Accelerators
Fixed-length cohorts that usually invest for equity and end with a demo day.
Accelerators, incubators, pitch competitions and grants
Find the programme worth applying to
Every programme worth applying to, with the numbers that matter and the dates that bite.
Free to use. No sign-up. Every listing links to its sources.
The directory in numbers
- Programmes listed
- 498
- Countries
- 52
- Dated application windows
- 231
- Last verified
- 2 Nov 2026
Browse by programme type
Incubators
Longer, earlier-stage support, often with workspace and no fixed end date.
Pitch competitions
Prize money and investor attention for a few minutes on stage.
Grants and fellowships
Non-dilutive funding and fellowships, with eligibility rules to read closely.
Closing soon
Programmes with applications open now, soonest deadline first.
ERA (Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator)
ERA is a four-month New York City accelerator for early-stage technology startups that runs two cohorts a year. It invests US$150k on a post-money SAFE for 6% and ends with an investor Demo Day.
US$150k invested · 6% equity
Open · closes 2 Nov 2026Winter 2027: applications close 2 November 2026; the programme starts 11 January 2027.Y Combinator
A three-month batch held in person in San Francisco, run four times a year. YC invests US$500k in every company it funds: $125k for 7% plus $375k on an uncapped MFN SAFE.
US$500k invested · 7% equity
Open · closes 2 Nov 2026Winter 2027: applications close 2 November 2026.College New Venture Challenge
The University of Chicago launch programme and competition for College undergraduates: apply in the fall, build a business plan in a winter Booth class, then pitch to investors for prize money invested on a SAFE.
Funding not published · equity not published
Open · closes 3 Nov 2026CNVC 2027: applications close 3 November 2026.EIC Accelerator
The EU's Horizon Europe programme for start-ups and SMEs with breakthrough innovations. It offers a grant below EUR 2.5 million, equity investment of EUR 1-10 million, or both, plus coaching.
Funding not published · equity not published
Open · closes 4 Nov 2026November 2026 full-proposal cut-off: applications close 4 November 2026.NSF SBIR/STTR (America's Seed Fund)
Federal grants for US small businesses commercialising deep technology. NSF invests up to US$2 million per company across phases and takes no equity; applicants start with a Project Pitch.
Funding not published · equity-free
Open · closes 4 Nov 2026November 2026 full-proposal deadline: applications close 4 November 2026.MIT Solve Global Challenges
MIT Solve's open innovation challenges for tech-based solutions in climate, health, learning and economic prosperity. Selected Solver teams join a nine-month programme and share more than US$1M in prize funding.
Funding not published · equity not published
Open · closes 6 Nov 20262027 Global Challenges: applications opened 22 September 2026 and close 6 November 2026.VILLAGEx
VILLAGEx is The Idea Village's four-month New Orleans accelerator for seed-stage startups aiming to raise US$1M or more within 24 months. It provides mentors, advisory boards and investor access, ending with Demo Day.
Funding not published · equity-free
Open · closes 6 Nov 2026VILLAGEx 2027: applications close 6 November 2026.Alpha Startups Pre-Accelerator
A free 11-week hybrid pre-accelerator run from Kuala Lumpur by 1337 Ventures for idea- to MVP-stage startups across Southeast Asia, ending in an in-person demo day.
Funding not published · equity not published
Open · closes 8 Nov 2026Cohort 68: applications close 8 November 2026; the programme starts 18 November 2026 and demo day is 3 February 2027.
No programme we list has applications open right now.
Two questions to settle first
Before you apply, decide what kind of programme you need and what you are willing to give for it.
Accelerator or incubator?
How the two differ in length, money and equity, and which one fits your stage.
Equity or equity-free?
Find the exit value at which an equity deal costs more than an equity-free grant.
How we check
Every listing says where it came from and when we read it
We build each listing from the programme's own pages and record the day we read every source.
Each listing shows the date we last verified it. Dates and terms change between cohorts, so we re-check every programme each month.
When a programme has not published a fact, the listing says "not published" rather than guess.
| Listings | Number |
|---|---|
| Built from the programme's own pages | 494 |
| With dated application windows | 210 |
| Publishing a funding amount | 119 |
| Publishing the equity they take | 155 |
| Saying they take no equity | 133 |
Questions founders ask
What is the difference between an accelerator and an incubator?
An accelerator runs a fixed-length cohort, often about three months, and usually invests in exchange for equity. An incubator tends to support earlier-stage companies for longer, often with workspace and without a fixed end date. Terms vary by programme, so check each listing.
How do you keep application dates current?
We read each programme's own pages, record the day we read them and re-check every listing each month. Every listing shows the date we last verified it.
Do programmes pay to be listed?
No. Listing is free, and we are not affiliated with any programme listed here.
What does "not published" mean on a listing?
The programme has not stated that fact on its own pages, so we leave it blank rather than guess.
Run a programme? List it free
Send us your dates and terms and we will publish them with a link to your own pages.