefits:AI teams receive premium benefits from major partners, including:Up to $350K in Azure credits with GPU cluster access$10K in OpenAI credits, usage upgrades, and early technical accessAnthropic credits, priority support, and top rate limitsPeer Community:Velocity emphasizes shared learning through curated Mastermind groups, founder meetups, masterclasses, and the annual Villagers Retreat, where founders connect with peers a few steps ahead.

Accel Atoms is a pre-seed incubator designed for Indian and Indian-origin founders building from anywhere in the world. The program blends Accel’s global network, operational playbooks, and hands-on mentorship to help early teams scale fast and stay in “perpetual beta”—constantly iterating, testing, and uncovering new possibilities.What they focus on:Atoms backs ambitious founders across the full AI stack—from foundational models and developer tooling to enterprise AI agents, consumer AI products, and frontier “physical AI” applications. They’re also open to bold ideas outside these themes.Program highlights:Highly selective cohort: Only 8–10 startups per batch.Deep personalization: No cookie-cutters—support is tailored to each startup’s stage and needs.Community access: Connect with 350+ founders, 100+ investors, and Accel’s global operator network.Customer access: Warm introductions to early enterprise buyers, end-users, and the Accel portfolio of 200+ startups.1:1 Mentorship: Monthly office hours with Accel partners plus direct sessions with top global AI leaders.Applications for the AI 2025 Cohort close on September 1, with the program kicking off in November.

A high-impact, 14‑week program designed for pre‑Series A startups with real traction. it selects only seven companies per cohort and invests $125K for 7% equity.Core features:Weekly pitch sessions with seasoned investors—typically 8–10 per week—culminating in a full demo dayPersonalized coaching on storytelling, fundraising, and growth strategy, delivered with direct, no-nonsense feedbackInvestor access: founders meet up to 100 active angels and VCs, with 300+ in the LAUNCH networkIdeal participants:Startups with solid metrics—$2K+ MRR growing 20%+ monthly for B2B/marketplaces, 3K+ DAUs with weekly growth for consumer, or deep-tech teams with an MVP in market.

A long-term home for ambitious builders in emerging tech.Founders, Inc. backs early founders with checks of up to $250k, investing primarily in AI/ML, AR/VR, gaming, hardware, Web3, dev tools, and consumer tech. Their model blends funding with a deep, hands-on support system rather than a traditional accelerator or VC setup.Accepted founders get a dedicated seat on the F.inc Campus in San Francisco, surrounded by prolific builders, daily community lunches, office hours, events, media resources, a hardware lab, and ongoing support. There are no pitch decks—founders apply, build on campus for a short trial, and decisions are made based on real traction and execution.They take 4–7% equity, offer long-term residency rather than a fixed cohort timeline, and often support founders before and after programs like YC. Founders join when they have a clear direction, early traction, and a strong point of view on what they’re building. Those not yet ready can join shorter 4–6 week programs to build momentum and prepare for funding.Founders, Inc. is designed for builders with curiosity, technical drive, ambition, and a distinctive perspective—founders who want a community, not just capital.

About the AI2 IncubatorWhere world-class AI research becomes real companies.The AI2 Incubator grew out of one of the most influential AI research hubs in the world—the Allen Institute for AI (AI2). Founded in 2014 and shaped by more than a decade of groundbreaking research, the incubator specializes in applied AI: taking cutting-edge ideas and turning them into products, companies, and venture-scale outcomes.Deep Roots in Applied AIAI2 has been backed by over $100M annually from the Paul Allen estate and major donors, supporting more than 200 researchers and engineers who have produced 1,100+ papers and earned 60+ best paper awards. Many field-defining breakthroughs emerged from this environment, including YOLO, which transformed computer vision, and ELMo, one of the early pillars of modern language models.The incubator’s leadership comes directly from this ecosystem.Prof. Oren Etzioni, founder of the AI2 Incubator and former CEO of AI2, is a pioneer in machine learning, reasoning, and large-scale information extraction.He helped launch early winners such as Xnor (acquired by Apple) and Kitt, before expanding the incubator with Jacob Colker and Vu Ha, who helped build Semantic Scholar.Yifan Zhang joined the leadership team in 2023 as the incubator became an independent entity.Their combined experience—spanning academia, venture creation, and product innovation—forms the incubator’s DNA: early, embedded, and relentlessly hands-on with applied AI long before the current wave of hype.A Team That’s Been ThereThe core team has worked with or built over 100 startups, bringing expertise across product strategy, go-to-market, fundraising, legal, and scaling. They bring a founder-first mindset informed by real experience going from zero to one—and beyond.Whether shaping your product, navigating early technical decisions, refining your pitch, or solving messy real-world problems, their approach is simple: no theory without application. No AI without impact.

