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Accelerator directory: what each program takes, and what it gives
Twenty programs from Y Combinator to equity-free corporate tracks, with the typical deal, the equity taken, the cash, the format and the focus. Terms change every year; each card shows when it was reviewed and links to the program’s own page. Run the numbers in the accelerator ROI calculator before you apply.
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Hybrid
500 Global
$150k for 6% in the flagship accelerator, with a program fee deducted; regional programs differ.
Equity
6%
Cash
$150k gross
Cadence
Several cohorts a year across regions
Focus
Generalist, strong in emerging markets
Location
Palo Alto and regional hubs
Regional programs such as MENA and Southeast Asia have their own terms.
Verify current terms on the program site.
Hybrid
Alchemist Accelerator
Small investment (historically around $36k) for about 5%, enterprise focus.
Equity
About 5%
Cash
About $36k
Cadence
Two cohorts a year
Focus
Enterprise and B2B
Location
San Francisco Bay Area
Value is in the enterprise customer and investor network rather than the cash.
Verify current terms on the program site.
In person
AngelPad
$120k for 7%.
Equity
7%
Cash
$120k
Cadence
One or two small cohorts a year
Focus
B2B software, small batches
Location
New York and San Francisco
Very small cohorts with intensive mentoring from the founders of the program.
Verify current terms on the program site.
In person
Antler
Pre-team program: invests roughly $100k to $250k for about 9% to 12% depending on the location once a team forms.
Equity
About 9% to 12%
Cash
$100k to $250k
Cadence
Two or three cohorts a year per city
Focus
Founders without a team or idea yet
Location
30+ cities
You join as an individual and form a team in the program; the investment comes after a committee decision.
Verify current terms on the program site.
In person
Berkeley SkyDeck
The SkyDeck fund invests about $200k for 7.5% in Batch companies; Pad-13 track is equity-free for Berkeley affiliates.
Equity
7.5%
Cash
About $200k
Cadence
Two cohorts a year
Focus
Deep tech, biotech, software
Location
Berkeley, California
Tied to the University of California; part of the fund’s profits return to the university.
Verify current terms on the program site.
In person
Entrepreneur First
Talent-first program; invests about $250k for 8% once a company is formed, with follow-on options.
Equity
About 8%
Cash
About $250k
Cadence
Two cohorts a year per city
Focus
Technical founders, deep tech and AI
Location
London, Paris, Bangalore, San Francisco
Terms changed several times; the current structure includes a stipend during team formation.
Verify current terms on the program site.
Equity-free program
Google for Startups Accelerator
Equity-free programs of about 10 weeks with Google mentoring and cloud credits.
Equity
None
Cash
Credits and mentoring
Cadence
Several programs a year by region and theme (AI, climate, women founders)
Focus
AI and cloud-native startups at seed to Series A
Location
Remote with regional sessions
Credits are through the Google for Startups Cloud Program; no investment.
Verify current terms on the program site.
In person
HAX (SOSV)
Up to around $250k initial investment for hardware and climate startups, with follow-on from SOSV.
Equity
Negotiated, typically under 10%
Cash
Up to about $250k
Cadence
Rolling admissions
Focus
Hardware, climate, industrial
Location
Newark, New Jersey and Shenzhen
Includes prototyping and engineering support; SOSV also runs IndieBio for life sciences.
Verify current terms on the program site.
In person
IndieBio (SOSV)
Around $275k to $525k combined investment for biotech and food companies at the pre-seed stage.
Equity
Negotiated
Cash
About $275k to $525k
Cadence
Two cohorts a year
Focus
Biotech, food, climate
Location
San Francisco and New York
Lab space is part of the program; terms differ between the SF and NY programs.
Verify current terms on the program site.
Equity-free program
MassChallenge
Equity-free accelerator with cash prizes for winners.
Equity
None
Cash
Prizes only
Cadence
Annual programs by location
Focus
Generalist with themed tracks
Location
Boston and global partners
Good for early teams who want structure without giving up equity.
Verify current terms on the program site.
Equity-free program
Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub
Equity-free; Azure credits that increase with milestones, plus partner perks.
Equity
None
Cash
Credits
Cadence
Rolling
Focus
Any software startup, strong AI focus
Location
Remote
Not an accelerator cohort; a credits and perks program founders can combine with others.
Verify current terms on the program site.
Equity-free program
NVIDIA Inception
Equity-free member program for AI startups: technical resources, credits and investor exposure.
