Accelerators 2026
Compare the top accelerator programs worldwide. Explore funding models, focus areas, and application timelines.
Compare the top startup accelerators of 2026 — funding offered, equity taken, cohort cadence, and focus areas — so you can target the right program before applications close. Every listing links to a detailed profile with terms, timelines, and sources.
Top-Tier Accelerators
Focus Areas
In AI
Accelerator Focus Areas
Click a focus area to filter programs. Bar width shows the proportional consensus among top-tier accelerators.
All Accelerators
28 top-tier programs worldwide
28 programs in current view
Browse by Category
Programs organized by operating model and specialization.
Generalist
(15)Broad early-stage accelerators across software and internet markets
Industry Specialized
(8)Accelerators with sector-specific program infrastructure and networks
Deep Tech
(5)Science, hardtech, and technical frontier accelerator programs
Accelerators at a Glance
Every accelerator in this guide compared side by side — funding, equity, duration, cohort cadence, and application status.
| Accelerator | Funding | Equity | Duration | Cadence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YC | $500K total | $125K for 7% + uncapped SAFE component | 3 months | 2 cohorts/year | Open |
| Techstars | $120K+ | Standard accelerator equity + optional participation rights | 13 weeks | Multiple cohorts/year | Rolling |
| 500 Global | $150K | Standard accelerator terms by batch | 4 months | Multiple cohorts/year | Rolling |
| Alchemist | $50K-$100K+ | Program-standard startup equity terms | 6 months | 2 cohorts/year | Open |
| SOSV | Program-dependent pre-seed checks | Track-specific terms | 3-6 months | Multiple cohorts/year | Rolling |
| Seedcamp | Pre-seed lead/co-lead checks | Seedcamp investment terms by round | Program + ongoing platform support | Continuous with program cycles | Rolling |
| EF | Up to ~$250K at formation + up to $5M follow-on | EF formation investment terms | 6 months | Multiple cohorts/year (London, SF, Bangalore, Singapore) | Open |
| Antler | Pre-seed check at company formation | Program-standard Antler terms | 10-12 weeks core phase | Multiple cohorts/year | Rolling |
| CDL | No fixed check size (investor network-led outcomes) | — | 9 months | Annual tracks | Open |
| PnP | Program and deal specific | — | 3 months core program | Multiple programs/year | Rolling |
| StartX | No fixed check size (network and partner fund pathways) | Program participation terms vary by track and partner investments | 10-12 weeks core programming | Multiple cohorts/year | Unknown |
| Speedrun | Seed check with follow-on access | Program investment terms by batch | 8-12 weeks | Multiple cohorts/year | Unknown |
| SkyDeck | $200K standard package (track-dependent) | Program-standard investment terms | 6 months | 2 cohorts/year | Unknown |
| MuckerLab | Pre-seed investment at entry | Program-standard pre-seed equity terms | 12 weeks | Small cohorts multiple times/year | Unknown |
| MassChallenge | Non-dilutive awards + partner funding pathways | No equity for core accelerator participation | 4 months | Multiple cohorts/year | Unknown |
| Forum Ventures | $100K-$150K pre-seed package (program dependent) | Program-standard equity terms | 3 months | Multiple cohorts/year | Unknown |
| LAUNCH | $125K | 7% equity | 14 weeks | Continuous cohorts | Open |
| NEO | $600K | Uncapped SAFE with $10M valuation floor + 1.5% common stock | 3 months | 1 cohort/year | Open |
| AngelPad | $120K | 7% equity | 10 weeks | 2 cohorts/year | Open |
| Founder Uni | $25K–$125K (top graduates) | 2.5%–7% equity for funded graduates | 12 weeks | Multiple cohorts/year | Rolling |
| Mint | $500K | 10% equity via SAFE | 11 weeks | 2 cohorts/year | Open |
| Embed | $250K | Uncapped MFN SAFE, no discount | 8 weeks | 2–3 cohorts/year | Open |
| Betaworks | Up to $500K | Uncapped SAFE with 25% discount + 5% common stock | 13 weeks | 2 cohorts/year | Open |
| AI Grant | $250K | Uncapped SAFE | Cohort-based | Multiple cohorts/year | Rolling |
| MARL | $50K | $50K for 5% equity | 12 weeks | Regular cohorts | Open |
| Google.org GenAI | $500K–$2M | — | 6 months | 1 cohort/year | Open |
| Edge | Flexible (founder-guided) | Custom SAFE or priced seed + $500K+ in AWS, Google, and Microsoft credits | 3 months | Rolling admissions (highly selective, non-batched) | Rolling |
| 1752 | $100K | $100K SAFE at $3.5M valuation cap (~2.85%) | 3 months (12-week curriculum) | Rolling admissions (no fixed start dates) | Rolling |
Find startup problems worth solving
Use this shortlist to pick a target accelerator, then validate your idea against real-world problem demand.