From June to early September, teams have dedicated space in the co-working environment of the Trust Center on the MIT campus, or MIT delta v NYC in Manhattan. They will work on their ventures full-time for the whole summer.Teams will define and refine their target market, conduct primary market research and build knowledge about their customers and users. They will run experiments to validate or invalidate their key hypotheses with potential customers. They will be building and nurturing their founding team. They will make progress on the mechanics of starting their venture.Peer Learning & Community BuildingPeer learning is a core tenet of this program. Teams will be updating the cohort every week with the progress they have made and to pose any questions or requests for help. Teams will often pair up to help each other with issues and give each other feedback.Teams will also get an opportunity to form a strong community of peer entrepreneurs who will provide each other with support both during the summer as well as in the months and years after the program concludes.Mentorship & CoachingThroughout the summer we will support the teams’ progress via 1×1 coaching sessions and meetings with external mentors who are carefully matched to the needs of their ventures.Simulated “Board Meetings”Once a month, teams will present their progress and get unbiased feedback in simulated “board meetings” to “board members” who are leaders from industry.Guest Talks, Seminar Series & Network BuildingWe will also help teams expand their knowledge of entrepreneurship techniques and frameworks via an optional seminar series, as well as guest talks by thought leaders on topics of interest.Participants will also get the benefit of introductions to relevant industry experts, investors, and other entrepreneurs throughout the program.Optional Fundraising ExtensionWe offer delta v teams the chance to participate in an optional program for teams who are interested in fundraising. Make the transition from delta v to a sustainable business by spending September and October preparing part-time, remotely for the fundraising process. This will run through late October and wrap up with pitches to investor audiences in New York and California.Benefits include weekly fundraising-focused programming and mock investor meetings on topics such as funding sources and valuation, the amount you should seek to raise, milestones, data rooms, and finding investors and how to go through this process with them.MoneyThe MIT delta v organizing team, in conjunction with the advisory board assigned to your team, will determine the amount of milestone money, if any, to be awarded each month. You have the ability to receive additional funding up to $20,000 in milestone money during the duration of MIT delta v.Only current MIT students, as defined in the “Eligibility” section, are eligible to receive the $2,600/month fellowships. Only students listed in the submitted application will be eligible as well.The fellowships will only be awarded during June, July, and August. The MIT delta v organizing team, in conjunction with the advisory board, will determine which team members will receive the fellowships. In general, a team member needs to be founder-level and work full-time at the MIT delta v site to receive money for a particular month.Remember that all payments are considered income and are therefore taxable. Non-U.S. citizens are typically subject to a 14% tax withholding from any money they receive. We do not provide tax guidance.