Equity
None
Cash
Perks
Cadence
Rolling
Focus
AI and GPU-based startups
Location
Remote
Combine with cloud credits; useful for AI companies raising from technical investors.
Verify current terms on the program site.
In person
Pear VC (PearX)
Invests roughly $250k to $2M at pre-seed on negotiated terms, with a demo day for the cohort.
Equity
Negotiated
Cash
$250k to $2M
Cadence
Two cohorts a year
Focus
Generalist, strong in B2B and AI
Location
Menlo Park
Closer to a pre-seed fund with a program than a classic accelerator.
Verify current terms on the program site.
Equity-free program
Plug and Play Tech Center
Program is equity-free; the ventures arm may invest separately on standard terms.
Equity
None for the program
Cash
None
Cadence
Several themed programs a year
Focus
Corporate-matched themes (mobility, fintech, health, retail)
Location
Sunnyvale and global
The value is corporate pilots and introductions; investment is optional and separate.
Verify current terms on the program site.
Hybrid
Seedstars
Growth and pre-seed programs for emerging markets; investment on negotiated terms through Seedstars funds.
Equity
Negotiated
Cash
Varies
Cadence
Regional programs
Focus
Emerging markets: Africa, Latin America, Asia, MENA
Location
Geneva and regional
Programs differ by region; some are equity-free and corporate-funded.
Verify current terms on the program site.
In person
South Park Commons
Founder Fellowship invests around $400k for 7% with an additional uncapped amount on the next round.
Equity
7%
Cash
About $400k
Cadence
Cohorts several times a year
Focus
Technical founders before an idea or at idea stage
Location
San Francisco and New York
Community-first; the fellowship is for founders still exploring.
Verify current terms on the program site.
Hybrid
Startup Wise Guys
Invests around €65k for roughly 7% to 9%, with higher amounts in some programs.
Equity
About 7% to 9%
Cash
About €65k
Cadence
Several programs a year
Focus
B2B SaaS, fintech, sustainability, cyber
Location
Tallinn, Vilnius, Milan
The most active accelerator in the Baltics and Central and Eastern Europe.
Verify current terms on the program site.
In person
Startupbootcamp
Typically around €15k to €20k cash for about 6% to 8% equity, varying by program.
Equity
About 6% to 8%
Cash
About €15k to €20k
Cadence
Themed programs across Europe, Australia and Africa
Focus
Fintech, insurtech, smart cities, health
Location
Amsterdam and global
Equity is high relative to cash; weigh it against the corporate partner access.
Verify current terms on the program site.
In person
Techstars
Around $220k: a small equity purchase of 5% plus an uncapped MFN convertible note; terms were restructured in 2024.
Equity
5% plus note
Cash
About $220k
Cadence
Multiple programs a year by city and theme
Focus
Generalist and themed programs (fintech, climate, health)
Location
Many cities worldwide
Program fees are netted from the investment in some programs; check the current deal for the specific program.
Verify current terms on the program site.
In person
Y Combinator
$500k: $125k for 7% on a post-money SAFE plus $375k on an uncapped SAFE with MFN.
Equity
7%
Cash
$500k
Cadence
Four batches a year (winter, spring, summer, fall)
Focus
Any sector, software-heavy
Location
San Francisco
The reference deal. Implied valuation about $1.8M on the first $125k; the $375k converts at your next round’s terms.
Verify current terms on the program site.
How to read the deal
Cash divided by equity is the valuation the program puts on you. $125k for 7 percent is about $1.8M; $400k for 7 percent is about $5.7M. Compare that with what angels would pay today and with what the program’s alumni raised afterwards. Equity-free programs give credits, mentoring and introductions without a price tag; the cost is your time.
Who should apply
First-time founders without a network, teams in a sector where the program has deep investor ties, and founders who want structure and a deadline. Repeat founders with revenue usually do better raising directly.
Before you accept
Talk to three alumni from the last two batches, read the current agreement rather than the website summary, and model the dilution in the cap table simulator together with your next two rounds.
Questions founders ask
Why are the terms approximate?
Programs change their standard deal every year or two and some negotiate per company. The reviewed date and the website link are there so you can confirm.
Are equity-free programs worth it?
Often, if the credits replace real spend or the program gives access to customers. They do not replace a first check.
Can I suggest a program?
Yes. Send the name, the current deal and the source and we will add it after checking.
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