What is the best accelerator program in the world, you ask? With the world becoming a global village and innovations taking society by storm, accelerators have become integral in providing a meeting place for the two.

Accelerators are programs that provide startups with mentorship, funding, and other resources to help them grow and succeed. As a startup, becoming a part of an accelerator program is fundamental for your success. All the resources provided, the funding, and the mentorship can collectively create the foundation for your ideas to become a reality instead of trying out on your own with an increased risk of failure.

However, choosing the best accelerator program for your startup is a process on its own. Well, most times you try your luck and they decide whether to pick you or not depending on the societal challenge your startup is trying to solve and how well that aligns with their acceleration goals. Regardless, you have to ensure you are applying in the right place.

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Below is a list of the world’s best accelerator programs you should apply to for increased chances of success. I have to state a disclaimer that getting into these programs may not be a walk in the park due to high competition and entry standards. But you never know. Your startup idea can be just what they are looking for.

1. Y Combinator

This the best accelerator program in the world and for a good reason. The startups Y combinator has funded since it was started in 2005 are valued at more that $600 billion. The main industries of focus for this accelerator program are high-growth startups, seed-stage startups, ecommerce, and tech. You would want to be a part of the Y combinator accelerator program because it gives each participating company $500K in exchange for 7% equity. However, the acceptance rate of Y combinator is 2% of the over 10k startups that apply every six months, making the competition strong but worth it if you ask me.

2. Techstars

Techstars has invested in over 5,500 startups and accumulated $95B in market cap. In exchange for 6% equity, startups get up to $120K in investment and can participate in Techstars accelerator programs in person, virtually, or in a hybrid arrangement. The industries and businesses Techstars focuses on include first-time entrepreneurs, artificial intelligence, and tech. While the competition to get into the Techstars accelerator program is equally high, this accelerator aims to invest in an unprecedented number of startups per year. You just have to make them see that you are worth investing in.

3. 500 Startups

The number of startups invested in and their success rate present the yardstick for determining the best accelerator programs in the world. 500 Startups, with almost 3,000 startups invested in, provides seed and early-stage venture capital, invests $150k for 6% equity, and has a yearly intake program. Not only does 500 Startups focus on the industries and businesses of seed-stage and early-stage startups, internet, and ecommerce, but also provides sales, finance, product design, accounting, and marketing assistance.

4. Google for Startups 

Google for Startups is among the best accelerators in the world because in addition to investing in startups from different industries, such as artificial intelligence, tech, and seed to series A-stage startups, it also looks for startups in particular niches, such as climate tech startups, women founders, and Black founders. This accelerator program also provides equity-free investments and accepts between 10-15 startups every three months. Therefore, Google for Startups accelerator may have invested in only 1443 startups but the perks that come with it are among the best for any startup.

5. AngelPad

This is an accelerator that invests $120k in each of the 15 startups it admits every six months, alongside the perks of access to Digital Ocean, Google, and AWS cloud credits. AngelPad accelerator has been ranked in the US as the top accelerator every year since 2015 by MIT’s Seed Accelerator Benchmark. It has over $5B in portfolio investments and mainly focuses on seed-stage startups and tech industries and businesses. AngelPad may have invested in 183 startups only, but its reputation makes it an accelerator any startup would want to be a part of.

6. Microsoft 

This accelerator program was started just recently, but it is already among the best for your startup. Microsoft Accelerator has barely admitted 10 cohorts in its 10-week program but it is known for its critical resources that are best for cloud-based startups. Such include a GitHub Enterprise license, licenses for Microsoft 365, a $25k or more of credits to Azure cloud-computing services, and a networking platform for professionals in the tech industry. Microsoft Accelerator is great for innovative startups seeking access to tech resources, helping them cut costs and improve their performance.

7. SOSV

SOSV is an interesting accelerator because it is two in one, consisting of IndieBio and HAX. The latter is tech-oriented while the former is life oriented. SOSV accelerator programs provide a lot of financial resources for startups that get accepted and participate. For instance, the IndieBio gives participating startups $200K in cash and another $75k in kind for 11.2% post-debt equity. IndieBio also has a Genesis Consortium that gives another $250K to startups that fully participate in the 20-week program.

The HAX version of the SOSV accelerator only provides $250k investment for 14% equity from the startups that join the six-month program of hard tech. HAX also provides access to manufacturer and supply chain teams, additional investors, and industry startups.

Therefore, as a startup, you have the privilege of choosing which SOSV accelerator you want to join based on your niche or industry.

8. MassChallenge

MassChallenge is an accelerator program that is highly focused on fintech, biotech, healthtech, early-stage, and sustainability startups across the globe. It is among the best accelerator programs in the world because it is not-for-profit and does not also invest in startups in exchange for equity. This makes the accelerator startup-friendly. Due to its reputation and perks, you already can imagine the competition in getting in to the MassChallenge accelerator program. However, once you are in, the growth your startup will experience is exponential.

9. Plug and Play Tech Center

This accelerator has a 12-week program with a year-round application for startups at any stage, as well as those in the artificial intelligence and tech space. Plug and Play invests between $25k to $500k in winning startups. This already shows that the accelerator program is highly competitive but all participating startups have access to ongoing support, hundreds of events for networking, and over 300 investors. Hence, there is a lot to gain from becoming a part of the Plug and Play Tech Center program as a startup.

10. Startupbootcamp

For 10 to 14 weeks, Startupboocamp offers 20 industry-specific accelerator programs for startups across the globe, investing over $500k in deals and living expenses of participating startup for an equity of between 6% to 8%. The industries of focus for Startupbootcamp accelerator include foodtech, Insurtech, fintech, and Internet of Things. If your startup is in any of these industries, you may consider this accelerator program.

In summary, the best accelerator programs in the world are quite a number. A review of the industries of focus of these accelerators show that innovation and tech are taking over industries. Further, startups should be ready to give up a percentage of equity in exchange for the investment they receive from these accelerators. However, the resources, networking, and financial opportunities startups get are immense hence worth considering.