What's the application process like for Forum Ventures?Editor's Note:According to founders, the Forum Ventures application process combined an online application, interviews, and customer references in a streamlined approach that emphasized mutual fit, startup potential, and a discovery-oriented experience tailored for B2B SaaS startups.Here’s what the founders had to say about the structure of Forum Ventures’ application process…One founder’s application to Forum Ventures involved an initial outreach from the accelerator, an informational call for mutual learning, followed by a structured process of interviews, with the decision influenced by the program’s specialized focus on B2B SaaS startups, offering tailored support and relevant resources.Another founder’s application to Forum Ventures started with an online application and followed by interviews to explore the startup’s vision and assess mutual fit for growth support.A third founder remembered the application involving submitting an online form, an interview with the cohort’s program manager, and providing three customer references.For other founders, a pitch submission, forms, a video demo, and video interviews were also involved.What are some tips for acing the application?Editor's Note:Founders recommended engaging with the Forum Ventures community on LinkedIn to stay updated and visible, and emphasize showing customer traction and a grand vision in applications, as these elements demonstrate viability and growth potential, significantly boosting the application’s appeal to accelerators and VC-minded investors.Here are the founders’ tips on Forum Ventures’ application process…One founder advised actively engaging with the Forum Ventures community, following their LinkedIn for updates on events and deadlines, and interacting with their posts to increase visibility and stay informed about opportunities, emphasizing that such engagement can significantly enhance an application by demonstrating interest and initiative.Another founder emphasized prioritizing customer acquisition to demonstrate traction and solid unit economics, suggesting that retaining and expanding customer contracts showcases viability. They also recommended pairing this with a grand vision for substantial growth to cater to accelerators and investors with a VC mindset.Does Forum Ventures provide funding for equity?Editor's Note:According to the founders, Forum Ventures offers flexible funding options to startups, including cash for equity deals and SAFE notes for early-stage financing without immediate valuation, reflecting a commitment to invest up to $100,000 with evolving practices like rolling intake and a pre-seed level fund. Here’s what the founders had to say about Forum Ventures’ funding support…Forum Ventures offers funding options to admitted startups, previously including $50,000 for 5% equity or $100,000 for 7% equity, with the flexibility for startups to choose based on their comfort with equity exchange, and a continued commitment to invest up to $100,000 in each joining startup.Forum Ventures provided funding through a SAFE note based on a million-dollar valuation, offering an upfront $100,000 USD investment for equity, with evolving practices including a transition to rolling intake and operation of a pre-seed level fund, reflecting their continued financial support for startups in their programs.Upon joining, Forum Ventures provided immediate funding in exchange for equity, though the exact model and amount may have changed since the founder’s experience.The investment from Forum Ventures was made through a SAFE note, a simple and efficient early-stage financing agreement that enables startups to receive funding without setting an immediate valuation, with standardized terms and equity details publicly accessibleHow is Forum Ventures' program structured?Editor's Note:A typical day at Forum Ventures varied from virtual engagement and mentorship for startups, to structured programs with expert coaching, and in-person sessions for deep dives with industry leaders, all within a community-centric environment featuring collaborative platforms like Slack to enhance support and learning. Here’s what founders had to say about Forum Ventures’ program structure…A typical day at Forum Ventures involved participating in a virtual program, engaging with an extensive network of mentors and supporters, weekly personalized one-on-one sessions with a managing director who had a strong finance background, and benefiting from the openness and engagement of the community without geographic limitations.During COVID, the founder’s daily routine at Forum Ventures featured a 16-week program with structured sessions every other day, including coaching by experienced professionals, rigorous schedules, pitch days, and investor weeks, all coordinated to facilitate opportunities to present to potential investors.Pre-COVID, one founder attended Forum Ventures in-person, flying weekly to San Francisco for hands-on initiatives and benefiting from intimate mentorship sessions with leaders like the CEO of Gainsight, which provided valuable insights applicable to their post-revenue startup with existing customers.Within Forum Ventures, days featured insightful lectures and a collaborative Slack channel for mentorship and advice, enriched by a “five-minute favor” initiative that fostered a strong sense of community and support among current participants and alumni, particularly benefiting product launches and collaborative efforts.The sessions were intimate, with 10 to 12 participants for in-depth discussions, highly beneficial for our post-revenue startup with existing customers, making the insights directly applicable and valuable.Jon Corrin, Co-Founder & CEO @ XILO’sWhat are some standout aspects of the program?Editor's Note:Founders highlighted Forum Ventures’ B2B SaaS focus and investor network, structured guidance at the pre-seed stage, sales mentorship and access to high-caliber professionals, and the transformative mentorship and environment as key elements that stood out, significantly influencing their startups’ growth and development trajectories.Here’s what the founders had to say about Forum Ventures’ standout features…Its B2B SaaS specialization, offering tailored advice and resources, and the access to a curated network of investors, simplifying the fundraising process and significantly enhancing their startup’s exposure and growth opportunities.The standout feature of Forum Ventures for one founder was its provision of a clear roadmap and structured guidance at the pre-seed stage, offering personalized feedback that saved time, effort, and steered them away from costly mistakes, illuminating their path in the startup journey.For this founder, Forum Ventures stood out for its sales mentorship and access to high-caliber professionals, providing invaluable guidance for structuring their sales organization and offering exposure to executives from renowned companies, significantly benefiting their growth and development.Their mentorship and overall environment shaped our approach to business, making Forum Ventures instrumental in our trajectory.Forum Ventures have been pivotal in shaping our approach to building and running our business, highlighting the profound influence the program has had on our trajectory.Ted Spare, Co-Founder & CEO @ Rubric Lab

