“It’s almost always harder to raise capital than you thought it would be, and it always takes longer. So plan for that.” – Richard Harroch, Venture Capitalist and Author.
A startup founder is versatile – he is an accountant, a marketer, a writer, an event organiser, a strategist, a planner and more. While the entrepreneur works on the basis of passion, dreams, and placing unique ideas on the table, investors work on hardcore realities which demands a profitable, sustainable and scalable business model. Even the founders who excel in their core areas as well as have sufficient work experience and understanding of the market, require a ‘Godfather’ to sail them through the big, bad world of investing.
Accelerators, as the name suggests, do the same or early-stage and growth-stage startups – accelerate. Accelerate the understanding of a startup’s product, set them on a path of more visibility and, in some cases, raise follow-on rounds.
With this thought in mind, as a part of Starting Up in India series, we at Inc42, have curated an exhaustive list of homegrown and global accelerators currently active in the Indian startup ecosystem.
[Note 1: The majority of the information mentioned in this article has been collated from the accelerators, their official websites data, and media releases.]
[Note 2: We have been unable to verify and find information for a few accelerators, for those with valid information, do email it to us.]
500 Startups
Launched In: 2010
Headquartered In: California
Founded By: Dave McClure, Christine Tsai
A Brief Overview
500 Startups is a leading global venture capital seed fund and startup accelerator. It manages $200 Mn in assets and has invested in 1300+ technology startups, globally. It offers a four-month 500 Seed program and 500 Series A Program in Mountain View and San Francisco. Startups get access to a network of 1000+ founders, 200+ mentors, focussed on marketing, culture, startup accounting, product design, mobile, user testing, sales and more. An opportunity to pitch to the investors is also provided on demo day, along with a chance to build connections and grow their network. In February 2016, it announced a $25 Mn India Fund, 500 Kulfi, which has now been deferred. 500 Startups has been in India since 2011.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Under the 500 Seed Program, it invests $150k in exchange for 6% equity and charges a $37.5K fee. While the 500 Series A Program provides a check size ranging from $150K-$250K, with $50K in programme fees.
- Focus Area(s): Consumer commerce, education, design, bitcoin, payment and financial service, adtech, IoT/drones/hardware, onlive video, foodtech, digital healthcare, cloud service, international and emerging markets.
- Some Startup Graduates: To date, over 600 startups have graduated from 18 batches in the past six years, globally. In November 2016, it announced its 19th batch with 44 startups from all over the world including Nigeria, India, Jordan, UK, Brazil, Spain and more. In India, it has invested in over 50 startups including ZipDial, Pricebaba, Instamojo, Targetingmantra, Kartrocket, and SocialCops. Startups which have been part of the accelerator’s earlier batches include InnovAccer, Tourlandish (now called Headout), Sourceasy, TargetingMantra, Credii, Seat 14A, Tushky, and more.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Hyderabad
Founded By: Raju Reddy
A Brief Overview
An initiative of 50K Ventures, it claims to be India’s first Go-To-Market accelerator. It is a four-month programme to help startups with their go-to market strategy and execution, business development, and enterprise customer engagement. It conducts a tri-annual programme with three startups in each batch. The core team consists of top executives and entrepreneurs from companies including Hitachi Consulting, BlackBerry, Tech Atlantis, and RedBus.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Startups are provided with facilities and resources. Post the completion of the programme, startups also stand a chance to raise funds.
- Focus Area(s): Payments, security and business interoperability
- Some Startup Graduates: The current portfolio includes only one startup, CheckOn.
Aarambh Ventures
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Greater Noida
Founded By: Pramod Saxena, Chairman and Managing Director of Oxigen Services, in partnership with IIT-Roorkee.
A Brief Overview
Aarambh works with startups where an innovator’s solution to a problem is being capitalised by an entrepreneur. The accelerator platform operates in two phases. The first phase provides infrastructure and tech support to the selected startups by setting up an idea lab at the IIT-Roorkee campus. The second phase is a 16-week accelerator programme located outside the campus in Greater Noida. The accelerator plans to select close to 100 ventures in the next two years. It aims at turning at least 20% of them into successful viable business ventures with funding.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: It looks for design/business innovation/use of affordable and radical technologies in startups, we work with. Startups with Proof of Concept (PoC) and/or with market validation and/or with early revenues. The programme includes workshops, coaching, networking, mentoring, weekly evaluation, coworking space, variety of events, speakers, demo day, legal and admin support.
- Focus Area(s): Fintech, cleantech, SaaS, AI, big data.
- Some Startup Graduates: One of its accelerated startups, Kalaage, raised INR 1.5 Cr in an funding round from RAIN, in September 2016. (We were unable to discover the information about other startups in its portfolio.)
AIM Smart City Accelerator
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Ashoka University, Sonepat, Haryana
Founded By: The accelerator is a partnership association of DLabs at the Indian School of Business, and Ashoka University.
A Brief Overview
In line with PM Narendra Modi’s Smart City Mission, the accelerator aims to identify, invest in, and support the best startups focussed on making cities a better place. It is a four-month programme, wherein beyond funding and mentoring, the accelerator will also liaise with the Government to consider the solutions proposed by selected startups. The programme is also supported by Microsoft’s BizSpark programme, under which selected startups can individually apply for up to $120K (INR 80 Lakhs) worth of Azure cloud computing.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Startups are judged on financial viability, technology feasibility, desirability to its target audience, sustainability of the solution and track record of the team. Startups who are between piloting or in the initial launch to pre-expansion phase can apply for the programme. The accelerator will be providing investments in the form of workshops, technology support, knowledge support, and financial investment. The net investment will be to the tune of $15K-12K (INR 10 Lakhs-INR 8 Lakhs) that includes an INR 8 Lakhs cash component. The accelerator may own nominal equity against the investment made during the cohort time duration.
- Focus Area(s): Startups working on smart city solutions in the areas of education, healthcare, transport & logistics, and infrastructure.
- Some Startup Graduates: The first cohort was concluded in August 2016. It listed eight startups viz. Exchange4Solar, Ajeevi, Gudgudee, Pump Charge, Smarter Clinics, Khetify, KONTEXT, and TRUCKERRS.
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: Mumbai
Founded By: Amplifi and XIME launched together the accelerator programme.
