Definition

What is a startup accelerator?

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A startup accelerator, sometimes referred to as a seed accelerator, is a business program that supports early-stage, growth-driven companies through education, mentorship and financing. Startups typically enter accelerators for a fixed period of time and as part of a cohort of companies. While accelerator programs can provide beneficial resources to organizations at all stages of development, most focus on those that are pre-revenue.

Startups that want to join an accelerator submit an application and are often admitted in batches split up throughout the year. Once the startup is accepted, the startup accelerator will provide resources and services such as guest speakers, advising hours, a negotiated amount of capital and sometimes a shared coworking space. Term periods average around three to four months and require around 3% to 8% ownership of the startup. The assistance of an accelerator ends with a "graduation" or demo day, when startups present their work and proceed independently.

The most popular sectors for startup accelerators include tech hardware, artificial intelligence and biotech, and many big brand names have received early assistance from accelerators. Silicon Valley accelerator Plug and Play Tech Center helped Google, PayPal and Zoosk transform their ideas into businesses.

Other well-known accelerators include Y Combinator, which launched Airbnb, Dropbox and Reddit; and Techstars, which has sponsored over 21 startups.

Diagram of the product development process.
The proof-of-concept stage, a key part of the product development process, is often where startups originate. Startup accelerators can help these fledgling companies flesh out their ideas throughout the product development process.

History of startup accelerators

The first independent startup accelerator was Y Combinator, which was originally started in Cambridge, Mass., but then moved to Silicon Valley. After this business model proved successful, seed accelerator programs began growing rapidly across the United States and Europe.

By 2015, financial research firm PitchBook observed that around one-third of startups that achieved funding went through an accelerator. In recent years, the number and diversity of accelerator programs have continued to grow, with many focusing on specific industries, stages of development or regions.

In addition to independent startup accelerators, large corporations have begun to create their own accelerator programs that follow similar principles, but are usually focused on more specific categories. Corporate accelerators, such as Google Launchpad and Microsoft Accelerator, offer startups unique opportunities to leverage the resources and expertise of established companies.

Accelerators are also helping to expand startup activity beyond tech hubs such as Silicon Valley and the Boston-Washington corridor. Regions across the globe are now fostering vibrant startup ecosystems, with accelerators playing a key role in supporting innovation in diverse locations.

Startup accelerators vs. alternatives

Startup accelerators are often confused with other forms of early-stage, institutional support like startup incubators, angel investors and venture capitalists. Accelerators tend to differentiate in that they are fixed-term, short-term, cohort-based and mentorship-driven.

Other components that are often solely associated with startup accelerators are competitive application processes, a seed capital investment in exchange for equity and education for the entire team rather than just the founder.

Application process for startup accelerators

The application process for accelerators is competitive, with many startups vying for limited spots. Applicants often need to provide detailed business plans, market analyses and pitches that demonstrate their potential for growth and innovation. Some accelerators might also require interviews or presentations as part of their selection process.

List of the tenets of startup culture.
Startup accelerators support startup culture by emphasizing agility, risk-taking and collaboration.

Pros and cons of startup accelerators

The benefits of being admitted into an accelerator are seed capital, an instant network of contacts, access to mentors, educational programming and higher odds of success. The intensive support and resources provided can significantly accelerate a startup's growth and development.

However, success is not guaranteed after graduation from the program. Accelerators are also becoming more popular, making the need to stand out during and after the process more crucial. Additionally, giving up equity can be a downside for some founders, and the short duration of the program might not be sufficient for all startups to achieve their goals.

Role of mentors in a startup accelerator

Mentorship is a critical component of accelerator programs. Experienced entrepreneurs, industry experts and investors provide guidance and advice to startups, helping them navigate challenges and make strategic decisions.

Mentors also help startups build networks and gain access to valuable resources and opportunities.

Measuring success in a startup accelerator

Accelerators measure success through various metrics. These include the number of startups that secure follow-on funding, the growth rate of participating companies and the success stories of alumni.

Demo days, where startups pitch to potential investors, are key events that often serve as milestones for measuring the impact of the accelerator program.

Examples of successful startup accelerators

Well-known examples of startups that have seen success after participating in accelerator programs include the following:

  • Dropbox. Graduated from Y Combinator in 2007 and became a leading file hosting service.
  • Airbnb. Also a Y Combinator alumnus, Airbnb transformed the hospitality industry with its innovative home-sharing platform.
  • SendGrid. Joined Techstars in 2009 and grew into a prominent email delivery service, eventually being acquired by Twilio.
  • ClassPass. Part of Techstars, ClassPass revolutionized the fitness industry by offering a subscription service for fitness classes.

These examples demonstrate the potential impact of startup accelerators in helping early-stage companies achieve significant growth and success.

Explore the differences between a startup culture and an established company's work environment.

This was last updated in September 2024

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