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Alchemist Accelerator vs Techstars
What Alchemist Accelerator and Techstars each invest, the equity they take, who they suit and when applications close, from each programme's own pages.
Alchemist Accelerator vs Techstars
Alchemist Accelerator
- Funding
- not published Average investment proceeds of US$30k, net of the tuition fee offset; the cash investment is optional and often a SAFE
- Instrument
- not published
- Equity taken
- 5% Most companies grant 5% of equity; Alchemist says its terms are flexible
- Programme fee
- not published A programme tuition fee applies and is offset with additional investment capital; the fee amount is not stated
- Duration
- not published
- Cohort size
- not published
- Cohorts
- not published
- Delivery
- Hybrid
- Stages
- not published
- Sectors
- AI, B2B SaaS, Deep tech
- Open to founders from
- Anywhere
- Perks
-
- Partner credits and discounts valued at more than US$450k
- Free co-working space in San Francisco
Each class runs for six months. Founders may take part remotely but are encouraged to spend time in the Bay Area. Demo day is virtual, with a preview event in San Francisco a month before.
Techstars
- Funding
- US$220,000 US$220k: $20k on a post-money convertible equity agreement for 5% in common stock plus $200k on an uncapped MFN SAFE
- Instrument
- SAFE
- Equity taken
- 5% 5% in common stock from the convertible equity agreement, plus whatever the $200k uncapped MFN SAFE converts into at the next priced round
- Programme fee
- not published
- Duration
- not published
- Cohort size
- not published
- Cohorts
- not published
- Delivery
- Hybrid
- Stages
- Pre-seed, seed
- Sectors
- Sector-agnostic
- Open to founders from
- not published
- Perks
- not published
Programmes last three months. The New York City programme meets in person for its first two weeks, one week in the middle and demo day. The offer is regional: Techstars Tokyo invests US$120k ($100k uncapped MFN SAFE or J-KISS plus $20k for 5%).
Alchemist Accelerator: full listing · Techstars: full listing
Where they differ
| Term | Alchemist Accelerator | Techstars |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | not published | US$220,000 |
| Equity taken | 5% | 5% |
| Instrument | not published | SAFE |
| Programme fee | not published | not published |
| Duration | not published | not published |
| Cohorts | not published | not published |
| Delivery | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Stages | not published | Pre-seed, seed |
| Sectors | AI, B2B SaaS, Deep tech | Sector-agnostic |
| Based in | San Francisco, United States | United States |
| Next deadline | Any time | 18 November 2026 |
Which fits whom
Alchemist Accelerator fits founders
- At any stage: the programme does not name one
- Who can join some sessions in person in San Francisco
- Working in AI, B2B SaaS or deep tech
- Willing to give up 5% equity
Techstars fits founders
- At the pre-seed or seed stage
- Who can join some sessions in person in the United States
- In any sector
- Willing to give up 5% equity; the standard offer is US$220,000
Application dates
Alchemist Accelerator
Applications are accepted at any time.
Techstars
New York City, Boston, London and Anywhere 2027: applications opened 24 August 2026 and close 18 November 2026; the programme starts 8 March 2027 and demo day is 3 June 2027.
Alchemist Accelerator vs Techstars: questions founders ask
Which invests more, Alchemist Accelerator or Techstars?
Techstars publishes a standard offer of US$220,000; Alchemist Accelerator does not publish one.
Which takes less equity, Alchemist Accelerator or Techstars?
They publish the same stake: 5%.
Which closes first, Alchemist Accelerator or Techstars?
Techstars closes on 18 November 2026; Alchemist Accelerator has no published deadline ahead.
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