We help early-stage founders turn bold ideas into sustainable, high-impact businesses. Our programs open doors to capital and support entrepreneurs tackling social, economic, and environmental challenges across the globe.With more than 150 accelerators under our belt, we provide founders with practical tools to boost efficiency, strengthen resilience, and build inclusive, purpose-driven companies.If you're an entrepreneur looking for support, explore the upcoming opportunities to join our programs.

The Google for Startups Accelerator is a series of equity-free programs designed to support high-potential startups around the world.Each cohort selects 10–15 startups for a 10-week hybrid program that blends remote sessions with in-person events. Founders receive hands-on mentorship from Google experts, in-depth technical guidance, and workshops on product design, customer acquisition, leadership, and more — all supported by Google’s global network of industry specialists.“We gained deep product insights from the mentors,” says Wayne Silbermann, Co-Founder of Sortd.“Leaders Lab and OKRs helped our leadership team align, and Design Sprints gave us a practical way to learn from users early.”The program focuses on the specific challenges each startup faces. Founders outline their biggest roadblocks, and Google’s mentors and industry partners work with them directly to refine product strategy, improve scalability, and sharpen go-to-market plans.Startups accepted into the accelerator gain a wide range of benefits:Cloud credits: Up to US$350,000 in Google Cloud credits for early-stage companiesTechnical expertise: Direct support from Google engineers and AI specialistsWorkshops & bootcamps: Sessions on product design, growth strategy, leadership, and moreNetworking: Access to investors, ecosystem leaders, and partners through Demo Days and eventsEquity-free support: Founders keep full ownership of their companies

Launched in 2023, a16z Speedrun is a 12-week accelerator from Andreessen Horowitz built for early-stage founders at the intersection of technology, AI, and entertainment. Despite being new, it has already deployed over $100 million into more than 120 startups, quickly becoming a launchpad for fast-moving innovation.Speedrun runs two cohorts each year — a summer batch in Los Angeles and a winter batch in San Francisco. The program focuses on next-gen tools, 3D, gaming, XR, and platforms shaping the future of creative and AI-powered industries.Founders accepted into Speedrun receive funding plus direct access to a16z’s global network of operators, product leaders, and investors. The curriculum is built around rapid product validation, go-to-market strategy, and scaling in competitive environments, supported by 1:1 mentorship and peer learning.Applications are open to founders from anywhere in the world.

With locations in California and New York, AngelPad has supported more than 180 startups since 2010, including well-known names like Postmates, Buffer, and AllTrails. The team intentionally keeps the program small, choosing to work with only a handful of startups so they can stay true to their mission: partnering closely with companies they genuinely believe in.Every six months, AngelPad selects about 15 teams for an intensive three-month program.Each startup receives $120,000 in funding, plus up to $300,000 in cloud credits from AWS, Google, and DigitalOcean.Throughout the program, AngelPad helps founders tackle the essentials: finding product-market fit, defining the right target market, and validating their business for the first time.The program is built around one-on-one mentorship, a tight-knit cohort community, and warm introductions to experts and investors.To apply, you visit their homepage, complete an online application, and go through an interview. AngelPad is one of the most selective accelerators in the world, with an acceptance rate of under 1%.

