Accelerators 2026
Compare the top accelerator programs worldwide. Explore funding models, focus areas, and application timelines.
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All Accelerators
37 top-tier programs worldwide
37 programs in current view
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Accelerator Focus Areas
Click a focus area to filter programs. Bar width shows the proportional consensus among top-tier accelerators.
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.
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In AI
Open now: 11Rolling: 10Closed: 4
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Programs organized by operating model and specialization.
Generalist
(21)Broad early-stage accelerators across software and internet markets
Industry Specialized
(9)Accelerators with sector-specific program infrastructure and networks
Deep Tech
(7)Science, hardtech, and technical frontier accelerator programs
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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 ($125K for 7% + $375K uncapped MFN SAFE) | 7% + MFN SAFE | 3 months | 2 cohorts/year | Open |
| Techstars | $220K ($20K for 5% + $200K uncapped MFN SAFE) | 5% (via $20K CEA) + MFN SAFE | 13 weeks | Multiple cohorts/year | Rolling |
| 500 Global | $150K | 6% | 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 | GBP 150K-180K pre-seed lead cheque | ~6.5% ownership (pre-seed lead) | Program + ongoing platform support | Continuous with program cycles | Rolling |
| EF | Up to $250K ($125K from EF SAFE + optional $125K uncapped MFN SAFE) | 8% (post-money SAFE on EF's $125K) | 6 months | Multiple cohorts/year (London, SF, Bangalore, Singapore) | Closed |
| Antler | $200K ($200K SAFE for 8%, US) | 8% via SAFE (US); follow-on: $300K follow-on reserve (up to $500K total, US) | 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 | $500K ($500K for 10% via SAFE) | 10% via SAFE; follow-on: $500K follow-on in next round (up to $1M total; per speedrun deal page, within 18 months) | 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 | 7.5% via post-money SAFE | 3 months | Multiple cohorts/year | Unknown |
| LAUNCH | $125K | 7% | 14 weeks | Continuous cohorts | Open |
| NEO | $750K (uncapped SAFE) | Uncapped SAFE; ~0.75%-5% depending on next round valuation; follow-on: $40K no-strings grant for college students (separate) | 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% 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 (priced seed to uncapped SAFE, or no capital) | Uncapped SAFE or priced seed; no capital required; follow-on: $500K+ credits (AWS, Google, Microsoft) | 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 |
| The Monastery | Investment program for AI-native founders (see cyber.fund for current terms) | — | 12 weeks | Batches (Batch II started September 2026) | Unknown |
| Solo Founders | $100,000 | — | 3 months | Multiple cohorts per year (summer cohort kickoff May 22, 2026; fifth cohort kickoff Sept 10) | Closed |
| Boost VC | Pre-seed investment plus program for frontier-tech startups (see boost.vc for current terms) | — | See program site | Cohorts (see program site) | Unknown |
| gener8tor | $100,000 | 7.5% via SAFE (varies by program) | About 12 weeks | Many city/sector programs, each with its own cohort | Unknown |
| ERA | $150,000 | 6% post-money SAFE | About 4 months | Cohorts (Summer, Winter) | Unknown |
| Startup Wise Guys | Up to €100,000 (fintech up to €150,000) | Negotiated equity, plus a €35K program fee | About 3–5 months | Multiple vertical programs (flagship B2B, fintech, cyber, proptech, Africa SaaS) | Unknown |
| HSG START | CHF 15,000 grant, plus access to up to CHF 200,000 | — | About 4 months (Batch #3: September–December 2026) | Annual batches | Closed |
| BGV | Investment plus a 12-week tech-for-good programme (see site for current terms) | — | 6 weeks of workshops/clinics plus 6 weeks bespoke coaching | Spring and Autumn cohorts | Unknown |
| Google for Startups | Up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits (equity-free) | Equity-free | About 10 weeks (virtual) for North America; 3 months for India | Region- and theme-specific cohorts | Closed |
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