A Brief Overview
It is reportedly the country’s first and only B2B SaaS accelerator, with a three-month-long programme. These selected startups work out of the XIME campus in Bengaluru. The initiative aims to prepare each startup with a focused business pitch and a working or refined prototype. Amplifi’s program is available currently in Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi NCR and Kolkata and has been recently launched in Hong Kong.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: It offers infrastructure, mentoring, shared resources, access to corporates, angel investors and VCs plus credits from partners and service providers, for the entrepreneurs selected through this programme. To join the programme, startups should be incorporated as a Private Limited Company and must be in pre-revenue or pre-product market fit or pre-prototype stage of product development.
- Focus Area(s): B2B SaaS startups
- Some Startup Graduates: The first cohort which concluded in July 2016 included 6 startups viz. InsightNxt, Travdots, Pyplyn, Varsito, Tellofy, and Trilyo. In October 2016, Amplifi announced its second cohort with 10 startups: Health-n-Me, Till PoS, SuperWise, Krackzee, Keito, Bestosys, Virtual Spaces, Sociograph Solutions, Cumulus Technologies, and BricApp.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: Ansrsource founders and managers
A Brief Overview
Anscelerator stands for ansrsource Learning Accelerator. It is a 16-week programme, launched with an aim to discover and enhance learning technologies that can facilitate the effective authoring, design, and delivery of learning assets. Selected startups will get a chance to engage with a leading global learning solutions company, opportunity to work with global markets/business topics, and 3+1 months of office space in Bengaluru. Ansrsource hosted the Demo Day of the first cohort in January, 2017.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The programme provides startups with insight into the latest technology trends, client requirements, and industry best practices.
- Focus Area(s): Edtech
- Some Startup Graduates: Nittio Learn and InsightGURU
Appy Hours
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: The accelerator is launched by Appiness, a mobile app solution provider founded by Visakh Viswambharan, Sunil Thomas, and Rigin Velayudhan.
A Brief Overview
Appy Hours claims to be India’s only product partnership accelerator, which offers a collaborative, product-oriented, technology partnership programme for promising startups. It plans to add around 25 startups this year to its portfolio, of which five are already onboard.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The selected startups get access to Appiness products and resources for a part cash and part equity deal. Key resources include UX experts, developers (web, mobile, product), marketing, QA, analysts etc. The accelerator also helps startups in the quick roll out of minimum loveable product (MLP) and helps them until they raise institutional funding.
- Focus Area(s): Web, mobile, robotics, wearables, blockchain, VR and IoT.
- Some Startup Graduates: The current portfolio includes five startups: Trizzio, Scholfin, Sarvam, All Things Happy, Trustb.le from India and FleetMarket from New York.
Headquartered In: California
A Brief Overview
Autodesk is an American multinational software corporation, supporting entrepreneurs making a positive impact in social, cleantech, and environmental sectors. It also lays emphasis on early-stage hardware startups. It offers other impact programmes such as Sustainable Design Education Workshops for its customers, Technology Impact Program for non-profit organisations, and Making For Impact in the 3D printing space.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: It provides startups with free Autodesk digital prototyping software worth $150K, which can help them design, visualise, and simulate their ideas. Also, startups are provided access to exclusive three-year trainings, events, and co-marketing opportunities. To join, businesses should be less than 5 years old, have fewer than 10 employees, and have less than $1 Mn in annual revenue.
- Focus Area(s): Energy, water, transportation, waste, agriculture, built environment, health & well-being, marine.
- Some Startup Graduates: Being a global programme, it has around 200 startups in its portfolio. From India, Bengaluru-based FiasTech, Pune-based Arcatron Mobility, Enviro Tech, and Chennai-based Kabadiwalla Connect were selected, in March 2016. Other startups connected with Autodesk include Agrilution, Biolite, Bombora, FreeWire, LIM Innovations, Loowatt, NBD Nano, Planetary Power, RESA, Uncharted Play, Vantage Power, and WindPax.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Hyderabad
Founded By: The accelerator is launched by IIIT Hyderabad in partnership with 50K Ventures, T-Hub, and Co-creation Consulting.
A Brief Overview
IIIT-Hyderabad as a research institute, enables a supportive atmosphere for startups working in areas of deeptech. The selected startups are mentored by the resources of IIIT-H Foundation and its network through a structured programme. The six-month accelerator programme includes the investment committee of IIIT-H Foundation, 50K Ventures, T-Hub and other reputed VCs. The programmes will be customised for each startup basis their location and their current stage. It is not mandatory for these startups to relocate to Hyderabad for the same.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The committee selects up to 10 startups over a period of one year. Each startup is given a seed fund of $15K (INR 10 Lakhs), wherein IIIT-H Foundation and 50K Ventures will co-invest $7.4K (INR 5 Lakhs) each. The accelerator takes 2% percent equity. The seed fund is provided as a convertible debenture subscription.
- Focus Area(s): Deeptech, machine learning, AR/VR
- Some Startup Graduates: In May 2016, it selected Fabulyst, Sastra Robotics, and Endless Robotics for its first batch. Scholr was part of the second cohort. Recently, in January 2017, it selected five startups for its third batch which included Niche.ai, Blue Semiconductors, Authbase, DreamVu, and Docturnal.
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: Kris Gopalakrishnan, SD Shibulal, Srinath Batni, Ganapathy Venugopal, Tarun Khanna.
A Brief Overview
Axilor supports entrepreneurs in the first 24 months to move from idea to scale. The programme lasts 100 days and takes in less than 4% of applicants. As part of the programme, startups get dedicated access to experts and other entrepreneurs. They also receive partner benefits accruing up to $200K from AWS, Google, Microsoft and Facebook. Tools for market validation, prototyping and testing, free membership of Tracxn database, market access through partnerships with companies like Mindtree and other select partners are other benefits of the accelerator programme. The Axilor Accelerator Programme runs twice a year – March and September.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Startups that meet the investment goals get funding of up to $37K (INR 25 Lakhs). The startups must have a product and early adoption metrics in place. It also invite late stage companies working on a specific idea and wanting to revisit their business model to apply and finetune their solution.
- Focus Area(s): Consumer Internet, enterprise, fintech, AI, healthtech.
