Whether you are seeking guidance on how to develop your prototype or strategic plans, or simply boost the traction and credibility of your concept, accelerators are a popular way for startups to get funding, grow their business, and gain experience for those newer entrepreneurs willing to dish out 7% equity per $100-120K of funding.
Given that accelerators tend to be quite time consuming and are often structured to a point that stifles creativity, it is important to weigh many factors and determine if an accelerator program is right for you. As both time and equity are finite resources, perhaps the two most critical factors to evaluate are the number of exists the accelerator has spawned as well as the number of investments it has helped cultivate. We’ve done the research an identified the top accelerators in 2021 in both these categories.
Top Accelerators in 2021
Responsible for known brands such as Airbnb and Dropbox, Y Combinator came in #1, surpassing 350 exits and 3,776 investments by June 2021. As shown below, TechStars came in a close, second followed by 500 Startups and Mass Challenge.
The major benefit of any accelerator the cultivation of a network of people and an opportunity to raise funds under a condensed timeline. If you are confident about your networking and fundraising skills, then an accelerator program may not be worth the expense in time and equity. However, if these are areas you need help in, these four accelerators may be worth exploring.