StartX has helped launch 332 startups and is deeply connected to the tech ecosystem through its partnership with Stanford University.Its portfolio includes companies like EdCast, Nearpod, and eero (acquired by Amazon).StartX doesn’t invest directly, but it offers equity-free support, including 1:1 mentorship, educational seminars, and a strong entrepreneurial community.Founders also receive over $1.2M in free resources, such as office space, legal support, and other essential services.Beyond mentorship and investor access, StartX gives founders a direct path to top Stanford talent for building their teams.Additionally, StartX companies benefit from access to a network of 700+ customers across their broader founder and corporate community.

Innovation Works is a Pennsylvania-based startup accelerator that has supported more than 530 startups, including companies like RE2 Robotics, Cognition Therapeutics, and Nowait (acquired by Yelp).They provide $100,000 to $150,000 in funding through a convertible note, with the exact amount based on your commercialization plans, funding needs, and runway.Innovation Works focuses on helping founders quickly build and scale early-stage tech companies, especially in the areas of product development and early customer acquisition.Their core philosophy is:“Engage with your customers early and often to find real product-market fit through rapid iteration.”The program includes access to mentors, industry experts, alumni, weekly sessions led by leaders in the field, office space, and the investment support mentioned above.

Since 2009, MassChallenge has supported more than 3,000 startups, with portfolio companies like Ginkgo Bioworks, Ginger, and Thinx.MassChallenge is unique because it doesn’t take equity. Instead, they run zero-equity programs with a competition-based model, where founders and alumni compete for cash prizes.To apply, you create a founder profile on their website and submit an application. Each application is reviewed by members of MassChallenge’s international judging community. At least three judges will evaluate your submission, and you’ll receive personalized feedback from all of them.If you advance, you’ll be invited to an interview where you pitch to a panel of judges from various industries. You’ll receive detailed feedback on your pitch, whether you are accepted or not.The program is virtual and runs for three months, with curriculum sessions three days a week. These include live talks, workshops, themed roundtables, and events focused on three core areas:Goal settingAccess to curated mentorsPeer support and collaborationYou’ll also take part in virtual networking sessions, social events, office hours, and an additional month of extended opportunities.The program concludes with a Demo Day, giving you the chance to present your startup to investors and industry leaders.

Based in New Jersey, SOSV has helped launch more than 2,300 startups, including companies like Roadie, Perfect Day, and Motiv.SOSV runs several industry-focused accelerator programs covering hard tech, enterprise solutions, life sciences, mobile apps, decentralization, and blockchain.Their programs last 3 to 6 months and are highly competitive, with an acceptance rate below 5%.They offer access to a global network of 2,000+ founders and more than 1,000 mentors. Most programs include an investment of $150,000 to $250,000, with equity taken based on the amount invested.After completing a program, SOSV continues to support founders through follow-on investment. They typically contribute up to 20% of subsequent seed or series rounds. In 2021 alone, SOSV invested $46 million in post-program funding.You can apply for the program that best fits your startup through their website. The process includes an application form followed by an interview for shortlisted founders.

Plug and Play Tech Center is a California-based accelerator founded in 2006. Since then, they’ve helped more than 1,360 startups launch successfully. Their portfolio features well-known companies like Dropbox, CourseHero, and LendingClub.Plug and Play typically invests $50,000 to $250,000 in startups from Pre-Seed to Series A. Startups may also receive up to $1M in follow-on funding directly from Plug and Play.There’s no fixed equity amount, but ownership stakes usually range from 1% to 5%, depending on the investment size.You can apply through their online application. Their Ventures Team reviews each submission and will reach out to schedule a call if you’re a good fit.Plug and Play supports a wide range of industries—including AgTech, IoT, Fintech, and Enterprise Software. Startups accepted into the program gain access to:Venture capital fundingExperienced, world-class mentorsOver 500 corporate partners for pitching and guidanceDaily networking events (more than 1,300 events worldwide in 2021)A network of 300+ venture capitalists across multiple sectorsOffice space in the heart of Silicon Valley

