List of accelerators and application dates for 2024
Last week I wrote a post about the key factors to consider before joining an accelerator.
As a follow-up, I’ve created an extensive list of all of the accelerators, complete with their application dates, that I think are worth checking out if you’re currently exploring it as an option.
Accelerate Me
How they describe themselves: The UK’s top student-led accelerator programme. We help young founders become great entrepreneurs.
Applications: Open until 15th January 2024
Activate Studio
How they describe themselves: Digital startup studio giving founders hands-on acceleration from idea to launch.
Applications: Open until 31st December 2023
Antler
How they describe themselves: We give you an edge from the very beginning. Build and scale your company faster with our global community of co-founders and access to talent, expert advisors, expansion support, and capital around the world.
Applications: Always open
AWS FinTech Accelerator
How they describe themselves: Take part in an equity-free online programme designed to empower AI-driven Fintech startups for global success with product, business and investment support.
Applications: Applications closed
Barclays Accelerator
How they describe themselves: Our London accelerator provides a unique opportunity to get your hands on the best advice, support and tools to build your FinTech business.
Applications: Applications closed
Bethnal Green Ventures
How they describe themselves: Our renowned programme gives you the best start to launching your tech for good venture. We offer £60,000 investment and six weeks of intensive learning for prototype stage ventures.
Applications: Applications for Spring 2024 are now open.
Enterprise Fellowships (Royal Academy Engineering)
How they describe themselves: Twelve-month accelerator programme for engineering startups and spinouts.
Applications: Open January 2024
Entrepreneur Accelerator (Natwest)
How they describe themselves: The NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator is a six-month programme for entrepreneurs with high growth businesses who are looking to scale up.
Applications:: Always open
Entrepreneur First
How they describe themselves: Entrepreneur First is the best place in the world to meet your co-founder and build a startup from scratch.
Applications: Open until 11th December 2023 (London)
Founders Factory
How they describe themselves: We build and fund startups together with exceptional entrepreneurs and the world’s leading companies.
Applications: Multiple programmes to choose from
Founders Institute
How they describe themselves: The Founder Institute is the world's most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses.
Applications: Applications closed
Hatch Enterprise
How they describe themselves: Hatch is a national charity that supports underrepresented entrepreneurs from across the UK to launch and grow businesses that are both sustainable and successful, and have a lasting impact on their communities.
Applications: Open for January 2024
Health Innovation Manchester
How they describe themselves: We work with innovators to discover, develop and deploy new solutions that improve the health and wellbeing of Greater Manchester's 2.8m citizens.
Applications: Always open
Innovate UK ICURe
How they describe themselves: Innovate UK ICURe is a pre-accelerator programme for researchers. This programme is designed to help explore the commercial application and potential of UK research.
Applications: Open until January 2024
Level39
How they describe themselves: Level39 is the world's most connected tech community, with over 180 tech startups and scaleups based onsite. We support fast-growth businesses in three clear ways - giving access to world-class customers, talent and infrastructure.
Applications: Always open
Oxford University Innovation
How they describe themselves: Oxford University Innovation (OUI) helps staff and students to apply their expertise and research for wider social and economic benefit.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Applications: Always open
Techstars
How they describe themselves: Each year, we choose over 500 early-stage companies to join one of our 3-month, mentorship-driven accelerators, investing $120K and providing hands-on mentorship and access to the Techstars network for life.
Applications: Open until 29th November 2023
Wayra
How they describe themselves: Wayra is the entrepreneurship initiative part of Telefónica's Open Innovation programme, the most global, technological and connected in the world. It has seven Wayra Hubs in nine countries in Latin America and Europe through which it invests in and supports startups.
Applications: Multiple programmes to choose from
Google for startups
How they describe themselves: Google for Startups Accelerators serve top growth-stage startups with tailored technical, product, and leadership training from Google experts.
Applications: Multiple programmes to choose from
Y Combinator
How they describe themselves: Y Combinator (YC) is a startup fund and programme. Since 2005, YC has invested in nearly 3,000 companies including Airbnb, DoorDash, Stripe, Instacart, Dropbox, and Coinbase. The combined valuation of YC companies is over $300B. YC has programmes and resources that support founders throughout the life of their company.
