90% Of Startups Fail: Here's What You Need To Know About The 10% [Forbes]
As an entrepreneur, I know about failure. I’ve made mistakes, pretty stupid ones. At the same time, though, I’ve been fortunate enough to succeed a few times, too.
Accelerator Value Proposition
Disrupting the Disruptors: Startup Accelerators Feel Pressure to Evolve [Knowledge@Wharton]
Ten years ago startup accelerators were the tech high-priests who entrepreneurs looked to for advice and funding. Now their value proposition is evolving — and being questioned.
Accelerator Program Design
How to Apply to Y Combinator [Y Combinator]
Twice a year Y Combinator takes applications for funding. I thought it might help applicants if I explained what we look for when we read them.
Probably the biggest thing people don’t understand about the process is the importance of expressing yourself clearly. Every year we get some applications that
The Accelerator Application
Product / Market Fit: “The Only Thing that matters is getting to product
market fit” [Stanford University]
This post is all about the only thing that matters for a new startup.
But first, some theory:
If you look at a broad cross-section of startups -- say, 30 or 40 or more; enough to screen out the pure flukes and look for patterns -- two obvious facts will jump out
Customer Validation
Accelerating growth: Startup accelerator programs in the United States [Brookings Institute]
A convergence of factors in information technology and capital markets have helped propel a boom in venture capital-backed startups in recent years. While well-established regions such as San Francisco-Silicon Valley, Boston-Cambridge, and New York account for the lion’s share of startup activity and funding, significant evidence suggests that a non-trivial amount of early
Growth and Economic Impact of Accelerators
What Startup Accelerators Really Do
[Harvard Business Review]
The well-advertised boom in startups and venture capital in recent years has coincided with the emergence of new players in startup ecosystems. One of these, startup accelerators, has received a great deal of attention but also little scrutiny. Moreover, they are commonly misunderstood or mistakenly lumped in with other institutions supporting early-stage startups, such as
Accelerator Value Proposition
Understanding Funding: The Stages Of A Typical Startup Company and Its Funding
Options [Jumpstart]
Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or a seasoned pro, one of your first and most important tasks is to raise the capital you need to grow your venture. The good news is, there are more options than ever. The bad news is, it can sometimes be difficult to know where each option fits into your particular journey, especially when you’re just getting started.
Accelerator Investors / Fundraising
3 Things To Know Before Joining a Startup Accelerator [Forbes]
Entrepreneurs hear the word traction being thrown wherever they turn, from mentors, investors, supporters, and the press. But what does it really mean? And how do they know what it means for them and their businesses in particular? The word conjures images of progress and momentum, but fundamentally traction is a byproduct of a company’s ability to survive over time.
Choosing an Accelerator
Startup Accelerators Have Become More Popular in Emerging Markets — and They’re Working [Harvard Business Review]
For decades, we have heard that emerging markets are poised for huge growth that will yield even greater prosperity. But a long list of obstacles always seems to be getting in the way of realizing this potential. Startup accelerator programs have been touted as one path to faster progress.
Growth and Economic Impact of Accelerators
This Startup Program Is Harder To Get Into Than Harvard And Has Helped Entrepreneurs Raise Billions [Forbes]
What cofounder structures, locations and entrepreneurial traits can best help today’s startups accelerate their way to success?
I just had the great privilege of interviewing the cofounder of AngelPad, Thomas Korte on the DealMakers Podcast. He brought a ton of value to listeners with his insights on disruptive technology.
Choosing an Accelerator
5 Reasons Why Your Startup Should Join An Accelerator [Forbes]
"To be, or not to be" a startup accelerator alumni. This is a question that often co-founders end up discussing, during the early days of the startup journey. There are some co-founders who believe that the founding team is too good to be baby sited by mentors at an accelerator
Accelerator Value Proposition
3 Things To Know Before Joining a Startup Accelerator [Forbes]
Entrepreneurs hear the word traction being thrown wherever they turn, from mentors, investors, supporters, and the press. But what does it really mean? And how do they know what it means for them and their businesses in particular? The word conjures images of progress and momentum,
Choosing an Accelerator
Y Combinator President Sam Altman To Step Down Amid Wider Changes At Famed Startup Accelerator [Forbes]
The president of one of Silicon Valley's most famous startup accelerator programs is stepping down. Y Combinator announced on Friday that Sam Altman is transitioning to chairman and will focus his time on OpenAI, his nonprofit AI research company.
