A startup accelerator is a fixed-term program that helps early-stage founders grow faster through mentoring, connections to investors and customers, and often an investment in exchange for equity. The best ones can shape a company’s first years: Y Combinator alone has backed Airbnb, Stripe, DoorDash and Coinbase.
This guide compares the leading accelerators in 2026 and groups them by how they work: programs that take equity, equity-free programs, and government-backed programs. For each one we show what it offers, what it asks in return, and who it suits.
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Startup Accelerators Compared
| Accelerator | Type | Location | Investment & terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y Combinator | Equity | San Francisco | $500K: 7% for $125K + $375K uncapped SAFE |
| Techstars | Equity | Worldwide | $220K: 5% for $20K + $200K uncapped SAFE |
| a16z speedrun | Equity | San Francisco | Up to $1M: 10% for $500K + $500K in next round |
| Entrepreneur First | Equity | London, Paris, Bangalore, San Francisco | Grant, then up to $250K |
| Antler | Equity | About 30 locations | Varies by location |
| 500 Global | Equity | Global | Typically $150K for 6% |
| SOSV (HAX, IndieBio) | Equity | San Francisco, New York, Newark | Varies by program |
| Alchemist Accelerator | Equity | San Francisco and online | Varies |
| gener8tor | Equity | Across the US | $100K for equity |
| Forum Ventures | Equity | New York-based | $100K |
| Startup Wise Guys | Equity | Estonia and online | Up to €100K convertible |
| Startupbootcamp | Equity | Multiple cities | Varies by program |
| Founder Institute | Equity | Chapters worldwide | No cash; 2.5% warrant + fee |
| Seedstars | Equity | Emerging markets | Varies |
| MassChallenge | Equity-free | US, Switzerland and more | No equity; prizes available |
| Plug and Play | Equity-free | 60+ locations | No equity for most programs |
| StartX | Equity-free | Palo Alto | No equity, no fees |
| M Accelerator | Equity-free | Los Angeles and online | Mostly equity-free coaching |
| Hub71 Access Programme | Government | Abu Dhabi | AED 500K package (cash via SAFE) |
| Start-Up Chile | Government | Santiago | Up to CLP 30M, equity-free |
| MVPLab (NTDP) | Government | Saudi Arabia | Varies |
| iNNpulsa Colombia | Government | Colombia | Non-repayable funding via open calls |
How to Choose an Accelerator
- Work out the real cost. Many top programs now combine a fixed stake with an uncapped SAFE that converts at your next round. Y Combinator’s 7% for $125,000 comes with another $375,000 that converts later, and Techstars’ 5% comes with $200,000 on the same basis. Model what you will own after your next round, not just the headline percentage.
- Match the program to your stage. Entrepreneur First and Antler take individuals before they have a team or idea. Y Combinator, Techstars and a16z speedrun take companies at any early stage. Programs such as Forum Ventures want a product already in the market.
- Pick a focus that fits. Specialist programs such as SOSV’s HAX for hardware, IndieBio for life sciences or Alchemist for enterprise software bring mentors and investors who know your market.
- Check where you need to be. Most leading programs expect founders in person for the program. Some, such as Hub71 and Start-Up Chile, also help you relocate.
Choosing an accelerator often means choosing an ecosystem. Listen to how founders can pick the right startup ecosystem for their goals.
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Accelerators That Take Equity
These programs take a stake in your company. Most invest money in return, but the amount varies widely, and some, such as the Founder Institute, invest nothing upfront and take equity only once you raise outside funding.
Y Combinator
Location: San Francisco · Investment: $500,000 · Best for: ambitious founders at any early stage
Y Combinator is one of the best-known accelerators in the world, with alumni including Airbnb, Stripe, DoorDash, Instacart and Coinbase. It invests $500,000 in every company: $125,000 for 7%, plus $375,000 on an uncapped MFN SAFE that converts at the next round. YC runs four batches a year, ending in a demo day attended by many of the world’s leading seed investors.
Techstars
Location: programs worldwide · Investment: $220,000 · Best for: founders who want a large global network
Techstars runs accelerators across many cities and industries, often in partnership with corporations and governments. Its standard deal is $220,000: $20,000 for at least 5% equity, plus $200,000 on an uncapped MFN SAFE. Terms differ for programs in Asia-Pacific. There is no fee to join.
a16z speedrun
Location: San Francisco · Investment: up to $1 million · Best for: early-stage AI, games and consumer tech startups
a16z speedrun is Andreessen Horowitz’s accelerator. It invests $500,000 for 10% on a SAFE, plus another $500,000 in the company’s next round if it raises within 18 months. Companies also get more than $5 million in cloud, AI and software credits. Programs run for about three months in San Francisco.