With more than 2,700 startups funded, 500 Startups is another major player in the accelerator world. Their portfolio includes well-known companies like Udemy, Talkdesk, and Canva.Every accepted startup receives a $150,000 investment in exchange for 6% equity.500 Startups runs several accelerator programs across the U.S. You can apply directly through their website or via AngelList.Once you submit your application, you may be invited to an interview day, which includes three back-to-back interviews with members of the investment team. They recommend reserving about three hours, although the process can be quicker.Common interview themes include:How does your startup work?What evidence shows it’s working?Why do you want to join 500 Startups?If accepted, you’ll join a four-month, in-person program at your chosen location. Their mentors include operators and experts from companies like PayPal, Google, YouTube, Apple, Twitter, and others.Alongside hands-on mentorship, the program offers talks and office hours on distribution, customer acquisition, UX, design, fundraising, and more.A typical week at 500 Startups includes:Weekly all-hands roundupRegular touchpoints with mentors and advisorsFireside sessions and brainstorming breakoutsWeekly talks from successful tech foundersThe program wraps up with a Demo Day, where you present your company to investors and industry leaders.

Next on the list is Techstars, which has backed more than 3,500 startups, including well-known names like Uber, Twilio, and DigitalOcean.Techstars invests up to $120,000 in each company. This includes $20,000 upfront plus the right to purchase 6% of your fully diluted shares at your next qualified financing round (typically when you raise $250,000+). The 6% common stock is issued right before that financing event. Full investment terms are available on the Techstars website.You apply through an online form, which usually takes 2–5 hours to complete. Many founders speak with Techstars mentors beforehand to make sure their application communicates their startup clearly and effectively.If your application makes it through the initial review, you’ll receive an invitation to a two-round interview, usually within four weeks. Common interview questions include:If I gave you $200K to hire people, who would you hire?Who are your target customers?What outcome are you hoping to achieve by joining Techstars?What are your most important leading indicators or KPIs this week?How did you validate this market, and how big is the opportunity?If you pass the interview rounds, you’ll meet with the Techstars screening committee, which includes the managing director, program manager, mentors, and corporate partners. Clear that stage, and you officially join the three-month Techstars program.Month 1 is all about building your network. You’ll meet around 100 mentors from the Techstars ecosystem—experts across product, marketing, leadership, hiring, fundraising, and more.Month 2 is about execution. You’ll use what you learned to push your startup forward: building product milestones, hitting KPIs, onboarding early users, or sharpening your business model.Month 3 focuses on storytelling and fundraising. You’ll polish your pitch deck, develop investor materials, and practice communicating your vision to customers, investors, and future team members. The month ends with Demo Day.After the program, Techstars continues supporting founders through its alumni network and ongoing mentorship.

Y Combinator is one of the most well-known startup accelerators in the world. They’ve helped launch more than 4,000 companies, including Stripe, Airbnb, Coinbase, and Twitch.If you get accepted, YC invests a total of $500,000 through two SAFE agreements:$125,000 for 7% equity (post-money SAFE)$375,000 on an uncapped SAFE with MFN termsYou can apply online, but you must own at least 10% of your company to be considered.After applying, your team may be invited for an interview.If accepted, you join the next YC batch.The program runs for three months and is currently remote. During the batch, you get access to mentorship, top speakers, group office hours, and the well-known Demo Day.Even after the three months end, YC continues supporting founders with mentorship, warm introductions, and ongoing access to the YC alumni network.

Soma Fellows is a program for exceptional student builders or founders creating the next generation of transformative companies. We provide up to $1M in uncapped SAFE funding and access to our world-class network of investors, founders, and industry leaders.Soma Capital Fellowship OverviewHere’s a quick snapshot of what the Soma Capital Fellowship offers in terms of structure, funding, and focus areas:Program Type: Fully remote with optional in-person networking events (e.g., dinners, NBA games)Location: Global (remote access)Investment: $100,000 via uncapped SAFEEquity Taken: 0% equityProgram Duration: 6 weeks to 3 months (varies by cohort)Program Fee: NoneStage: Pre-seed / idea stage to early tractionIndustries of Focus: AI, B2B SaaS, deep tech, technical innovationPro Tip: Best suited for technical founders with high-potential ideas—not for traditional e-commerce or consumer goods startups.

