Top 7 startup incubators and accelerators in the US 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 7 top startup incubators and accelerators in the US for 2023:

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.

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%.

500 Startups

500 Startups is a global venture capital firm and startup accelerator that provides seed funding, resources, and mentorship to early stage companies. They have funded over 2,000 companies, including Credit Karma, Grab, and Udemy. 500 Startups is known for its diverse portfolio and global reach, with a particular focus on underrepresented founders and markets. They also provide participating companies with a strong network of successful founders, experts, top talent, and investors.

Seedcamp

Founded in 2007, Seedcamp is a European seed stage investment fund and startup accelerator that provides funding, resources, and mentorship to early stage companies. Seedcamp focuses on high-potential European startups and its extensive network of mentors and advisors. They have a portfolio of over 300 companies that includes Revolut, Transferwise, and UiPath.

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.

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. 

The Brandery

The Brandery is a startup accelerator that provides seed funding, resources, and mentorship to early stage companies with a focus on consumer branding and marketing. It was founded in 2010 and has funded over 60 companies, including Chubbies, Lost My Name, and AppHarvest. The accelerator program runs twice a year in Cincinnati and focuses on companies in the consumer and retail sectors. The goal of the program is to help startups build a strong foundation, with a particular emphasis on developing strong brand identities and go-to-market strategies.