Altman's move comes at a time of transition for the accelerator.
Accelerator News
Startup Accelerator Network Techstars Joins The Studio Rush [Forbes]
One of tech's most recognizable startup accelerator programs is getting in on the rush to try a new model of company creation: the startup studio.
Techstars announced on Wednesday that it's launched Techstars Studio, a program to "co-create" companies through its network of entrepreneur alumni and corporate partners.
Accelerator Program Design
Why Startup Accelerators Can Be A Catalyst For Business Success [Forbes]
As the name suggests, a startup accelerator can help fledgling businesses reach the next stage of their growth quickly.
It is a crowded marketplace where program quality and offerings vary enormously. Nevertheless, by providing founders with advice, mentoring, resources, and access to the startup investor community, the best accelerators
Accelerator Value Proposition
Four Ways To Keep Your Expectations In Check When Joining A Startup Accelerator [Forbes]
Many startup founders with whom I’ve worked believe that getting into an accelerator is like achieving the startup dream. They believe that it will provide them with all the resources they need to get where they want to go. However, this isn’t always the case.
Accelerator Value Proposition
How Startup Accelerators Work [Forbes]
What’s a startup accelerator? How do they really work? Is this a smart path to take for your startup?
There has been a lot of buzz about startup accelerators in the past few years. They’ve attracted a lot of attention. They are frequently referred to as a route for gaining
Accelerator Value Proposition
10 Startup Accelerators Based On Successful Exits [Forbes]
Global accelerators are fueling entrepreneurs and startups with supportive ecosystems and plenty of fresh funding. These programs provide mentorship and capital in return for equity. This is put in place to help a start-up grow over a three to four month period.
Besides the investment, accelerators typically offer their startups
Choosing an Accelerator
How Accelerators Can Help Startups Conquer Business Challenges [Entrepeneur]
Having a brilliant idea is not enough to make a business successful. You need to have a complete, skilled and experienced team supporting your venture from the very beginning. However, most new entrepreneurs benefit from being mentored by an industry-seasoned guru who can help bypass roadblocks that the entrepreneurs may
Accelerator Value Proposition
What An Accelerator Taught Me That I Could Not Have Learned at Google [Entrepeneur]
Recent debate has centered around the concrete value that accelerators offer, and how to know if an accelerator is right for your startup. While seasoned entrepreneurs who have one or two startups in their pocket may not go the accelerator route, many will come from large corporate environments and seek
Accelerator Value Proposition
At Startup Accelerators, Expect the Unexpected [Entrepeneur]
With an acceptance rate of just 5 percent for many accelerator programs, you would think getting in is the hardest part. Not so.
It has been my honor to join the inaugural class of Velocity Indiana’s startup accelerator, a 100-day entrepreneurial bootcamp designed to “accelerate” your business toward launch.
The Accelerator Experience
The Significance Of Startup Acceleration In Developing Economies [Entrepeneur]
As demonstrated by the sheer quantity and quality of studies, research, and literature on the subject, the role of SMEs in growth and development of contemporary third world economies is a universally accepted fact all over the academia. Small and medium enterprises, the dominant form of economic activity in developing
Growth and Economic Impact of Accelerators
Every Startup Gains From An Incubator Or Accelerator [Entrepeneur]
A question I often get as an adviser is whether or not to join a business incubator or accelerator as a way to move forward faster and smarter and increase the odds of business success. The simple answer is always yes, but like any other resource, finding the right one.
Accelerator Value Proposition
Why the Number of Accelerators Is Accelerating [Entrepeneur]
AngelList, the online platform that matches high-potential companies with startup company investors currently lists 467 startup accelerators. That’s a big increase from one in 2005.
Why have we experienced such tremendous acceleration in accelerator formation?
The answer is that accelerators offer a lasting solution to problems that business angels and
Growth and Economic Impact of Accelerators
How Accelerators Help Start-ups Get Funding [Entrepeneur]
Business accelerator programs offer start-ups low cost space, business services, talented employees, and contacts who can help find customers and partners in exchange for a small stake.
