Top 13 startup incubators and accelerators in Europe in 2023

Startup incubators and accelerators are programs that provide support and resources to help early-stage companies grow and succeed.

Getting into startup incubator and accelerator programs can be challenging as many startups often fancy it as an alternative avenue to raise capital and build a network that can help push their startups to the next level.

Entry requirements for the top accelerator programs are often steep to help the programs admit only the most promising startups and startup teams.

Here is a list of 13 top startup incubators and accelerators in Europe for 2023:

Seedcamp

Seedcamp is a European startup accelerator that provides seed funding, mentorship, and resources to early stage startups. It was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in London, UK. Seedcamp focuses on helping founders build and scale their companies, with a particular focus on tech-enabled businesses. The accelerator offers a four-month program twice a year, during which participating startups receive an investment of €200,000 in exchange for 7% equity. In addition to the funding, Seedcamp provides access to a network of mentors, investors, and advisors, as well as workspace, legal and accounting support, and other resources to help founders grow their businesses. Seedcamp has supported over 300 startups to date, including companies like TransferWise, Revolut, and UiPath.

Techstars

Techstars is a global network of startup accelerators that provides funding, resources, and mentorship to early stage companies. Since being founded in 2006 by David Cohen, David Brown, and Brad Feld, Techstars has funded over 2,000 companies, including DigitalOcean, SendGrid, and Twilio. The primary goal of Techstars is to help startups build a strong foundation capable of supporting growth plans. The program runs in various locations around the world and culminates in a Demo Day where companies present their progress to a room full of investors. Techstars is known for its highly selective application process and rigorous program, with acceptance rates hovering around 1%.

Startupbootcamp

Startupbootcamp is a global network of startup accelerators that provides funding, and mentorship, to companies in the technology and innovation sectors. They have a portfolio of over 500 companies and are renowned for their robust network of global corporate partners. The accelerator program runs in various locations around the world and culminates in a Demo Day where companies present their progress to a room full of investors. 

Y Combinator

Y Combinator is a startup accelerator that provides seed funding, resources, and mentorship to early stage companies. It was founded in 2005 by Paul Graham, Jessica Livingston, Trevor Blackwell, and Robert Morris and has funded over 2,000 companies, including Airbnb, Dropbox, and Reddit. The program runs twice a year and culminates in a Demo Day where companies present their progress to a room full of investors. In addition to funding, Y Combinator provides participating companies with a strong network of successful founders, industry experts, and investors. The goal of the program is to help startups build a strong foundation and reach the next stage of growth.

Wayra

Wayra is a startup accelerator operated by Telefónica, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. The program has locations in various cities across Europe, including Madrid, Barcelona, and London. It was founded in 2011 by Telefónica and has funded over 300 companies, with a focus on sectors such as IoT, Big Data, and Cloud Computing. Wayra is known for its global reach and its focus on helping startups scale and enter new markets.

AngelPad

AngelPad is a startup accelerator that provides funding, mentorship, and resources to help companies grow. The program focuses on companies in the technology and innovation sectors and runs twice a year. It was founded in 2010 by Thomas Korte and has funded over 200 companies, including Postmates, Front, and Talkdesk. AngelPad is known for its intensive mentorship-driven program and places its focus on helping founders refine their product and business models to fuel rapid growth.

Oxford University Innovation

Oxford University Innovation is a startup incubator that provides support and resources to help companies founded by Oxford University students and researchers grow and succeed. Oxford University Innovation is the technology transfer office for the University of Oxford. It helps researchers and academics commercialize their ideas and inventions by providing funding, resources, and mentorship to turn their research into viable businesses. Oxford University Innovation has funded over 100 spin-out companies and licensed over 1,000 technologies. It also operates an accelerator program called the Oxford University Innovation Seed Fund, which provides seed funding and resources to early stage companies spun out of the university. 

The Family

The Family is a seed stage investment fund and startup accelerator founded in 2013 with locations in Paris and London. that provides funding, resources, and mentorship to early stage companies., They focus on sectors such as SaaS, Marketplace, and FinTech helping founders build scalable and sustainable businesses. The Family has funded over 300 startups and has a strong network of founders, advisors and corporate partners.

Entrepreneur First

Entrepreneur First is a global organization that helps talented individuals start companies by providing funding, resources, and mentorship. It was founded in 2011 by Matt Clifford and Alice Bentinck and has funded over 1,000 companies, with a focus on sectors such as Deep Tech, AI, and Healthcare with locations in London, Berlin, and Paris. The program is designed to help individuals with a strong entrepreneurial drive find a co-founder and build a company from the ground up. They help individuals turn their ideas into viable businesses and set them on the path of sustainable growth. Entrepreneur First is known for its highly selective application process.

Le Village by CA

Le Village by CA is a startup incubator operated by Crédit Agricole, one of the largest banks in France. The program has locations in various cities across France and provides funding, mentorship, and resources to help companies grow. With a focus on sectors such as Fintech, Insurtech, and Proptech, Le Village by CA is known for its focus on helping founders build innovative and impactful businesses, and for its strong network of corporate partners and sponsors. The accelerator program runs in Paris and culminates in a Demo Day. 

NUMA

NUMA is a startup incubator that has locations in various cities across Europe, including Paris, Barcelona, and Moscow. The program provides funding, mentorship, and resources to help companies grow. NUMA is a global startup accelerator and co-working space provider that helps early stage companies grow and scale. It was founded in 2011 and has funded over 200 companies, with a focus on sectors such as AI, Big Data, and Smart City. The accelerator program runs. NUMA also operates a network of co-working spaces that provide a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs and startups.

Startup Wise Guys

Startup Wise Guys is a startup accelerator that has programs in various cities across Europe, including Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. The program provides funding, mentorship, and resources to help companies grow. It was founded in 2012 and has funded over 200 companies, with a focus on sectors such as SaaS, Fintech, and Enterprise. In addition to funding, Startup Wise Guys provides participating companies with a strong network of successful founders, industry experts, and investors. Startup Wise Guys is known for its focus on helping founders build scalable and sustainable businesses, and for its strong network of advisors and partners.

Seedrs

Seedrs is a startup incubator that has a program in London that provides funding, mentorship, and resources and focuses on companies in the technology and innovation sectors. Seedrs allows investors to buy shares in early stage companies. It was founded in 2012 and has funded over 1,000 companies, including Depop, Monzo, and GoHenry. Companies can use the platform to raise funding from a wide pool of investors, including retail investors, angels, and venture capital firms. Seedrs provides participating companies with resources and support to help them successfully navigate the fundraising process. In addition to fundraising, Seedrs provides investors with access to a diverse range of investment opportunities and the ability to manage their portfolio online. The goal of the platform is to democratize access to early stage investing and help startups raise the capital they need to grow and succeed.

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