December 11, 2012
Resource: Every Incubator and Accelerator in NYC

Over the last three to five years, NYC has emerged as a major center of entrepreneurial growth and technological change on the global stage, driven by an influx of talent and capital in the wake of the near collapse of the financial system.  The growth of the resources directed toward entrepreneurs (as represented by capital, greater/dedicated media coverage, networking/mentoring opportunities and, especially, accelerator/incubator programs) serves as both evidence of the city’s rise to prominence, and as investment in the city as a vanguard of entrepreneurial and technological progress.

Despite (or maybe because of) the sheer growth of the resources available to NYC entrepreneurs, the relevant information for these programs is scattered across the web and either byzantine or out of date.* In light of this, I recently compiled a detailed database of every incubator and accelerator in NYC, as well as a map of their locations and a calendar with important deadlines for application for some of the start ups with which I work. Since the map and list of every coworking space in NYC that I recently posted got a pretty favorable response,  I wanted to share these, too.

Database, calendar and map are after the jump…

The following database has some more granular information about each program, including some important information that I wanted to know about each of the programs, including: key people, application processes, important dates, the amount of seed money offered, what they take in return, notable alumni and the focus of each program.  

Here’s a link to a spreadsheet of every incubator/accelerator and some extras in NYC (.xls)

Here’s a link to the google doc, where you can edit or update info.

Below, I’ve shared a Google Calendar that has all the listed application deadlines for NYC based incubators and accelerators.  I know that it is likely incomplete, but I’ve attempted to piece together publicly available information, anecdotal information and information from past years to piece together a fairly accurate portrait of important dates.  It’s a Google calendar, so please feel free to change, update or add any relevant dates and information:

Here’s a link to the same calendar.  If someone can figure out how to allow people to edit this (like the google spreadsheet below), please let me know.  

Here are some interesting pieces of information from the research:

  • For accelerators/incubators that have indicated a class size, the average size is about 15 teams.  The “high” is Y Combinator (at ~80), with 500 startups following (at ~30).  The “low” is Fin Tech Innovation Lab
  • Among accelerators/incubators that take equity stakes in participating companies, the average equity taken is about ~6%.  
  • The average amount awarded to participating companies by the accelerators/incubators is about $28k.  This number assumes the high end of every accelerator/incubator’s range of funding, but not any add-on investments.  
  • These programs typically last 3 months
  • Based on the figures provided by the programs that disclose the amount of money they give and what they take in return, these incubators/accelerators collectively value each of their participating companies at about $470,000.   Of course, almost every program also offers resources such as paid living expenses, free work space and access to service providers, as well as networking and mentoring opportunities and access to investors, so the level of service goes beyond seed investment. 
  • Every single incubator/accelerator goes to great lengths to suggest that the seed money they provide is among the least valuable resources they provide, instead emphasizing the importance of network, resources, mentoring and brand.  Based on post-participation valuations, fundraising figures and the number of jobs created by these companies, the incubators/accelerators aren’t just posturing. 
  • There is a robust, and growing enthusiasm for networks, events and programs specifically dedicated to women entrepreneurs.  
  • Large corporations and institutions play a material role in partnering with almost every incubator or accelerator.  

Some of the information included in the spreadsheet doesn’t necessarily fit into the traditional mold of an incubator or accelerator.  I decided to leave it because it’s another resource that someone might find helpful.  

**One notable exception to this is Jed Christiansen’s work at http://www.seed-db.com, which is a great resource that I, of course, did not find until after I had spent hours working on this.  Seed DB looks at seed accelerators on a global level, and has a lot of great information and statistics.  Seed-DB also looks at accelerators through a much more focused lens, whereas I am looking at basically anything that might give my companies a leg up.  

PS - I know that Y Combinator has nothing to do with NYC, but I included it anyway.  


  1. charlesbonello posted this
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