by Paul Miller As we commence working about the Startup Factories there are some important things we need to get straight. First off we have to attempt to settle on the definition of what constitutes an accelerator program. Quora is doing an excellent work of listing the sort of scheme we’re interested in as they pop up,
Windows 7 X86, but what are the defining features? Our 1st thoughts are: They work with pre-seed stage companies – usually with small teams (2-4 people) of first time founders.
They are selective – they have some form of application process, this could either be by referral or by an open application system with expert judgement that picks the most promising companies.
They are time bound – they have an intense period of support for companies that usually lasts for three months, although there is often some form of support beyond this period.
They support teams in cohorts – they tend to take companies in batches to create peer support. This can be anything from six per cohort up to over 30 in the case of Y-Combinator.
They have a heavy focus on mentoring – bringing in people from the local tech and business communities to help the companies
They have the aim of securing further funding for companies. Accelerators are often described as ‘on ramps’ to the investment world. Then there are some features that accelerators have different approaches to: Providing shared office space – Y-Combinator and Seedcamp don’t provide shared office space,
Office 2007 Activation, Techstars and Springboard do.
Providing finance at the beginning of the method – While most accelerators do provide finance up front, Village Capital for example provide a prize at the end of the program. I’m sure we’ll come up with a sharper definition as the project progresses – in the grand scheme of important things it’s early days for the accelerator model and factors will change over the next very few years. There’s also a lot of room for diversity within the model because the context makes a big difference. Whereas we know an awful lot about starting companies using bank credit because the model has been in place for centuries, we’re only just learning how to create and support new businesses in the internet age.
Related articles The Startup Factories (paulmiller.org)
TechStars’ European Affiliate Startupbootcamp Launches In Madrid,
Office 2007 Product Key, Berlin And London To Follow (techcrunch.com)
Start-Up 100: Could Europe build a Y Combinator? (telegraph.co.uk) Tags: Business,
Office 2007 License, Seedcamp, Springboard, Techstars,
Office Ultimate 2007 Key, Venture capital, Y Combinator