An accelerator offer can combine investment, mentoring, introductions and a substantial time commitment. The useful question is which part would help your next business milestone, and what you give up to receive it.
Compare the programme against the progress you need: finding a co-founder, reaching customers, completing a pilot or preparing a round. The shortlist below separates those needs and makes the ownership and time costs visible.
Do you need an accelerator?
An accelerator runs a selected cohort for a fixed period, usually three to four months, with intensive support and often an investment. Start with the progress your team needs to make, then compare what the programme really gives against its time, cash and ownership cost.
If you mainly need your first client or money for overdue bills, check whether a cohort can help soon enough. If you need a particular buyer, a technical test or an investor process, ask exactly what the programme contributes to that work.
Scroll across to compare every column.
| Your situation | Programme type to look at | What makes it useful |
|---|---|---|
| Idea, customer still unclear | Pre-accelerator or residency | Help finding a co-founder and testing demand. Don’t value it like an investment if no money is offered. |
| Early B2B software | Generalist or sector accelerator | Access to relevant buyers and help building a repeatable sales motion. |
| Consumer app or brand | Consumer or retail specialist | Retention, distribution and margin experience. |
| Hardware, health, climate | Specialist programme | Labs, regulatory or pilot partners matching your real development cycle. |
| Service business or agency | Usually not a venture accelerator | Sales, pricing and delivery help. Most accelerators expect a scalable product. |
Value the offer against your next milestone
List what your team could achieve without the programme over the same period. Then write the additional progress the programme could enable: a paid pilot, a technical test, a co-founder or a fundable milestone. Ask who helps deliver that progress and how much founder time it requires.
A simple comparison
Offer A provides cash and takes equity. Offer B provides relevant buyer access without cash. If your problem is getting a paid pilot, ask each for the actual process: which buyer role, how introductions are selected, and who follows through. Keep introductions, pilots and signed revenue as separate outcomes.
Use a written offer sheet covering cash received, every investment instrument, fees, relocation, time, IP and follow-on rights. Compare the whole commitment before choosing.
Global accelerators that accept Indian founders
Y Combinator
An accelerator for venture-scale technology startups. A short, intense programme ending in Demo Day, with a huge alumni network. Read the full deal: the second SAFE adds ownership when it converts.
- Based in
- USA (San Francisco)
- What you get
- US$500,000 in total: US$125,000 for 7% on a post-money SAFE, plus US$375,000 on an uncapped MFN SAFE (published standard deal)
- Best for
- Ambitious technology startups from any country, from idea stage onwards
- How applications work
- Four batches a year (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall); online application
- Official links
- ycombinator.com · Apply or get in touch
Techstars
A mentorship-driven accelerator with many city and industry programmes. Terms can differ by programme, so read the page for the one you apply to.
- Based in
- USA (Boulder), with programmes in many cities
- What you get
- US$220,000 on the published standard terms: US$20,000 for 5% common equity plus a US$200,000 uncapped MFN SAFE
- Best for
- Startups that want a mentor-heavy, three-month programme, often themed by city or industry
- How applications work
- Applications per programme, with different deadlines
- Official links
- techstars.com · Apply or get in touch
Antler
Backs founders from “day zero” through a residency where you can meet a co-founder and build. Check whether the residency fits your co-founder search and the time you can commit.
- Based in
- Singapore headquarters; India programme in Bengaluru
- What you get
- India: pre-seed investment, with the 2026 AI Residency offering a fast-track decision of up to ₹4 crore
- Best for
- Individuals and early teams, including founders still looking for a co-founder
- How applications work
- Residency cohorts plus direct applications
- Official links
- antler.co/india · Apply or get in touch
Entrepreneur First
A talent investor: you join as an individual, meet potential co-founders, then pitch for investment as a company.
- Based in
- UK (London), with a Bengaluru programme
- What you get
- Company formation and co-founder support with investment subject to the programme’s current written offer. Confirm the full funding and ownership terms for Bangalore before accepting.
- Best for
- Technical and domain experts who want to find a co-founder and start from scratch
- How applications work
- Bangalore Winter 2027 starts February 2027; second selection round deadline 2 November 2026. Full-time, in person; Bangalore followed by San Francisco. Current official application details
- Official links
- joinef.com
MassChallenge
An equity-free accelerator. You keep your shares, but budget for the founder time it takes.
- Based in
- USA (Boston), with programmes in Switzerland, the UK and elsewhere
- What you get
- Equity-free support. The Switzerland programme advertises an aggregate opportunity to compete for up to CHF 1M in cash prizes and in-kind awards, not that amount for every startup.
- Best for
- Founders who want structured support without giving up equity
- How applications work
- Switzerland 2026 applications closed 4 March 2026. Other programmes have separate calls. Official Switzerland dates
- Official links
- masschallenge.org
Founder Institute
A part-time programme, which suits founders building alongside a job.
- Based in
- USA (Silicon Valley), with chapters in 200+ cities
- What you get
- A chapter-based company-building programme. Entrance fees vary by chapter; its Equity Collective uses a 2.5% warrant per company, with defined activation conditions. Read the fee and equity terms
- Best for
- First-time founders, including those still employed, who want structure and accountability
- How applications work
- Chapter-by-chapter cohorts
- Official links
- fi.co
Accelerators based in India
Peak XV Surge
A seed company-building programme for founders in India and Southeast Asia.
- Based in
- India and Southeast Asia (Peak XV Partners, formerly Sequoia India)
- What you get
- Seed investment of up to US$5 million per company from Surge 12 (September 2026), plus company-building workshops
- Best for
- Venture-scale startups in India and Southeast Asia at seed stage
- How applications work
- Rolling applications through the Surge website
- Official links
- surge.peakxv.com · Apply or get in touch
Google for Startups Accelerator: India
A three-month, equity-free programme focused on AI-first Indian startups.
- Based in
- India (bootcamp in Bengaluru)
- What you get
- Equity-free: mentorship, Google Cloud credits and access to Google’s AI tools
- Best for
- AI-first startups at Seed to Series A stage
- How applications work
- The published 2026 India application deadline was 19 April 2026; that intake is closed. Watch the official programme page for a new announcement.
- Official links
- startup.google.com/accelerator/india/
Before you accept an offer
- List the whole deal: cash, every SAFE or equity instrument, fees, option-pool changes and any rights the programme keeps.
- Count the time: two founders at ten hours a week for twelve weeks is 240 hours. Make sure they buy real progress.
- Ask about real buyers: a mentor introduction and a paid pilot are different milestones.
- Speak to alumni in your sector, including someone who didn’t raise afterwards.
- Get advice before moving your company abroad or changing its structure to join.
Questions you may have
Do Indian startups get into Y Combinator?
Yes. Indian founders apply directly online, and YC has backed many Indian startups. Apply to the batch that matches your timing, and read the full deal terms first.
Is an equity-free accelerator always better?
Not always. You keep your shares, but you still spend months of founder time. Choose the programme that best helps your next milestone.
Do I need a product to apply?
It depends on the programme. YC, Antler and Entrepreneur First accept very early founders; others expect a working product or revenue. Apply to the stage they actually select.
Not sure which programme fits?
Send me your stage, your next milestone and the programmes you’re considering. Tell me what you need to decide before applying.
Related: startup incubators · angel investor networks · early-stage VC firms · pitch competitions · the investor introduction note
Prefer a conversation on social? Message me on LinkedIn.
Sources and review: programme links lead to the provider or official authority. Eligibility and application timing are shown with each route; use the dated information for your shortlist and the linked current terms before applying.