Applications: Open for January-March 2024
TechNation: Libra
How they describe themselves: Libra is dedicated to empowering and connecting underrepresented tech founders, equipping them with the knowledge, connections, and tools necessary to scale their tech startups.
Applications: Applications closed
Oneday
How they describe themselves: Bring your business idea to life in the world's most dynamic learning environment, where Shark Tank meets University.
Applications: Always open
Startupbootcamp
How they describe themselves: Startupbootcamp is a global network of industry focused accelerators. We take startups global by giving them direct access to an international network of the most relevant partners, investors, and mentors in their sector.
Applications: Multiple programmes to choose from
Virgin Startup
How they describe themselves: Virgin StartUp helps founders in the UK fund and grow the business they're passionate about, from your first round of funding through to scale. We run regular programmes to help get you and your business ready to raise. Each of our programmes are carefully designed to give you the skills and confidence to go out and fundraise.
Applications: Multiple programmes to choose from
NDRC
How they describe themselves: Designed to support ambitious entrepreneurs with globally scalable, innovative tech startups. Receive investment and coaching from accomplished mentors and Entrepreneurs in Residence.
Applications: Open until 3rd December 2023
Cronos Labs
How they describe themselves: Cronos Labs is a Web3 startup accelerator that focuses on Decentralized Finance and blockchain games, and on the development of the Cronos chain ecosystem.
Applications: Open for January 2024 start date
Accelerate Cambridge
How they describe themselves: Accelerate Cambridge is a startup accelerator established by Cambridge Judge Business School in May 2012. We provide teams of entrepreneurs a structured approach across a 10-week programme that combine online lectures, workshops, weekly coaching and mentoring. Our programme empowers entrepreneurs.
Applications: Open for Spring Programme 2024
L’Oréal Beauty Tech Atelier
How they describe themselves: At L’Oréal, we believe that new tech & innovative business models are going to profoundly change the Beauty consumer experience for the better. We want to lead that change, and co-create the future of Beauty tapping into the fantastic creativity and entrepreneurship out there. We want to spot, partner and support startups that can transform the way Beauty brands interact with consumers.
Applications: Always open
The Accelerator powered by Nestlé R&D
How they describe themselves: Partner with Nestlé for disruptive Food & Beverage innovations. Go from idea to shop in six months.
Applications: Applications closed
Fusion by Diageo
How they describe themselves: Fusion was founded to help Diageo fuel its ambition to ‘celebrate life, everyday, everywhere’ by collaborating with growth-stage companies to develop digital products which can elevate consumer experiences.
Applications: Applications closed
Vantage
How they describe themselves: We empower startups to succeed, and help them become investor-ready. We've set out to equip UK startups with the very best knowledge, and a well-rounded skillset from experienced professionals who have demonstrated success within their field.
Applications: Multiple programmes to choose from
Absolutely phenomenal work in compiling that list! 🌟 As you continue to explore and guide others in the journey of accelerators, remember these wise words by Helen Keller - Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. Your effort in sharing knowledge embodies the spirit of collective growth and success. 🚀 Keep inspiring and let's keep adding to that list. Everyone's input is invaluable! #startups #founders #accelerators #communitygrowth
Product Manager | Ex-Microsoft | Ex-Skype | passionate about software and client success
1yThanks for the great list
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1yGreat post, thank you!
Serial founder (Web3, fintech and edtech) | UK Top-50 Tech Exec
1yUK based accelerators fall into 6 categories: 1. good (almost American) - Techstars UK, 2. aspiring - Block Dojo, 3. super-early stage but good in their own way - EF, Antler and Zinc, 4. good but with very narrow thesis - Carbon 13, Outlier Ventures, IAG/BA corporate, Lloyd's Lab, Health London, 5. the rest and 6. promising but too early to tell, i.e., AI Forge. The definition of "good" is simple - total money raised by all cohorts. PS CyLon used to be great but it's not an accelerator now. PPS Not sure about former Barclays Techstars fintech. PPPS If one wants to include YC, then 50+ other US accelerators must be included. And why not Continental and Asian then? So YC shouldn't be on the UK list.
Investment Manager at Quintas Capital | Finance Finder
1yGreat list! I'll certainly guide founders towards it when recommending accelerator programmes. I did a blog on the topic too, but included a less comprehensive (less time-consuming) list - https://www.financefinder.app/post/accelerators-incubators-venture-builders