SPC’s Founder Fellowship is a different way for entrepreneurs to start a high growth, venture-scale startup. We give founders their first outside investment, help them ideate and iterate to a viable product, and assist them in raising from the best VCs in the world. As a founder fellow, you become a lifetime member of the South Park Commons community.We take a boutique approach to helping founders. Our cohort sizes are small, with one partner for every two companies. We do not have a demo day, and when the time is right for you to raise, we’ll make introductions to the best investors. We do not force strict timelines.We offer $400,000 in exchange for 7% equity via a SAFE, plus $600,000 guaranteed in your next venture round. We help you identify the right market, support you as you build your first product, find your first customers and teammates, and help you raise follow-on funding.We group Fellows into two cohorts a year, with applications deadlines ahead of the cohort start date. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis while the application is open. We fund teams immediately on acceptance to the program, even if the official start date isn't for a while.

Alchemist Chicago, a premier early-stage startup accelerator focused on foundational technology, is a partnership between Alchemist and the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.Alchemist Chicago serves as a bridge to the University of Chicago’s world-class research institutions and talent networks. Strategically located near legacy-industry hubs ripe for disruption, it connects deep tech founders to Silicon Valley’s best practices, capital, and global networks, positioning them to transform scientific breakthroughs into market-defining companies.Up to 30 startups will be selected to participate in Phase 1, led by Polsky Center, from which a select group of up to 10 will be chosen to continue to Phase 2, Alchemist Accelerator’s flagship global program.The Polsky Center draws on the University of Chicago’s leading research in the sciences, national laboratory affiliations, and partnership with the top-ranked Booth School of Business to help startups reduce risk as they position their innovations for real-world impact. We strongly encourage quantum technology startups to apply to Alchemist Chicago. The program brings together tailored support built for the unique challenges inherent in building a quantum company. From strategic partnerships with IBM to mentorship with industry leaders, commercialization pathways, and investor networks, we encourage you to join the program that has built successes such as Rigetti, BosonQ, and qBraid -- the program that gives quantum founders the resources and connections to scale faster.Key Industries Include: Quantum – Backed by Duality, the nation’s first quantum acceleratorAI InfrastructureRobotics and Physical AICleantechAdvanced MaterialsAdvanced ManufacturingAgtech/FoodtechSpacetechOther Deep Tech Industries

Alliance is a crypto-focused startup accelerator that provides support for blockchain and Web3 founders at all stages of development.

Formed as a partnership between the Haas School of Business, the College of Engineering, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, SkyDeck combines the consulting know-how of traditional accelerators with the vast resources of its research university.This robust partnership is coupled with SkyDeck’s unique mentorship program to create a powerful environment for startups. Its SkyAdvisors, Partners, and large network of accredited investors connect their SkyTeams to the expertise and capital they need to launch and grow…to the moon.

Conviction is a new venture firm built specifically for the next generation of AI-native, “Software 3.0” companies—the ones poised to become tomorrow’s defining businesses. If Software 1.0 was driven by human-written code, and Software 2.0 by labeled datasets, Software 3.0 is powered by the ability to shape and steer foundation models. We’re still in the earliest phase of turning these models into real products that reshape entire industries.Pushing into frontiers like this can feel exciting, strange, and a bit lonely. That’s why small, tight-knit communities matter. To support founders working at the edge of AI, we created Embed—an invitation-only program for exceptional early teams. Embed brings together a deep network, hard-earned company-building insight, and an AI-native community where founders learn from each other and gain an edge.We’ve already run three cohorts and had the privilege of working with teams behind Chai, Cognition, Listen Labs, Physical Intelligence, Pika Labs, Reflection, Somite, Yutori, and others. And we’re just getting started.