- Some Startup Graduates: To date, four batches have already passed from the accelerator. The first batch of startups joined the accelerator programme of Axilor in March 2015 with five startups, while the second batch (September 2015) included seven and third batch included nine startups. Although, it increased the batch size of September 2016 from 9 to 15, it included only nine startups which listed Bueno Labs, Fabulyst, InsightsIO, MatchBox, MiStay, LyTyFy, SeenIt, Trustio and TotalCloud. The other Axilor portfolio startups from previous batches includes PaySay, Storewalk, PushChamp, Xobin, Survaider, and PlaceofOrigin and more. Till August 2016, the accelerator has invested in a total of 12 startups and mentored over 20.
Brand Capital GSV
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Silicon Valley
Founded By: Brand Capital, formed a joint venture with GSVlabs that accelerates startups called BC-GSV Accelerator.
A Brief Overview:
Brand Capital GSV accelerator programme is a 15 week accelerator programme in Bengaluru, Gurugram and Silicon Valley. Each cohort has access to a startup programme that assembles the practices extracted from the best minds and ventures the world has seen. Further, it provides learning opportunities and connects entrepreneurs to networks of talent, investors, and media partners.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Programme provides access to mentorship from leaders in India and the Silicon Valley with dedicated mentor per startup. Apart from this it also provides media investment and distribution opportunities through the Times of India Group. They take equity in each participating venture, in exchange for the benefits made available through the BC-GSV platform.
- Focus Area(s): Edtech, Healthtech, Consumer services and Fintech
- Some Startup Graduates: Clorik, Enytime, FinUp, GeeksDemy, GrokCare, LivSharbati, Mate are few startups that have graduated from its first batch in May 2016. Applications to the second cohort are open till February 15, 2017.
Brigade REAP
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: Nirupa Shanka
A Brief Overview:
Supported by Microsoft Accelerator, Brigade Real Estate Accelerator Program (REAP) helps entrepreneurs to create sustainable and scalable businesses in the real estate industry by utilising technology. The four-month accelerator programme offers selected startups with resources, support, and mentorship from Industry leaders. The programme also provides customer access for product validation and adoption along with investor connects. It further helps startups to develop an in-depth investor pitch and business plan along with the opportunity to present to investors from across the country.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The accelerator selects those startups who have minimum two promoters with impeccable credential,s angel funding/seed investment is a must, and the startup should have customer traction and revenue stream with strong technology.
- Focus Area(s): IoT, cleantech & renewable energy, nanotechnology, visual computing, logistics & supply chain.
- Some Startup Graduates: Inviting application for its second batch, Qwikspec, Snaptrude, Constapark, AirZaar as some of the notable startups in its kitty. Recently, Qwikspec has raised funding in angel round from undisclosed investors.
Launched In: 2014
Headquartered In: Delhi
Founded By: Ashu Agrawal
A Brief Overview:
Business World Accelerator is a not-for-equity, multicity acceleration programme for early-stage startups with a minimum viable product (MVP). It is a three months programme which offers entrepreneurs with experienced hand holding, business intelligence, and market access.
It further offers entrepreneurs with learning and mentorship opportunities by business leaders from across sectors in the country, networking and market connect openings across Business World initiatives, and other ecosystem-partnered events and activities. It also connects these startups with angel investors, venture capital fund, strategic investors, and other institutional investors through the programme and exclusive pitch sessions with investor partners towards the end of the programme.
There are also focussed sessions and case studies by faculties from institutions in the country and abroad.
- Focus Area(s): Sector-agnostic
- SomeStartup Graduates: Actozen, Brevity, CollegeMedia, Cityfurnish, Connectofy, DIKY, Goounj are a few startups that have graduated from its second batch. Applications for the third batch is open.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: It was launched by Societe Generale Global Solution Centre (SG GSC)
A Brief Overview
CATALYST is a 10-week-long accelerator programme, wherein selected startups work on theme-based business challenges, under the mentorship of experts in those business areas.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The first phase of the accelerator is open for both emerging or mature startups. Startups are required to have a shelf-ready technology that can be customised and scaled for CATALYST themes. Selected startups receive a chance to work inside the SG GSC premises, access to in-house infrastructure, along with guidance and mentorship from subject matter experts. The aim is to help startups scale in real-time business scenarios.
- Focus Area(s): The first phase has covered four themes: AI & machine learning, big data/data visualisation, voice-to-text transcription, client sentiment analysis.
- Some Startup Graduates: Out of 30 applications, the first batch of selected 8 startups from Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mumbai. The list included Agora Analytics, Datum Informatics, FixNix Inc., GAVS Technologies, Lithasa Technologies (arya.ai), Stride.AI,, Tookitaki Technologies, and Uniphore Software Systems. In 2017, the accelerator is looking to work with fintech startups.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: Cisco
A Brief Overview
Cisco LaunchPad is more than an accelerator as it provides startups with an opportunity to be part of an innovative ecosystem. Its four-months accelerator programme offers startups a Go-To-Market engine to validate and scale innovative ideas. The Launchpad programme includes 4-6 startups in each cohort.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The accelerator provides startups with numerous benefits which include coworking space, workshops, speaker sessions, mentorship program, and investor/industry connects. Startups also have an access to Cisco’s technology platforms in wireless/mobility, IoT, collaboration, security, networking, and cloud. Startups that are selected by Cisco Launchpad get a grant of $8,000 upon graduation and up to $500 per month is available to support ther IT needs. The final selection is based on the strength of the business idea/plan, team capabilities, and relevance to focus areas. Cisco selects startups that have an innovative and scalable idea coupled with a great team.
- Focus Area(s): Networking and infrastructure, collaboration, security, IoT, video, analytics, cloud, machine learning/Deep Learning/Natural Language Processing, visualisation/UX, virtual reality, Smart Things, last-mile connectivity
- Some Startup Graduates: AlgoEngines, VuNet, Teslon, Torchfi, Navstik Labs, HaltDos, Astrome and IQLECT have graduated from batch one in January 2017.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Pune
Founded By: The accelerator has been launched by the MIT Institute of Design, Design and Technology University.
