Accelerators and Incubators

For latest version: please go to https://academicentrepreneurship.pubpub.org/pub/fqa1v2l5/release/5 Incubators and accelerators are powerful resources that offer critical support to startups at progressive stages in their development. Each program has different goals: general business training, preparation to raise funds, creating a network of mentors and potential customers, etc. Startups can sometimes complete these programs without any associated costs, but they might need to dilute ownership. Before committing to an incubator or accelerator program, there are a number of considerations academic entrepreneurs should evaluate: ○ Is the program the right fit for the company’s needs? ○ Is full commitment to the program’s requirements possible? Corporate-sponsored and corporate-run accelerators may provide the following additional advantages: ○ Potential commercialization partner and/or investor; ○ Field-specific expertise and technical mentoring.