Unlike business incubators, business accelerators are highly selective. But like anything worth having, getting your start-up accepted by the best accelerators
Accelerator Value Proposition
How One Startup Accelerator Is Giving Social Impact a Spotlight [Entrepeneur]
Ann DeRosa of Chilton Capital had only one question after hearing the pitch from Brian Ferguson, founder of Start Line, a sort of Yelp for former inmates to help with their re-entry to society. “Just tell me, what do you need?”
Ferguson and nine other entrepreneurs were on stage
Social Impact Accelerators
7 Lessons from 500, YC, Angelpad alum — How to Prepare For Any Accelerator Interview [500 Startups Blog]
But to help you brush up for the interview, we’ve downloaded some of the questions the YC grillers will ask.
ACCELERATOR INTERVIEW
Pitch Advice for entrepreneurs [Reid Hoffman Blog]
Entrepreneurs often ask me for help with their pitch decks. Because we value integrity and confidentiality at Greylock, we never share an entrepreneur’s pitch deck with others.
ACCELERATOR CURRICULUM
10 Startup Accelerators Based On Successful Exits [Forbes]
Staff from accelerator programs take into consideration many common themes when reviewing applications, such as addressing a large market, having a bold and crazy idea, showing some form of traction or signs that the company will be able to hit a milestone while in the program
THE ACCELERATOR APPLICATION
Want To Get Into A Top Startup Accelerator? Try These 3 Strategies [Forbes]
Prestigious startup accelerators like Techstars and Y Combinator (YC) have a lower acceptance rate (only 1-2%) than Harvard (5%). Top accelerators give entrepreneurs the opportunity to rapidly scale their companies over an intensive three-month program by providing access to mentors, investors, advisors and a network of other founders.
THE ACCELERATOR APPLICATION
Do you have the 3 qualities Marc Andressen wants in a founder [Fast Company]
Box, Fab, Facebook, Foursquare, Skype, Twitter. You wouldn’t blow too many minds if you said that Andreessen Horowitz has good taste in investments. Now, in an expansive interview with HBR
THE ACCELERATOR APPLICATION
Interviewing with an accelerator [StartupYard accelerator blog]
So you’ve applied to an accelerator. Maybe StartupYard, maybe Y-Combinator, or maybe somewhere not quite as famous…. What do you need to do to prepare for the interview?The answers might surprise you. This is not a job interview, and it isn’t a meeting with a typical investor. Preparing for an accelerator interview is
ACCELERATOR INTERVIEW
How Much Does Pre-Seed Equity Really Cost? [Mattermark]
Where do entrepreneurs get the best deal for the equity they give up? The data we’ll use to answer this question comes from F6S. One of the many features of F6S is a list of accelerator and incubator programs around the world. As it turns out, many of these incubator and accelerator programs state the amount of money they invest
ACCELERATOR INVESTORS
11 tips for startups to gain initial traction [Forbes]
One of the most challenging facts that you’ll have to come to terms with is that no matter how innovative your product is, you won’t have any customers if they aren’t aware of your startup. Even more challenging is figuring out how to attract your first customers
THE ACCELERATOR APPLICATION
Mentors Are The Secret Weapons Of Successful Startups [TechCrunch]
Entrepreneurs often spend hundreds of hours raising funds from angel and venture capital investors. While these activities are clearly important, analysis of new data on startups suggests that founders should also dedicate significant time to something that many people overlook: recruiting great mentors.
ACCELERATOR ADVISERS/MENTORS
Read this Before Applying to an Accelerator [Founder Institute]
Getting accepted into a seed-accelerator like Y Combinator or Techstars is a major step forward for any startup. In fact, getting into any accelerator is beneficial for a startup. But how does a founder get their company into an accelerator, and when is the right time to apply? While it is entirely possible for any startup to get accepted into an accelerator, there are numerous factors that need to be thought about before a founder
THE ACCELERATOR APPLICATION
90% Of Startups Fail: Here's What You Need To Know About The 10% [Forbes]
Nine out of ten startups will fail. This is a hard and bleak truth, but one that you’d do well to meditate on. Entrepreneurs may even want to write their failure post-mortem before they launch their business. Why?
THE ACCELERATOR APPLICATION