A Brief Overview
DesignGild is a design-focussed accelerator which aims to provide high-quality design mentorship and resources to passionate individuals and teams to create design-led business. Startups are provided with strategic design consulting, design co-founders, and hands-on design services to enable seamless integration of design in business. The average duration of the programme is six months, and a customised road map is created for every selected startup.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Selected startups will have access to mentors, field experts, academic researchers, enthusiastic design students panning 10 design disciplines and all prototyping resources along with access to investors. The deployment of funds is mediated by DesignGild to ensure focus on design activities and resources and for it, and shares an equity of maximum 3% to 4%. The main focus is towards startups with any product or service idea. DesignGild will not be supporting designers who plan to set up a design service-based agency.
- Focus Area(s): Startups from any sector and stage are eligible to apply.
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: Pune
Founded By: The accelerator has been launched by MAEER’s MIT Group of Institutions MIT Academy of Engineering.
A Brief Overview
Edugild is a global edtech accelerator which offers a 12-to-18 month revenue readiness and product realisation programme. It acts as a catalyst for creating exciting scale opportunities and habits for the future generations. Edugild conducts two batches every year. Some of the strategic partners of the accelerator include Cambridge University Press, EPG UK, JMD Edu China, EdTech Israel, Brand Capital, VIT Vellore, Fresco Capital and more.
- Focus Area(s): Edtech, augmented reality, virtual reality, learning analytics, adaptive learning, skills assessment, university destinations, Robotics, corporate learning solutions in knowledge management.
- Some Startup Graduates: Two batches and 11 startups have graduated from the accelerator. The first batch was concluded in February 2016 with four startups- Simulanis, Classboat, Gradopedia, and Instafeez. In September 2016, the second batch concluded with seven startups – Ahhaa.co, Edorble, Ekin Knowledge Enabled, ProctorEdu to name few. Gradopedia has even received follow-on funding.
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: Noida
Founded By: A joint initiative of Entrepreneurial Spark, UK and Viridian Ventures.
A Brief Overview
The accelerator supports startups in India and offer upto 18-month programme to Indian entrepreneurs along with a platform that includes infrastructure, seed capital and mentoring. Espark-Viridian’s centres are located in Gandhinagar, Chandigarh, Greater Noida (NCR) and Mumbai. Additional centres are being rolled out in other major business nerve centres across India.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The accelerator looks for early- and growth-stage startups. The selected startups receive seed funding as per investors terms and conditions .
- Focus Area(s): Sector-agnostic; encourages applications from core sector innovation, women entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship.
- Some Startup Graduates: Till now more than 40 startups have been graduated from the accelerator which includes startups like Matrubharti, PlayLab, ProBazzar, KleverMind, ParentZap, Accelerate Social Kount, Propel to name few.
First Light Accelerator
Launched In: 2012
Headquartered In: New Delhi
Founded By: Karthik Chandrasekar
A Brief Overview
An energy-focussed accelerator, First Light India provides risk capital and support to seed-stage enterprises. The accelerator, which is an early-stage venture capital fund, provides startups with a high level of technical and business development assistance including access to expertise from First Light and Shell Foundation networks and partners.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: GE Healthcare
A Brief Overview
five.eight is aimed at improving healthcare outcomes for the world’s developing economies. The accelerator targets global health startups with a vision to improve healthcare quality and accessibility in developing or low-resource settings – from education and training to disruptive, low-cost technologies, and digital applications.Through the programme, GE Healthcare and each startup will focus on commercially scaling healthcare innovations for emerging economies, with the potential for GE Healthcare distribution of the startup product, or integration of the service into GE Healthcare’s Affordable Care Portfolio.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criterion: The accelerator selects up to 10 startups in each batch. The potential candidates are provided with up to $5 Mn funding on a case-by-case basis. The startups selected in five.eight will also be able to access resources and connections with other GE global innovation centres in Helsinki, Cardiff, Istanbul, Calgary, Johannesburg, Dubai etc.
- Focus Area(s): Mother and child care, cardiology, oncology, radiology, surgery and primary care
- Some Startup Graduates: Tricog Health is the first company selected by the accelerator. The first batch will include portfolio companies from four social impact investors -Acumen, Aavishkaar-Intellecap Group, Unitus Seed Fund and Villgro as the initial applicants for the first accelerator programme.
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: Coimbatore
Founded By: The accelerator programme is an initiative promoted by Coimbatore Innovation and Business Incubator (CIBI).
A Brief Overview
Forge follows a two-stage model comprising – FORGE.FIRST and FORGE.FAST. The former is a product accelerator programme offering tech infrastructure, startup grants, and resources along with easy access to mentors, experts and early adopters. The latter, however, is a business accelerator programme which offers access to seed capital, intensive mentoring and consulting support, aimed at validating the potential for growth with less cash and in quick time. The programme begins with a Minimum Viable Business (MVB) BootCamp, followed by a three-to-six month accelerator programme aimed at preparing selected startups to raise Seed capital from Forge with potential for co-investment from angel/VC partners.
- Focus Area(s): Connected devices, industrial Internet, digital businesses.
- Some Startup Graduates: Earlier in August 2016, Forge accelerator organised a bootcamp for 33 education technology startups followed by a pitchfest. where startups like Skaas, SchoolSaamaan, and Praqtise emerged winners.
GenNext Hub
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: Mumbai (Reliance Corporate Park (RCP))
A Brief Overview
The GenNext Hub accelerator programme helps startups scale up to a minimum viable company. Its four-month programme provides startups access to funding, business mentors, technical and design experts, plug and play office space and other resources. GenNext Hub, which is supported by Microsoft Accelerator, allows startups to get access to Microsoft business units for product feedback, marketing, and technical guidance including the Microsoft BizSpark programme.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The accelerator provides an option for startups to receive investments from it, during the early part of the programme. At the same time, it also conducts funding workshops and closed door interactions for startups with prominent investors from the ecosystem. The selection of startups is on the basis of their team, technology, market opportunity, scalability, and alignment with value pools. In short, the startup should be a registered entity, have a strong founding team consisting of a mix of business and technical expertise with some market traction.
- Focus Area(s): Digital technology
- Some Startup Graduates: In March 2015, completed first batch with 11 startups- CarIQ, LogiNext, Playport, Axlerate. In September 2016, accelerator concluded its third batch. Codemojo, DATTUS, Don’t Scratch Your Head (DSYH), Happy2Refer (H2R), Headspin are a few startups that graduated from the batch.
