Accelerators & incubators to validate your idea
Accelerators, incubators and investor-run startup programmes. Everything below helps you validate your idea, ranked by editor score.
Updated October 2026 · 9 listings
How to choose accelerators & incubators to validate your idea
Read the deal terms (cash, equity, SAFE or not), talk to two founders from a recent batch, and check where the last cohort raised money afterwards. Apply early in the window: many programmes review on a rolling basis and fill up before the deadline.
YC Startup School 🚀 AcceleratorFree
Y Combinator's free, self-paced online course with weekly progress updates and co-founder matching.
Entrepreneur First 🚀 AcceleratorFree
Co-founder matching for individuals, an equity-free living grant, then up to $250K (8% SAFE + MFN SAFE).
South Park Commons Founder Fellowship 🚀 AcceleratorFree
$400K for 7% on a SAFE plus $600K guaranteed in your next round, for founders still finding their idea.
Antler 🚀 AcceleratorFree
Inception-stage investor in about 26 locations; in Europe EUR 100K for 8.5% plus EUR 100K on an MFN convertible.
Z Fellows 🚀 AcceleratorFree
One-week fellowship with an optional $10,000 investment at a $1B cap; rolling applications.
Berkeley SkyDeck Pad-13 🚀 AcceleratorFree
SkyDeck's incubator track for idea-stage teams with a University of California-affiliated founder.
STATION F Fighters Program 🚀 AcceleratorFree
Free STATION F programme in Paris for founders from atypical or underprivileged backgrounds.
ODF Founder Fellowship (formerly On Deck) 🚀 AcceleratorPaid
One-week, in-person founder sprint in San Francisco; non-dilutive, pay-what-you-can (suggested $1,000).
Founder Institute 🚀 AcceleratorPaid
Part-time pre-accelerator in 200+ cities: paid entrance fee plus a 2.5% equity warrant, no investment.
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