Top 12 Incubators & Accelerators In NYC (2024)

Are you looking for capital and/or mentorship for your startup? New York City (NYC) has many of the world’s top startup accelerators. Beyond funding, they also offer entrepreneurs and founders incredible valuable support for product development, sales and marketing.

Whether you are looking to find a co-founder, build your MVP and/or get the seed money you need to scale up, accelerators are the way to go.

In this article we have listed our top 12 startup accelerators in NYC. So, if you haven’t yet started to apply, here is a good place to start learning about them.

This article is part of a series where we present you the top incubators and accelerators across the US. For the North East, check out our rankings for Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC.
Looking for NYC's top venture capital firms instead? Check out our ranking here.

Top 12 Startup Accelerators In New York City (NYC)

Here’s a summary table of the top 12 startup accelerators in New York City / NYC (in alphabetical order):

* Founders commit 4 to 6% equity (see more on that here)

** Founders commit 4% to the Founder Institute Collective (see more on that here)

*** companies may receive investment at Demo day from external investors ($1.7 billion total raised from 240 startups since 2012)

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Accelerator vs. Incubator: What’s The Difference?

Using the terms “accelerator” and “incubator” interchangeably is a common mistake. Whilst they are similar and sometimes can be found under the same roof (organisation), they are very different.

Startup Incubators

As the name suggests, startup incubators are tailored more to startups still in their incubation period for their ideas. As such, incubators help startup founders turn their ideas into early working prototype versions of a product or service.

Joining an incubator comes with many perks for early stage businesses. For example, incubators will typically let you use office spaces for twelve months, and in some cases every several years. 

Yet, not all incubators are equal. Some might be specialised on a specific industry, and others on a specific expertise: do you want to work on your Minimal Viable Product (MVP), or are you looking for help to kick-start your sales and marketing efforts?

Therefore, if you’re interested in joining an incubator program, you should first ask for feedback from founders who are currently in the program. You should find out how long they’ve been with the program and what growth they have achieved with its help. 

Startup Accelerators

In contrast, startup accelerators are ideal for startups that have already gathered some momentum. That’s why startup accelerators are best for startups with a complete cofounding team, a MVP, and that are looking to accelerate their growth (commercialise their product / service). 

Accelerator programs usually take place between a few weeks to a couple of months. In that time, they’ll give you access to their network, connections, knowledge, and a relatively small amount of funding for your startup. 

When looking for an accelerator program, it is crucial to do your research. Identify the program’s list of alumni. Who among their startups experienced success? How many failed? Who are in their list of mentors, and what accomplishments do these people have that you think would help you succeed in your business?

Taking the time to find the best-fit startup accelerator for your business is essential. After all, you’ll be trusting these people to help your business succeed. 

1.AngelPad

Founded in 2010, AngelPad is a seed-stage accelerator based in New York and San Francisco.

The accelerator runs 2 programs every 6 months where it selects 15 startups amongst more than 2,000 applicants.

Since inception, AngelPad has helped 150 companies raise more than $2.2Bn in funding across various tech industries: SaaS, Marketplaces, Core Technology, Advertising, API, Mobile, Healthcare, AI, Data, B2B, etc.

2.Betaworks Camp

Founded by the venture capital firm Betaworks, Betaworks Camp is a thematic accelerator program that takes places for 3 months in NYC. It’s “thematic” because each cohort has its own industry theme.

In addition to sessions with industry experts, 1:1 mentoring from the Betaworks VC team, startups get a free desk space in Manhattan as well as a $200,000 equity investment.

3.Blueprint Health

Blueprint is a healthcare-focused startup accelerator that runs for 3 months in Soho, New York City.

In return for participating to the program, startup need to give away 6% to the accelerator. Also, startups get access to 1:1 mentoring sessions, networking events and support in preparing for Demo Day when they can raise money from external investors.

Since their start, Blueprint has accelerated over 90 startups, of which 80% are still in business and 10+ are already generating $1M+ ARR.

4.Dreamit

Founded in 2008, Dreamit runs 3 separate accelerator programs in Health Tech, Secure Tech and Urban Tech. Since 2008 they have accelerated over 350 startups in total.

Dreamit’s programs run for 3 months and are designed for companies with either revenue or pilots. Indeed, Dreamit’s accelerator programs is on scaling, customers and capital, not building a product.

Startups also benefit from investment of up to $500,000 in the form of a SAFE note.

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5. ERA

With over 500 dedicated mentors, Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA) is one of NYC’s largest startup accelerator. Each year, they run 2x 4-month programs for startups from any industry.

To date, their alumni companies have raised over $1 billion in investor capital for a combined $6 billion valuation.

Moreover, ERA companies startups benefit from a $100,000 upfront investment as well as a potential follow-on funding from ERA’s fund.

6.Fintech Innovation Lab

Based in New York City, London and Hong Kong, FinTech Innovation Lab is a startup accelerator accepting applications from early to later-stage FinTech companies.

To date, they have accelerated over 270 companies and helped them raise a total $2.7 billion funding.

Yet, unlike most accelerators, FinTech Innovation Lab doesn’t invest directly in any startup. Instead, startups may raise funding at the end of the 12-weeks program, at Demo Day.

7.Food Future Co

Food Future Co is world’s first scale-up accelerator designed for Food Tech, Agri Tech and social and environmental companies.

Each year, they select 4 to 8 startups that benefit from a $10,000 upfront investment. Startups also benefit from a5-month program where they are exposed to industry experts and investment partners to help them through business strategy, growth, scale, operations and logistics.

8.Founder Institute

The Founder Institute is another one of the top global pre-seed startup accelerators. With offices in over 200 cities and 65 countries worldwide, the Founder Institute is everywhere and has invested in 5,000+ startups to date.

Also, like any of their other chapters worldwide, their NYC pre-seed accelerator runs 4-month programs at the end of which graduate founders must commit 4% equity to the Founder Institute Collective (see more on that here).

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9.NY Fashion Tech Lab

Founded in 2014 by the venture capital firm Springboard Enterprises, NY Fashion Tech Lab is an accelerator designed for women-led, b2b, fashion & retail focused technology companies.

Their program runs for3 months during which startup receive mentorship from leading fashion retailers and VC firms. Founders also benefit from workshops and panel discussions on issues relevant to fashion technology companies.

10.Metaprop

Metaprop is a 22-week accelerator program based in NYC and designed for Prop Tech companies. Since their inception in 2015, Metaprop has accelerated over 50 companies.

Startups benefit from $250,000 upfront investment as well as workshop and events. Founders are also exposed to select C-level mentors from the industry.

Finally, startup can also benefit from up to $200,000 worth of goods, credits, discounts and services from the accelerator’s program partners.

11.Startup Health

Founded in 2011, Startup Health is one of NYC’s leading accelerators designed for health tech business. Since their inception they have accelerated over370 startups from 27 countries of which over 80% are still in activity today.

Startups benefit from community-driven coaching, and a dedicated media platform for knowledge sharing. Startup Health also invests$20,000 in return for 2% equity.

12.XRC Labs

XRC Labs runs an accelerator program designed for startups in the Retail Technology and Consumer Goods industries, from post-Seed to Series A. Since their start, they have accelerated over 80 startups in their NYC hub.

Each year, they run 2x programs for a period of14 weeks. In addition to a $135,000 upfront investment, startups may also receive follow-on investment from their own VC fund, XRC Opportunity Fund.

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