Launched In: 2014
Headquartered In: Gurugram
Founded By: Vikram Upadhyaya
A Brief Overview
The six-month accelerator programme provides startups with the necessary resources and controlled environment, which enables them to build scalability and achieve healthy business metrics in order to reach Series A funding in a shorter time frame.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Seed funding from $50K- 200K.
- Focus Area(s): Healthtech, edtech, fintech, IoT, AR/VR, AI, big data, SaaS.
- Some Startup Graduates: FitMeIn, Applop, My Taxi India are the few notable startups that have graduated from the accelerator programme. FoodPort, Applop, CaRMP, AddUrCup have received follow-on funding.
Headquartered In: Singapore
Founded By: Anand Govindaluri
A Brief Overview
The Govin Capital Startup Accelerator is a global innovation network that accelerates early stage startups into great businesses. It has offices in Chennai and Vishakapatnam. The accelerator offers early stage startups a six-month programme with extensive support from over 150 mentors, to help them achieve a scalable business model along with technological leadership. In June 2016, it also partnered with Pune-based Seed Infotech to launch the Pune chapter of its Startup Accelerator India.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: It basically selects startups at the ideation stage and invests around $15 Mn- $1,493,196 (INR 1 Cr- INR 10 Cr) for up to a 20% stake.
- Focus Area(s): The accelerator is open to all industries with a major focus on sectors such as edtech, medtech, foodtech, IoT, ecommerce, virtual reality, thin SaaS, fashiontech, tourism.
- Some Startup Graduates: The current portfolio includes eight startups: HealthSaathi, Unihalt, Greenline Labs, Palash IVF, CIALFO, CellBeans. It has, to date, funded around 10 startups in India.
Launched In: 2012
Headquartered In: Gurugram
Founded By: Rajesh Sawhney
Brief Overview
Having a global community of over 400 mentors and startup founders, GSF Global Accelerator is a 13-week programme which aims to provide selected startups with unparalleled access to venture and business networks, personalised and intensive mentoring, and initial capital. The selected Indian tech startups must relocate themselves to NCR for the duration of the programme. It provides accommodations to those entrepreneurs who come from outside NCR. Furthermore, shortlisted startups have to complete phone screens and an in-person interview with the investment team before being called up.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: GSF invests $30K-$60K at 8%-9% equity in selected startups. It also does follow-on rounds of up to $500K into a few select startups after the programme. GSF funds those startups that have built at least an initial prototype.
- Focus Area(s): Internet, mobile
- Some Startup Graduates: The portfolio mentions companies like Little Eye Labs (acquired by Facebook in 2014), SilverPush (funded by IDG Ventures and 500 startups), Zapr (funded by Flipkart and Saavn), Overcart (funded by JSW and Omidyar), HackerEarth (funded by Prime Venture), Flinto (funded by Globevestor and Others), Browntape (funded by Seedfund and others), Timesaverz (funded by Unilazer Ventures and others), Dailyrounds (funded by Accel), Pluss App (funded by IDG and others), DocsApp (funded by Rebright and others), Gamezop (funded by Kwan and others) and more.
Launched In: 2012
Headquartered In: Shenzhen (China), Guangdong (China), and San Francisco
Founded By: Cyril Ebersweiler, Sean O’Sullivan
A Brief Overview
Hax Accelerator is reportedly the world’s first hardware accelerator, with over 150 companies launched in the past four years and combined revenues and investments of over $0.5 Bn. It runs two programmes every year and invites startups at the pre-launch stage. It then recruits fifteen teams of two to five entrepreneurs who have a concept or an early prototype for a high-growth startup.
The startups are provided with expertise and mentorship from over 50 mentors, given seed funding, a shared office and lab space, specialised staff to help with design, sourcing, DFM, and more. The selected teams relocate to its offices in Shenzhen, China for 111 days, where they finalise prototypes and learn to scale their businesses. The final two weeks of the programme are spent in refining the startups’ pitches and are prepared for their demo day showcase and launch event in San Francisco. Also, for startups at post-launch stage, it runs HAX Boost in San Francisco.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: It does seed investment in the range of $25K – $200K against 6%-9% equity. Startups also receive access to the SOS Ventures Hardware scaling fund. The selection criterion depends upon startup team, market opportunity, and ideas which are solving real problems or creating a meaningful change in the current technological state.
- Focus Area(s): Hardware+software, mobile, consumer electronics, wearables, Robotics
- Some Startup Graduates: A total of nine batches have graduated from the accelerator so far, thereby, investing in over 163 companies globally. It recently held its 9th demo day, in January 2017. The accelerator announced to invest in Indian hardware startups in June 2016 and made its first investment in October 2016, in Bengaluru’s Riot.
Launched In: 2014
Headquartered In: Hyderabad
Founded By: Pradeep K Jaisingh
A Brief Overview
The HealthStart accelerator programme is dedicated to early-stage healthcare entrepreneurs. It provides funding, mentorship and other requisite support to the startups in the healthcare sector. It is launched by HealthStart & ISB’s human-centred, design-focussed incubator, DLabs. It’s a 20-week programme providing selected startups with investment capital to develop their ideas further.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The startups should have a prototype or proof-of-concept or pilot. Startups looking for business advisory and mentoring support, along with funding are also eligible for the programme. The selected startups are provided with funding of $ 37.3K (INR 25 Lakh). Furthermore, each startup is provided with a dedicated mentor along with access to healthcare expertise and investor networks.
- Focus Area(s): Digital healthcare, medtech, wellness, disease management, fitness, innovative distribution.
- Some Startup Graduates: Some of the notable startups include Healthians.com, Gympik.com, ObiNo, Careway Health, SportsPal, TheHealthOrange.
