5 Accelerators Helping Startups Succeed
All businesses must start with a concept, but expanding that concept into a successful, fully functioning venture involves significant work, money, time, and patience. Understanding these entrepreneurial challenges, accelerators such as the ones listed here offer vital support through funding, professional networks, events, and other resources necessary to take any startup to the next level. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Companies Providing Support to Startups
| Company | What It Offers |
|---|---|
| Alchemist Accelerator | Six-month, 25-team program, access to marquee early customer adopters, and faculty mentors |
| Founders Space | An international network of incubators, entrepreneurs, and investors, with corporate innovation programs, an online startup incubator, and tours and seminars |
| Lighthouse Labs | $20,000 investments per startup without equity or fees from founders, and a three-month experience for high-growth startups |
| UpRamp | Connects global video-broadband-wireless providers with growing startups |
| Techcode | Cross-border accelerators, industry partnership matching, pitch events, and forums |
Alchemist Accelerator's Ravi Belani on Building a Billion Dollar Business
U.S. Small Business Statistics
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, as of 2018
- There are 30.2 million small businesses in the United States
- These make up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses
- They employ 58.9 million people
- These make up 47.5% of all U.S. employees
- Of the 294,834 U.S. companies that exported goods in 2015, 97.6% were small firms
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The Biggest Reason Why Startups Succeed
In Depth
Turning an idea for a company into a profitable operation is no small feat. Even experienced entrepreneurs can struggle to compete in a rapidly evolving business climate. Some just need a little extra support, which is where accelerator programs come in. In no particular order, the following organizations are working to connect entrepreneurs with the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to succeed.
At #1, we have The Alchemist Accelerator, which works exclusively with startup founders whose revenue comes from enterprises. The group's program focuses on customer development, sales, market validation, and structured approaches to fundraising. Applicants selected have access to speakers, pitch practice, and mentors like Gary Swart, Stu Schmidt, and Tim Draper, giving them the opportunity to sharpen their strategy.
More than three hundred companies have participated in an Alchemist Demo Day, where teams present their value propositions to a bevy of potential investors. Over a hundred companies have received significant financial backing from individual and institutional investors, with more than $750 million being raised in total. Backers include companies like Cisco Systems, GE Ventures, Next47, and more.
Over a hundred companies have received significant financial backing from individual and institutional investors, with more than $750 million being raised in total.
At #2 is Founders Space, a Silicon Valley group that offers a variety of programs for startups of all stripes. These range from one day to several months, with some focused on specific sectors, like fintech, agtech, and big data. The organization offers comprehensive programs taught by successful entrepreneurs to provide support to new companies at every business stage.
Founders Space boasts over fifty partners spread across twenty-two countries, including Startup Basecamp, SUMMIT, Aerospike, and others, offering the services necessary to any startup's infrastructure. Entrepreneurs have the chance to practice pitching and eventually gain access to high-level investors to make their case formally. Resources and training are available online, as well, allowing companies from around the world to participate.
At #3 is Lighthouse Labs, recognized as a Top 25 Seed-Stage Accelerator by the Seed Accelerator Rankings Project and located in Virginia. Not only does the organization provide a selective three-month program to help founders quickly develop and expand their market, but the group invests $20,000 per selected startup without taking equity or fees from the founders.
Not only does the organization provide a selective three-month program to help founders quickly develop and expand their market, but the group invests $20,000 per selected startup without taking equity or fees from the founders.
Lighthouse Labs engages founders with mentors, industry experts, investors, support services, lean startup education, and office space. The vision of the group is to invest in the lives of the founders and not just the business concept, helping them build the soft skills like leadership and communication that impact the trajectory of the business.
Coming in at #4 is UpRamp, a Colorado company that focuses on businesses taking aim at the global video-broadband-wireless industry. The programs offered are backed by major industry players with longtime standing, and their goal is to aid startups intent on disrupting the space through innovation.
The UpRamp offering is dedicated to helping startups of all sizes. Seed-stage companies can take advantage of the Boomtown Accelerator to pool resources. Innovation Showcase events held throughout the year help get radical founders and their technology on stage in front of decision-makers and influencers. The Fiterator, a hyper-specific fourteen-week accelerator, guides later-stage startups to product-market fit in the global cable industry.
The UpRamp offering is dedicated to helping startups of all sizes.
Wrapping up the list at #5 is Techcode, a group that has earned recognition for helping startups compete internationally, boasting strategic partnerships with government agencies of countries like Russia, Germany, and South Korea. Programs offered are specifically focused on innovative and disruptive technologies.
The support provided by Techcode can address the needs of a wide range of startups, from co-working space in California for entrepreneurs just getting on their feet to company development for "unicorns" with a goal of going public overseas. Techbook, the group's matchmaking platform for building partnerships, can pair early-stage companies with corporate backers.
