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Top 10 New York startup accelerators

While San Francisco is the West Coast capital of tech startups, New York is undoubtedly the closest East Coast equivalent. Many startup unicorns (ie. TripleLift, Katapult) were conceived in New York, and received their first funding from notable NYC startup accelerators like ERA.

As part of our going series of free fundraising resources and investor lists for founders, this article will explore the top 10 startup accelerators (ranked by the number of portfolio companies) based in New York, with details on each accelerator’s investment focus, history and portfolio size.

1. (ERA) Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator

(ERA) Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator

Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA) is New York City’s leading technology accelerator and early-stage venture capital fund. It has invested in 330+ start-ups since launching in 2011. ERA alumni companies, who come from all over the world, are already playing leading roles in the evolution of virtually every major global industry. To date, ERA alumni companies have raised more than $2 billion in capital and collectively exceed $10 billion in market capitalization. ERA runs two four-month sessions per year one each in the winter and summer. They invest $150,000 on a post-money SAFE in return for 6% of each company selected. In addition to this financial investment, ERA companies are immersed in their mentor-driven program. ERA also provides free office space, free hosting credits with several major cloud providers, and additional benefits through their legal, finance, accounting, and other business-service partners.

  • Founded: 2011
  • Portfolio Companies: 331
  • Website: eranyc.com

2. Forum Ventures

Forum Ventures

Forum Ventures is the leading early-stage fund, program and community for B2B SaaS startups. Founded in 2014 as Acceleprise, we’re on a mission to make the B2B SaaS journey easier, more accessible and successful for early-stage founders, through pre-seed and seed-stage funding, high touch programming, corporate perks and introductions, and an active SaaS community. Forum For Founders, their pre-seed program, provides founders with $100k in funding and 15 intense weeks of talks, events, mentorship and 1:1 guidance focused on go to market and fundraising. Forum Seed, their seed fund, backs exceptional SaaS startups at the seed-stage both from within and outside of the pre-seed program. With over 250 portfolio companies, Forum founders have gone on to raise from NEA, Andreessen Horowitz, Uncork Capital, 8VC, Founders Fund, Menlo Ventures, Canaan, Bowery Capital, Susa Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, SV Angel, True Ventures and many more. Learn more at www.forumvc.com

  • Founded: 2012
  • Portfolio Companies: 324
  • Website: forumvc.com

3. Techstars New York City Accelerator

Techstars New York City Accelerator

Techstars is the world’s most active pre-seed investor having invested in more than 3,800 companies. Founded in 2006, Techstars is on a mission to invest in an unprecedented number of startups per year to enable more capital to flow to more entrepreneurs around the world in order to deliver exceptional returns to their investors. They do this by operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, as well as by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities. Their results show why Techstars is Better for Founders than any other global accelerator: On average, 74.5% of Techstars companies will raise money within 3 years of their program; 18.5% of Techstars portfolio companies have exited 5 years after their program and 31.1% after eight years (PitchBook June 2023)

4. Starta VC

Starta VC

Starta VC’s main mission is to introduce international startups to best practices, trusted advisers and mentors, and overcome cultural differences through a customized educational program at Starta Accelerator. They help startups to gain traction in the US and become part of the local startup and investing ecosystem. Diversity is one of their strong points: 150+ portfolio companies with founders coming from Eastern and Western Europe, US, Africa, Latin America.

  • Founded: 2011
  • Portfolio Companies: 158
  • Website: starta.vc

5. XRC Labs

XRC Labs

XRC Labs is an innovation accelerator for the next generation of disruptors in the retail and consumer goods sectors. It run two programs each year that bring together entrepreneurs, investors, brands, and retailers to foster rapid innovation and unlock new opportunities in retail. Startups receive access to capital, mentoring, operational support and workspace in the heart of Manhattan, the epicenter of retail and consumer goods. XRC Labs works closely with best-in-class retailers, brands and technology companies to empower them to meet the needs of consumers today and for generations to come.

  • Founded: 2015
  • Portfolio Companies: 117
  • Website: xrclabs.com

6. Grand Central Tech

Grand Central Tech

GCT is a community of startups and strategic partners that breaks from the traditional accelerator model by providing an unparalleled value proposition. Housed in Facebook’s former NY Headquarters overlooking Grand Central, GCT’s provides NYC’s premier early-stage startups all the critical resources to achieve scale. Accepted companies receive a full year of free office space, in-house talent recruitment team, a global network of investors, access to Fortune 1000 corporate partners, access to mentors/advisors, as well as legal/tax/PR/accounting services. GCT takes NO EQUITY and charges NO RENT. Applications are open now until November 22, 2019: www.grandcentraltech.com

7. Blueprint Health

Blueprint Health

Blueprint Health is an NYC based accelerator program that supports entrepreneurs who are building innovative companies at the intersection of health and technology. Their program provides access to capital, clients, and most critically, the largest and most engaged healthcare-specific mentor community of any accelerator in the world.

8. Big Idea Ventures

Big Idea Ventures

Big Idea Ventures is the world’s most active investor in FoodTech – their goal is to invest in the best Food and Agri-Tech companies globally. The company has contributed to the development of the growing alternative protein industry since its inception and has become a global leader in food innovation. BIV is backed by a strong network of strategic partners including AAK, Avril, Bühler, Givaudan, Temasek Holdings, and Tyson Ventures, and is partnering with governments around the world working on food security and new food ecosystems. The firm has offices in New York, Paris, and Singapore and has invested in more than 100 companies across 25 countries.

9. Starta Accelerator

Starta Accelerator

Starta Accelerator is an Accelerator specializing in technology startups with European R&D roots. It seeks to invest in technology companies. Starta Accelerator seeks to invest in Eastern Europe with a focus on Russia. It seeks to invest $130,000 of which $110,000 in Program Services and $20,000 Cash in both program value and cash in exchange for 7 percent equity and also provides an additional $20,000 to startups that perform well in the program. Starta Accelerator runs a 14-week acceleration program and a 3.5 month mentorship program. It began operation in 2015, with its headquarters in New York City as a subsidiary of Starta Ventures.

10. ICONYC labs

ICONYC labs

ICONYC labs is a accelerator firm specializes in early-stage and startups. It invests in early-stage Israeli tech startups looking to accelerate growth and cut time to market. ICONYC seeks investments in Enterprise Software, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Health, Drones, Fintech, Digital Media. Arie Abecassis and Eyal Bino founded it on March 29, 2015, with its headquarters in New York City.

 

Applying to a startup accelerator? Create the perfect pre-seed pitch deck:

Are you interested in learning how to write and design a winning pitch deck for your startup? You may be interested in our popular Accelerator Pitch Deck template — designed by experts who have helped startups close millions in funding from top investors. Here are some other resources for founders in the education space:

Accelerator Pitch Deck: Powerful slides designed to win pitch contests & accelerators | VIP Graphics

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