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: California
Founded By: HP
A Brief Overview
The HP Haven Startup Accelerator is a programme designed specifically for early-stage companies that are racing to build the best-in-class big data solutions. It allows startups to tap directly into the power of the HP Haven Big Data platform when building data analytics solutions for their customers. It enables qualified, early-stage developers special access and pricing to select HP products, tools, and technologies. It will be a one-year-long programme with two stages: Bootstrap and Growth.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Startups should be an independent identity and should be less than five years old. The team must be of less than 50 employees, must have received less than $10 Mn funding, and revenues should be in the range of $0-$10 Mn. The qualified participants will receive free usage of the community versions of HP IDOL and HP Vertica with expanded capacity; premium version of HP IDOL and HP Vertica with attractive pricing; and HP Application Delivery Management tools including HP Agile Manager, HP LeanFT, and HP LoadRunner.
- Focus Area(s): Big data
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Kolkata
Founded By: Indus Net Technologies
A Brief Overview
It is a digital acceleration lab to mentor B2B tech startups, spread around a 1,000-square-feet incubation lab. The three-month accelerator programme will also provide industry connections and guidance in investor networking. The programme will be offered free of cost. The aim is to produce three to four successful startups each year.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Preference will be given to those startups catering to marketing, financial services, retail, and business critical solutions. After completion of the acceleration programme, startups are also provided with the option to work with INT’s in-house core teams in the marketing and sales channel, along with access to its client base and network of partners. The startups are also provided with an as-yet undisclosed investment from INT.
- Focus Area(s): Digital technology, software
- Some Startup Graduates: Its portfolio companies includes names such as Breeze, MakeYourTax, and Collusion.
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: Intel India
A Brief Overview
The year-long programme aims to accelerate Design-in-India capability and grow India’s innovation ecosystem, thereby creating a platform to facilitate hardware- and systems–based innovators in India. It has also collaborated with the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India and Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT-Bombay, to launch an incubation programme for hardware and systems startups, called Plugin. The startups selected in Plugin will also get access to Maker Lab facilities directly without going through any other selection process.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Selected startups receive access to hardware & software development kits, reference boards, design collaterals, test & debugging equipment along with technical support for design, development, and testing. They will also get mentoring from senior Intel India technologists and experts and networking opportunities with industry leaders along with go-to-market assistance. The funding is provided through a collaborative incubation programme with DST and SINE, where the startups receive about $ 15K (INR 10 Lakhs) seed funding.
- Focus Area(s): Education, sports, health, agriculture, Banking, Financial services and Insurance (BFSI), e-governance, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud, and client compute.
- Some Startup Graduates: In October 2016, the accelerator concluded its first cohort with 14 startups. The list included Aerx Labs, Avench, Green Ocean Research, Jayalaxmi Agrotech, Klassik Klonec, Parkzap, Skylark Drones, Smartron, Terrablue XT, Acceleron Lab, BrownLogic, Phoenix Robotics, SrishtiESDM, and Yaw software. Also, 20 startups were selected in the Innovate for Digital India Challenge in 2015.
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: Mumbai
Founded By: ISDI
A Brief Overview
The ISDI Creative Accelerator provides an opportunity to a select group of entrepreneurs to launch or re-design their company. Startups that are part of the six-month programme have access to all the necessary resources to support them with design strategy, user experience design, product design and branding; in addition to business and technology mentoring, GTM strategies, financial planning, fund raising, pitching, etc. Apart from providing mentoring, the Creative Accelerator also focusses on capacity building for entrepreneurs and investors, and extending funding support to promising startups.
- Focus Area(s): Innovative design, technology
- Some Startup Graduates: The current portfolio includes six startups, including ClassReserve, mGuru, Ornativa, and Linkwok, to name a few.
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: Gurugram
Founded By: Gabriel Fong, Kuldeep Bhayana, Jaspal Sarai
A Brief Overview
Jaarvis Accelerator takes in early-stage, technology-based startups and helps them rapidly build a sustainable business.Its four-month residential accelerator programme offers mentorship, capital, seed funding, tech support, infrastructural support to each selected startup.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria:The accelerator disburses funds starting with $25K–$50K for 8%–15% equity. As ventures grow, its partner ‘Incubate Fund,’ further invests $100K to $300K.
- Focus Area(s): Fintech, bitcoin, blockchain technology, IoT, agritech, data analytics, artificial intelligence.
- Some Startup Graduates: Spotwrks, Promon, EduRev, Scorloc were part of batch one in June 2015. DrinksOnMe, EduRev.In, Comparometer, Greentooth Technologies are a few other startups that have graduated from their first batch.
Launched In: 2012
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: Kyron Global is an initiative of ANSR
A Brief Overview
Kyron Global is a gateway for B2B startups to access corporate customers. Kyron started as an accelerator programme, with a duration of three-four months. It later pivoted to Corporate Acceleration/Innovation/Digital Transformation providers. It identifies opportunities offered by Fortune 500 companies and links them to innovative solutions offered by startups to maximise value and make it a win-win on both sides. At present, it runs four programmes in partnership with Lowe’s Innovation Labs, LEAP, InsurTech, and anscelerator.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Kyron supports all varieties of funding structures – from no-funds to non-equity grants for startups that are part of the programme. It networks with leading industry investor groups – angels, individuals, and VCs to help its startups raise funds when they need it.
- Focus Area(s): Retail, fintech, SMAC, AR/VR, IoT, blockchain, AI.
- Some Startup Graduates: Till now, 12 batches have graduated from five corporate accelerator programmes which includes notable startups like Bookpad, Konotor, Cloudcherry, Senseforth, Uncanny Vision, Preksh, Discover Dollar, to name a few. Out of 31 graduated startups, approximately 11 startups – Cloudcherry, Scandid, niki.ai, Unbxd, Innovaccer, arya.ai to name a few – have raised funds.
Launchpad Accelerator
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: São Paulo, Alagoas
Founded By: The accelerator programme is an initiative of Google.
A Brief Overview
Launchpad Accelerator is a six month accelerator programme to scale technical startups. The programme includes mentorship and access to Google Product Managers, a startup package of equity – free support, product credits (e.g. Google Cloud), and access to their full suite of Launchpad initiatives and connections. This also includes an all-expense-paid trip to Google HQ in Mountain View to collaborate with Google engineers/product managers and regional VCs. Currently, the programme operates in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico) and Asia (India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines), but there are plans to expand to other countries as well.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: $50,000 in equity-free funding.
- Focus Area(s): Mobile apps
- Some Startup Graduates: It has concluded its third batch in September, 2016. Some of the notable startups are Curofy, Flyrobe, HarshLearn, Playment, Rentomojo.