Entrepreneur First
Location: London, Paris, Bangalore and San Francisco · Investment: up to $250,000 · Best for: individuals without a co-founder or idea yet
Entrepreneur First recruits talented individuals, not companies, and helps them find a co-founder and build a startup from scratch. Founders receive an equity-free grant while they look for a co-founder and idea, then up to $250,000 once they form a company, with follow-on investment available through Series B. The program is full-time and in person.
Antler
Location: about 30 locations worldwide · Investment: varies by location · Best for: solo founders looking for a co-founder
Antler is a global early-stage investor that runs residencies where founders meet co-founders, test ideas and build their first product. Terms vary by city. In Singapore, for example, Antler invests $150,000 upfront ($100,000 for 10% plus $50,000 on an uncapped MFN SAFE), with more available as the company grows.
500 Global
Location: global · Investment: typically $150,000 · Best for: startups with early traction, especially in emerging markets
500 Global, formerly 500 Startups, invests in founders around the world and runs a flagship accelerator focused on growth, customer acquisition and fundraising. Its accelerator typically invests $150,000 for 6%. It also runs programs with governments and partners across the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.
SOSV (HAX and IndieBio)
Location: San Francisco, New York and Newark · Investment: varies by program · Best for: hardware, climate and life science startups
SOSV is a deep tech investor that runs two specialist accelerators: HAX for hardware, robotics and climate startups, and IndieBio for life sciences. Both invest in exchange for equity and give startups access to labs, engineering support and SOSV’s follow-on funding.
Alchemist Accelerator
Location: San Francisco and online · Investment: varies · Best for: enterprise software and deep tech
Alchemist is a six-month, seed-stage program for startups that sell to businesses. Classes are limited to about 25 teams, and the program focuses on landing enterprise customers and raising a seed round. Alchemist also runs regional versions of the program.
gener8tor
Location: cities across the US · Investment: $100,000 · Best for: US startups outside the major tech hubs
gener8tor runs 12-week accelerators in cities across the United States, often in partnership with states and local governments. Its investment accelerators put $100,000 into each company in exchange for equity, with terms set by each program. It also runs free, shorter programs such as gBETA that take no equity.
Forum Ventures
Location: New York-based · Investment: $100,000 · Best for: B2B SaaS and AI startups with a product in market
Forum Ventures runs a 16-week accelerator for B2B software startups, taking about 10 companies per cohort. It invests $100,000 and focuses on finding early customers and preparing for a seed round.
Startup Wise Guys
Location: Estonia and online · Investment: up to €100,000 · Best for: B2B startups in Europe
Startup Wise Guys is one of Europe’s most active B2B accelerators, based in Tallinn. Its flagship accelerator invests up to €100,000 as a convertible investment, with a program cost of €35,000, and can follow on with up to €250,000. It also runs an online Founders Club for founders building a team.
Startupbootcamp
Location: multiple cities · Investment: varies by program · Best for: startups in a specific industry
Startupbootcamp runs industry-focused accelerators in areas such as energy and climate, food and agritech, and fintech, each backed by corporate partners in that industry. Terms vary by program.
Founder Institute
Location: chapters worldwide · Investment: none upfront · Best for: first-time founders at the idea stage
The Founder Institute is a pre-seed program for founders turning an idea into a fundable company, with chapters in cities around the world. It charges an entrance fee that varies by chapter and takes a 2.5% warrant that only applies once the company raises outside funding.
Seedstars
Location: emerging markets · Investment: varies · Best for: startups in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East
Seedstars invests in and supports startups in emerging markets, often through regional programs run with governments and development partners. Its programs and funds take separate applications.
Equity-Free Accelerators
These programs take no equity. Most don’t invest money either, but they offer mentoring, corporate connections and, in some cases, prize money. Equity-free doesn’t always mean free to join: some programs, particularly coaching programs, charge a fee, so check the cost before you apply.
MassChallenge
Location: US, Switzerland and other locations · Investment: none (prizes available) · Best for: high-impact startups in any industry
MassChallenge is a nonprofit accelerator that takes no equity and charges no fees. Startups get mentoring, workspace and access to corporate partners, and the strongest can win non-dilutive prize money. Its Switzerland program, for example, offers up to CHF 1 million in prizes.
