Startups are constantly seeking innovative ways to scale and thrive. The journey from an idea to a successful business is lined with challenges, and navigating this path often requires more than a brilliant idea. This is where startup accelerators come into play, offering a lifeline to emerging businesses with the promise of growth, mentorship, and invaluable resources.
With a commitment to helping companies gain market share and achieve transformative growth, Market Rising presents the Top 15 Startup Accelerators of 2024. Whether you're seeking to disrupt industries or revolutionize the way we live and work, the right accelerator can make all the difference.
Established in 2005, Y Combinator (YC) is a trailblazer in the startup accelerator space. It offers two three-month programs annually to transform startups into more successful ventures. During these programs, startups work intensely on their products and fundraising strategies amidst a supportive community.
YC is known for its influential network and its intense, productive atmosphere. With an investment of $500,000 in every company, YC has been a crucial launchpad for over 4,000 startups, including tech giants.
How to Apply for Funding: Startups can apply through YC's website, detailing their business for consideration in one of the biannual cohorts.
Impact on Startups: With more than 4000 startups funded and total funding raised over $34 billion, YC has facilitated significant exits valued collectively at over $6 billion. Top companies like Airbnb, Stripe, and Instacart started here.
Since its inception in 2006, Techstars has become a global accelerator offering mentorship-driven programs in over 15 countries. It focuses on technology-oriented companies, providing $100,000 in funding for a stake in the company alongside extensive support and networking opportunities. Techstars is renowned for its global presence and the diversity of its portfolio, supporting entrepreneurs across various sectors and stages.
How to Apply for Funding: Interested startups can apply through the official Techstars website, selecting from available programs or submitting a general interest form.
Impact on Startups: Techstars has funded 3,547 startups with a total exit value of $3.5 billion. Notable companies include DigitalOcean and Grove.
As a global venture capital firm, 500 Startups offers a 4-month seed program in San Francisco, providing $150,000 in funding for 6% equity. The program emphasizes community, support, and global connections. With a portfolio of over 2,600 companies and a focus on diverse sectors and geographic markets, 500 Startups significantly impacts the global startup ecosystem.
How to Apply for Funding: Applications for the San Francisco seed program are available on their website.
Impact on Startups: 500 Startups has a vast portfolio, including Canva and Reddit, and has raised over $2.4 billion in assets under management, backing founders in over 80 countries.
As a nonprofit accelerator founded in 2009, MassChallenge supports startups without taking equity. It offers a four-month program focusing on mentorship, growth, and networking, culminating in the opportunity to win cash prizes. MassChallenge stands out for its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs across all industries, especially those in high-impact sectors, without requiring equity.
How to Apply for Funding: Startups can apply by registering and submitting their application through the MassChallenge website.
Impact on Startups: With over 2,103 startups funded, MassChallenge has been instrumental in the growth of companies like Kickstarter and Bitso, fostering innovation across various sectors.
AngelPad, a seed-stage accelerator program based in New York and San Francisco, has catalyzed over 150 companies, offering a blend of capital, mentoring, and strategic guidance. With an average capital infusion of $14 million per company, AngelPad focuses on intensive, three-month programs for about 15 teams selected from a large pool of applicants to fine-tune aspects like product-market fit and investor readiness. Recognized annually as the Top US Accelerator by MIT's Seed Accelerator Benchmark since 2015, AngelPad boasts a compelling success record, with its startups raising over $2.2 billion in total funding. This distinction underlines its exceptional approach and the impactful mentorship it provides to the chosen few.
How to Apply: Startups can apply through AngelPad's application process, selecting from 2,000 candidates for an immersive experience to accelerate growth and facilitate investor meetings.
Impact on Startups: 179 startups were funded, and $2.2 billion in total funding was raised, with notable exits valued at $918,250,000. Top companies include Buffer and Postmates.
As a nonprofit global competition and accelerator, MedTech Innovator is dedicated to advancing medical device, digital health, and diagnostic firms. Through partnerships with leading manufacturers and health providers, they offer a platform for startups to connect, receive mentorship, and compete for funding in a sector-focused environment. MedTech Innovator's role as a major facilitator in the healthcare innovation ecosystem is underscored by its expansive reach, funding of over 612 companies, and significant contribution to the sector's financing, with about 30% of all MedTech funding in Q1 2023 going to its graduates.
How to Apply: Applications for their diverse programs, including special focuses like the Asia Pacific region and BioTools Innovator, are available on their official website.
Impact on Startups: 421 startups funded, with a strong history of success: 95% of portfolio companies are still in business or have been acquired.
Boost VC is a venture capital firm leading leads pre-seed rounds for deep tech startups. Focusing on sectors such as aerospace, VR/AR, and robotics, it offers a $500,000 investment and a three-month onboarding program to help startups connect with investors and networks. With over 250 companies in its portfolio, Boost VC's commitment to innovative startups with a global perspective and long-term vision stands out, highlighting its role in supporting the next generation of technology leaders.
How to Apply: Startups can apply through Boost VC's application process for an opportunity to receive investment and mentoring.
Impact on Startups: 423 startups funded, with 132 exits and notable companies like Coinbase under its belt.
Amplify. LA is a pre-seed fund that supports early-phase startups, particularly in technology, by providing seed funding, office space, reduced services, and access to a vast mentor network. They emphasize assisting Los Angeles-based startups and investing in companies from other states or countries. With investments in over 153 companies, Amplify. LA's approach to helping tech founders from the ground up and its successful exits, such as Bitium (acquired by Google), showcase its effective support system and network.
How to Apply: Startups can contact Amplify, LA's contact platform, for funding and support opportunities.