LEAP
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: The accelerator is launched by Supply chain major Mast Global along with Kyron Global.
A Brief Overview
The Leading Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (LEAP) is an initiative of Mast Global, the logistics arm of L Brands in the US. It is designed to engage with Indian startup companies, in partnership with Kyron Global. It aims to explore new technology solutions while enabling entrepreneurs to gain valuable access to domain expertise and learning. The duration of the program is approximately eight weeks.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The accelerator programme includes working with CIO+leadership teams from MAST Global, coaching on pitch sessions, along with a demo day with brand leaders and top investors.
- Focus Area(s): Mobility, big data, omnichannel, supply chain, marketing, and security.
- Some Startup Graduates: To date, the accelerator has announced two startup batches. The selected startups in the first cohort of 2015 were Wazzat Labs, EasyRewardz, while in 2016 the list included three viz. Senseforth, CloudCherry, and SayPay Technologies Inc.
Lowe’s Innovation Labs
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: UK and Bengaluru
Founded By: Lowe’s Companies Inc.
A Brief Overview
Globally, this is Lowe’s third innovation lab and the first one outside the US. It is a 16-week accelerator programme, with a focus on startups to choose a problem area and develop a consumer-facing solution with the help of Lowe’s team. Also, Lowe’s has a Global In-house Center (GIC) in India, since 2014, with more than 400 employees working on technology and analytics solutions.
- Focus Area(s): Augmented and virtual reality, 3D printing and scanning, and Robotics.
- Some Startup Graduates: The first batch was selected in September 2016, which included DimensionNXG, Carbon Continuum, Graviky Labs, and Timeflex.
Microsoft Accelerator
Launched In: 2012
Headquartered In: Redmond, Washington (Global), Bengaluru (India).
A Brief Overview
Microsoft Accelerator is a global program built to empower startups around the world. They work with market-ready startups to provide the tools, resources, connections, knowledge and expertise they need to become successful companies. They offer a 4-month tailor-made program for market-ready startups that are looking to go beyond the development of their product by scaling their businesses. Through the program they provide all the elements that come with building a strong company and scaling up every aspect of the business: from CEO coaching, team culture development and recruiting talent to creating distribution channels with global Fortune 500s, learning how to work with big corporates and developing new markets.
Throughout the program and after graduation, they serve as a strategic partner for startups and provide unparalleled routes to market by connecting startups with our global network of customers, partners, VCs, business mentors and technical experts.
- Focus Area(s): Technology enabled/technology startups that are later stage or enterprise ready.
- Some Startup Graduates: Since its inception in India, 115 startups have graduated from the program including successful exits of 10 businesses. The latest of them is Touchfone’s acquisition by Scoopwhoop last month, few other one, which are well known, include Bookpad’s acquisition by Yahoo, PlusTxt by Paytm (One97), Profoundis by FullContact, GazeMetrix by Sysomos and Native5 by Flipkart.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Kolkata
Founded By: Raghav Kanoria
A Brief Overview
Touted as the first private accelerator in East India, Neoleap provides budding entrepreneurs and startups a supportive ecosystem. Acting as a catalyst to usher in the entrepreneurial revolution, Neoleap’s four-month accelerator programme provides startups with shared services, mentoring, business connects, and access to investors.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The selected startups are provided with an opportunity to pitch their products and services to the investors on demo day. The accelerator takes INR 20,000 as upfront commitment, 5% acceleration equity and 2% of funds raised from each startup. It selects a startup on varied factors such as market size, customer identification, relevant founding team, long-term commitment, team size, business defensibility, financial projections, and current business requirements i.e. mentoring, funding, support services, knowledge inputs, business contacts, investor pitch preparation.
- Focus Area(s): Across sectors
- Some Startup Graduates: Tearaja.com, Healthbuds, MachineHire are some of the notable startups from the first batch (August – November 2016).
Launched In: Globally in 2000, Entered India in 2015
Headquartered In: Paris, France and Bengaluru, India
Founded By: The accelerator programme is launched by Marie-Vorgan Le Barzic (NUMA) and Naresh Narasimhan (NUMA Bengaluru) as a joint venture between NUMA Paris and Metaform.
A Brief Overview
NUMA launched the second international centre after Moscow, in India. Its goal is to support startups by providing entrepreneurs with educational and financial resources. Its acceleration programme brings high-quality mentorship, opportunities, international network, offices, and funding to the startups around the world since 2011. The NUMA Bengaluru Acceleration programme is a six-month programme for early-stage, tech-enabled startups. Its key value propositions are the global market access and in-house resources (including Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Experts-in-Residence like growth hacker, visual designer, UI/UX, finance, digital marketing, etc.). Recently, it has also opened branches in Berlin and New York.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Predominantly, technological startups in early-stage with growth potential can apply for the programme. In return for a 4.5% shareholding, the accelerator offers $3,747 (€3,500) financial contribution, the equivalent of $19,271 (€18,000) in advantages such as infrastructure, mentor and expert hours, great connections and perks which amount to $749 (700K€) and a bunch of other benefits.
- Focus Area(s): Sector-agnostic
- Some Startup Graduates: Till the end of 2015, it has accelerated 103 startups in Paris. The first batch of 11 Indian startups graduated in November 2015, listing names such as 1Plify, Courtside, FlippAR, Full On Shaadi, Najdik, Piki, Smart School App, Men’s Room, Canvazify, Inkhorn, and Svadhin. The second batch concluded in 2016 included 18 startups viz. Repoto, Ideaphora, FollowClass, Valmeeki, Book My Sawari, Wlend, SpotPlay and more.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: Oracle
A Brief Overview
The accelerator aims to be a catalyst for new business ideas with growing popularity of cloud as an alternative computing model. Startups will receive technical and business mentoring and will be provided with coworking spaces, free credits on the Oracle Cloud, access to investors and to Oracle’s customers and partners. The company also has plans to open other centres in Chennai, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Noida, Pune, Trivandrum, and Vijayawada. It’s a 24-week programme, in which five startups are selected for each batch and are given more than 125 hours of combined mentoring.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Early-stage startups can apply for the programme. They must be working on building innovative solutions that solve real-life problems and have the potential to make an impact on the targeted customer segment.
