So, you want to join an accelerator, jumpstart your young company and maybe see your tech become the next big thing?
These business development programs — often supported by corporations that might later purchases services from the startups they mentor — can offer financing, governance and connections. You want to be sure that it’s a good fit and worth the time.
But how do you choose one?
In reality, the process of deciding which accelerator to join is more like picking where to go to college: Ultimately, once you apply, the accelerator will choose you (that is, your company). To find the one that’s the right fit, you need to understand what specific accelerators are looking for and what they want from startups like yours.
“There are examples of programs run by corporations where it’s frankly a bit of a PR exercise,” says Luke Butler, executive director of startup