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Techstars vs 500 Global Flagship Accelerator
What Techstars and 500 Global Flagship Accelerator each invest, the equity they take, who they suit and when applications close, from each programme's own pages.
Techstars vs 500 Global Flagship Accelerator
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%).
500 Global Flagship Accelerator
- Funding
- not published Up to US$50k at entry, with potential for up to US$1M more as the company progresses; instrument and equity are not published on the programme page
- Instrument
- not published
- Equity taken
- not published
- Programme fee
- not published The programme page shows a Phase 1 fee of US$35k per startup, excluding travel, in copy that is partly unfinished; confirm the fee with 500 Global before applying
- Duration
- not published
- Cohort size
- not published
- Cohorts
- not published
- Delivery
- In person
- Stages
- Idea, pre-seed
- Sectors
- Sector-agnostic
- Open to founders from
- not published
- Perks
-
- Access to 500 Global's network of VCs
- Mentorship from operator-investors, alumni founder coaches and entrepreneurs in residence
- Community of 6,000+ founders
Runs for four months in San Francisco. Batch 37 runs from 30 November 2026 to 9 April 2027.
Techstars: full listing · 500 Global Flagship Accelerator: full listing
Where they differ
| Term | Techstars | 500 Global Flagship Accelerator |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | US$220,000 | not published |
| Equity taken | 5% | not published |
| Instrument | SAFE | not published |
| Programme fee | not published | not published |
| Duration | not published | not published |
| Cohorts | not published | not published |
| Delivery | Hybrid | In person |
| Stages | Pre-seed, seed | Idea, pre-seed |
| Sectors | Sector-agnostic | Sector-agnostic |
| Based in | United States | San Francisco, United States |
| Next deadline | 18 November 2026 | not published |
Which fits whom
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
500 Global Flagship Accelerator fits founders
- At the idea or pre-seed stage
- Who can be in San Francisco for the programme
- In any sector
- Who will ask about equity first: the terms are not published
Application dates
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.
500 Global Flagship Accelerator
Batch 37: applications closed 16 October 2026; the programme starts 30 November 2026.
Techstars vs 500 Global Flagship Accelerator: questions founders ask
Which invests more, Techstars or 500 Global Flagship Accelerator?
Techstars publishes a standard offer of US$220,000; 500 Global Flagship Accelerator does not publish one.
Which takes less equity, Techstars or 500 Global Flagship Accelerator?
Techstars takes 5%; 500 Global Flagship Accelerator does not publish its equity terms.
Which closes first, Techstars or 500 Global Flagship Accelerator?
Techstars closes on 18 November 2026; 500 Global Flagship Accelerator has no published deadline ahead.
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