Plug and Play
Location: 60+ locations · Investment: none for most programs · Best for: startups looking for corporate customers
Plug and Play runs industry-focused accelerators that connect startups with large corporate partners for pilots and deals. Most programs are free and take no equity, as Plug and Play is funded by its corporate partners. It also invests in some startups through its own venture fund.
StartX
Location: Palo Alto · Investment: none · Best for: Stanford-affiliated founders
StartX is a nonprofit accelerator for founders with a Stanford affiliation. It takes no equity and charges no fees, offering a 12-week program, mentoring and access to the Stanford network. A separate StartX fund invests in some companies.
M Accelerator
Location: Los Angeles and online · Investment: none · Best for: founders who want hands-on go-to-market coaching
M Accelerator, run by the venture studio M Studio, offers business coaching focused on go-to-market strategy and the customer journey. It works directly with founders on execution. Its support is equity-free, so check whether a program fee applies.
Government-Backed Programs
These programs are run or funded by governments to grow their startup ecosystems, and several help international founders relocate. Their terms vary: some take equity, such as Hub71, while others, such as Start-Up Chile, provide equity-free funding.
Hub71 Access Programme (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Investment: AED 500,000 package · Best for: pre-seed to Series A startups expanding to the Middle East
Hub71’s Access Programme is a 12-month program for startups that move to Abu Dhabi. Selected startups receive AED 250,000 in in-kind support, such as housing and office space, and AED 250,000 in cash in exchange for equity through a SAFE, with a possible further AED 250,000 for top performers. Founders can also be endorsed for the UAE Golden Visa.
Start-Up Chile
Investment: up to CLP 30 million, equity-free · Best for: founders willing to build from Chile
Start-Up Chile, run by the Chilean government agency CORFO, is one of the world’s best-known public accelerators and accepts founders from any country. Its Build track offers up to CLP 15 million and its Ignite track up to CLP 30 million in equity-free co-financing, plus help with a Chilean visa. The team leader must work from Chile during the program.
MVPLab (Saudi Arabia)
Investment: varies · Best for: tech founders building their first product in Saudi Arabia
MVPLab, part of Saudi Arabia’s National Technology Development Program (NTDP), helps founders turn an idea into a market-ready product, with investment opportunities, legal support, workspace and training. Its graduating startups have raised more than SAR 250 million.
iNNpulsa Colombia
Investment: non-repayable funding through open calls · Best for: startups based in Colombia
iNNpulsa is Colombia’s government agency for entrepreneurship and innovation. It funds startups and support organizations through regular open calls, such as its 2026 Digital Entrepreneurship program run with the national ICT and Trade ministries.
Corporate Startup Programs
Large companies also run programs that offer startups software, cloud credits, pilots and mentoring, usually without taking equity. Examples include Siemens for Startups, Microsoft for Startups and Google for Startups. See our full list of the top corporate accelerators and startup programs in 2026.
How to Apply to an Accelerator
Most applications follow the same steps:
- Online application. Basic information about the team, the problem you solve, your market, your business model and any traction so far.
- Pitch deck or video. Many programs ask for a deck, and some for a short video in which the founders present the company.
- Interviews. Shortlisted founders are interviewed, often briefly. Y Combinator’s interviews last about 10 minutes, so know your numbers and explain the business simply. YC’s interview guide is useful for any program.
Apply early, since several programs review applications as they arrive, and apply to more than one program at once.
For Accelerators: Reach the Right Founders
The strongest accelerators compete for the same founders. StartupBlink reaches 1 million startup ecosystem stakeholders every year, and helps accelerators, governments and corporations turn that audience into applications through dedicated portals, pitch events, reports and newsletters. Promote your program to the right startups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best startup accelerator? Y Combinator is one of the best-known, but the best program depends on your stage, industry and location. Specialist programs such as SOSV’s HAX and IndieBio, or regional programs such as Hub71 and Start-Up Chile, can be a better fit.
How much equity do accelerators take? Most leading accelerators take between 5% and 10%. Y Combinator takes 7% for $125,000 and Techstars at least 5% for $20,000, each with a larger uncapped SAFE that converts at the next round. a16z speedrun takes 10% for $500,000.
Are there equity-free accelerators? Yes. MassChallenge, Plug and Play, StartX and Start-Up Chile all take no equity, and many corporate programs are equity-free too. Most offer mentoring and connections instead of cash, though Start-Up Chile and some MassChallenge programs provide funding or prizes.
Want to see where startups are growing fastest? Download the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 or explore the best cities for startups in 2026.