Impact on Startups: 153 startups were funded, with a total of $585,983,591 and a portfolio that includes companies like Abstract and Card.com.
AlphaLab offers a rigorous four-month program for early-stage software startups, providing investment, mentorship, and a tailored program designed to help founders refine their products and prepare for fundraising. As a founding member of the Global Accelerator Network, AlphaLab distinguishes itself with a high success rate, with its companies securing over $150 million in follow-on funding. Its focus on individualized attention and its success stories, such as companies being acquired by giants like Amazon, highlight its impactful approach.
How to Apply: Applications are open to startups seeking investment and program participation, detailed on AlphaLab's website.
Impact on Startups: 156 startups were funded, with $150 million in additional capital raised post-program.
RevUp by Betaspring is a capital firm based in Providence, Rhode Island. It offers a unique, non-dilutive funding model for B2B and B2C companies in the growth stage. They specialize in helping companies with annual revenues between $500K and $3M scale up without sacrificing equity. Their funding model is designed to support customer-focused, revenue-driven startups on a path toward profitable growth.
How to Apply: Startups interested in RevUp's funding should complete a pre-screening form on their website.
Impact on Startups: Over 130 startups founded, with over $67 million raised.
JumpStart Foundry (JSF) is a Nashville-based healthcare pre-seed fund dedicated to positively impacting the healthcare industry. It invests in and supports early-stage healthcare startups with innovative solutions in health technology, digital health, diagnostic devices, and consumer health. With investments in over 150 companies across 35 states, JSF has a wide-reaching influence in the healthcare sector.
Application Process: Applications are open year-round, with two investment rounds in April and November. Applicants can fill out a form on their website.
Impact on Startups: 171 startups were founded, and $26 million was raised in funding.
The Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator, based in the heart of Manhattan, New York City, is renowned for being the city's largest accelerator program. It offers an impressive mentor network exceeding 500 industry experts across various domains, such as finance, development, marketing, and sales. The accelerator provides two annual four-month programs to turn early-stage ideas into venture-scalable businesses.
Startups partake in an intensive program that includes $150K in initial investment, potential for follow-on funding, office space, and benefits from partners like Microsoft and Google Cloud Platform. To date, alumni companies have raised over $2 billion in investor capital,
Application Process: Prospective startups can apply for the program by visiting ERA's official website and looking for the application section related to their upcoming cohorts.
Impact on Startups: Alumni companies raised over $2 billion, with a collective market cap exceeding $10 billion.
Blue Startups is a Top 20 US Accelerator, part of the Global Accelerator Network, focusing on scalable technology companies aiming for global competition. It is located in Honolulu, Hawaii, and offers a 13-week intensive program for up to 10 companies per session. It provides mentorship, seed funding up to $100,000 per company, introductions to investors, and strategic support in the software, travel, tourism, and sustainability sectors.
Its strategic location and commitment to diversifying Hawaii's economy through technology entrepreneurship make Blue Startups a unique accelerator. It has been pivotal in establishing "Startup Paradise," a burgeoning startup ecosystem in Honolulu.
Application Process: Applications can be submitted through their official website, which provides details about the opening and closing dates.
Impact on Startups: 117 startups funded with a total of $70,373,545 raised, contributing significantly to Hawaii's tech and tourism sectors.
The Portland Seed Fund is a leading early-stage venture fund in Portland, Oregon, focusing on the Pacific Northwest region. It offers an accelerator program emphasizing growth, financial planning, team development, and access to further financing. PSF has invested $8 million in over 200 businesses, raising over $1.5 billion from external sources. PSF distinguishes itself with a commitment to ethical investing, efficiency, and support for diversity.
Over half of the PSF-funded companies include women or people of color on their founding team, highlighting their focus on inclusivity and local development.
Application Process: Interested startups are encouraged to contact PSF through their official website for information on applying to their program.
Impact on Startups: 215 startups funded, with $70,222,879 raised, making a significant mark on Portland's business landscape by fostering a diverse and inclusive community of innovative companies.
Founded in 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri, SixThirty is a groundbreaking venture capital firm that fosters innovation at the crossroads of finance, health, privacy, and insurance. As one of the nation's major hubs for financial services, St. Louis provides the perfect backdrop for SixThirty's mission: supporting early-stage FinTech companies poised for substantial growth. SixThirty's unique approach to investment sets it apart.
The company doesn't just provide funding; it offers an invaluable platform for collaboration and growth. With a keen focus on sectors like fintech, insurtech, digital health, and privacy, SixThirty harnesses technology, data, and socio-economic trends to spearhead transformations in these fields. The firm invests in global ideas, leveraging its worldwide team and corporate LP network to maintain a comprehensive perspective on industry innovations.
Application and Funding Process: Interested startups can apply for funding by visiting SixThirty's official website to find relevant dates and application information. The firm provides up to $250,000 in exchange for equity, typically less than 10%.
Impact on Startups: 73 startups and 32 exits, with a total funding amount raised of $90 million.
As we've explored the top 15 startup accelerators of 2024, it's clear that for entrepreneurs at various stages, these programs offer a unique blend of mentorship, financial backing, and invaluable networking opportunities. They can compress years of growth into a handful of transformative months. If you're on the brink of choosing an accelerator to catapult your business forward, remember the pivotal role of guidance and support in scaling your venture.
This is where Market Rising comes into the picture. We're a modernized, consultative business firm that specializes in building scalable programs, systems, and processes to boost revenue and fortify organizational health. If you're ready to accelerate your journey with a tailored, holistic approach to business growth, contact us to schedule a call.