- Focus Area(s): Technology
- Some Startup Graduates: Five startups have been chosen in the first batch which include Vear, Tydy, Ray, Niyo, and ExpertRec.
Quintype’s SpeakWrite
Launched in: 2015
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: Amit Rathore
A Brief Overview
A virtual accelerator programme, SpeakWrite provides mentorship, access to Quintype’s state-of-art publisher platform, technology and professional services, access to the publishing ecosystem, and an innovative community. Having a programme duration of 12-24 months for every startup, the SpeakWrite programme aims to neutralise the advantage that big publishing houses have with their deep pockets, large teams, and investments in technology.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The accelerator selects a startup on varied factors such as market size, team, startup pedigree, previous entrepreneurial experience, potential, funding rounds, affiliation with other incubators/accelerators, etc.
- Focus Area(s): Digital media startups
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: Avinash Kaushik
A Brief Overview
It helps hardware startups in three separate tracks which includes prototyping, manufacturing, and distribution over a six-month programme. It works with major Silicon Valley companies along with global design studios, maker labs, component suppliers, EMS companies and OEMs across India, China, and Taiwan to support startups building disruptive consumer products. In April 2016, it also announced the setting up of a dedicated investment fund to help the startups in its programme build prototypes.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: As mentioned on its website, Revvx works with 15 hardware startups every year through its accelerator programme and 20 additional startups through mentorship. The Revvx portfolio includes startups from India, USA, Singapore, Hong Kong, Croatia and Slovenia. It works in collaboration with Nasscom IOT COE to drive the Hardware Acceleration and Corporate Innovation Programs.
- Focus Area(s): Internet of Things, augmented/virtual reality, robotics, drones, blockchain, wearables, connected automobiles
- Some Startup Graduates: In May 2016, the first batch graduated four startups such as SeeHow, Fragging Monk, The Things Cloud, and Senze. In the second batch, 10 startups were selected: EzeeCube, Wagr, Cyclops, GameBeats, BitMotion, Rewango, TalkingThings, Brelo, TitanoBots, and SpplyChain.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Mumbai
Founded By: The programme was launched by Barclays in association with Zone Startups.
A Brief Overview
The Rise accelerator is reportedly India’s first global fintech accelerator programme. It is a cohort-based programme that offers industry connections, mentorship, customer validation, investor access and a global reach. It is an 18-week programme, wherein the startups are co-located at its coworking space Rise Mumbai. In addition to Rise Mumbai, Barclays operates accelerator programmes in six more countries.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The startups are provided with $10K worth cloud credits. The selected startups will also get access to Barclay’s technology as well as mentors, and advisor support. Additionally, they will get a chance to reach to international borders through the Barclays and Zone Startups Network.
- Focus Area(s): Lending, digital banking solutions, trading, enterprise mobility, cybersecurity, data analytics, payments, cryptocurrency, insurance, and wealth management.
- Some Startup Graduates: Recently, it launched its first cohort in October 2016, comprising 10 startups which include ArrowAI, Fund Expert, RockMetric and more.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Mumbai
Founded By: It is a joint initiative of SAP India Pvt Ltd (SAP India), and Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE).
A Brief Overview
The programme is designed to assist technology-based startups that are developing for-profit business solutions with a clear social and/or environmental impact. It provides weekend training programmes and mentorship for a period of 12 weeks in Mumbai/Bengaluru followed by a demo day and the top 20 teams are chosen for evaluation by a jury of experts. These teams are invited to participate in a two-day bootcamp at Mumbai organised by SINE and SAP India. The programme is divided into two phases – Bootcamp and Accelerator Programme.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: 10 selected startups from the bootcamp will receive training and $4.4K (INR 300K) funding provided they meet the following conditions: the startup should be incorporated and must be technology-based having the potential to make an impact on society by the creation of affordable and accessible products and services, employment opportunities, etc. The selection of final participants is based on criteria such as market opportunity, potential for social impact, scalability of product/business, uniqueness of business proposition, and team strength.
- Focus Area(s): Healthcare, clean energy, environment, agritech and foodtech.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: SAP Labs India
A Brief Overview
SAP Startup Studio, is an accelerator programme at the SAP Labs campus in Whitefield, Bengaluru, which include a 75-seat incubator aimed at nurturing early/disruptive-stage startups. Startups are incubated for a period of one year, coupled with a strongly knit mentorship programme that extends beyond their first year.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The startups must be at idea or early prototype stage. They are provided with mentoring, infrastructure, technology support from SAP experts. If required, SAP also takes an equity position and provides a reference to SAP’s Merger & Acquisition team for the next stage of growth.
- Focus Area(s): IoT, big data, cloud, as well as verticals in retail and healthcare.
- Some Startup Graduates: The first batch included seven seed and early-stage startups: CloudKare, Niki.ai, Sellerworx, Stratawiz Technologies, Moglix, Ecolibrium Energy, and Blubirch.
Launched In: 2014
Founded By: Pitney Bowes
A Brief Overview
The Pitney Bowes accelerator programme, Scale Up, provides mentorship, access to venture funds, and networking to innovative startups. Scale Up is part of NASSCOM’s 10,000 Startups’ initiative. Startups are required to relocate to Pune or Noida for incubation and are also provided with opportunities to network with prospective investors. The six-month programme will provide selected startups access to select Pitney Bowes software and APIs in addition to mentorship with leading engineering and innovation experts for technical and business guidance
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Selected startups will get access to Microsoft’s Visual Studio and Azure Cloud Credits up to $27,000 over three years, via the BizSpark programme.
- Focus Area(s): Customer information management, mobile, data analytics, location-based services, ecommerce management, machine learning.
- Some Startup Graduates: To date, three batches have graduated from the accelerator. In 2016, eight startups were selected, which included Audianz, Browntape, Heuristics, Ideata Analytics, RetailNav, Tagalys, Teritree, Yo-app In 2015, it selected four startups viz. Ipsator, Fetchon, Kayeura, and Shipdesk and two as part of a collaboration programme, Loginext and Primaseller. In August 2016, it announced six startups for its summer batch: listing eCourierz, Infinite Analytics, Medimojo, Niki, Sponsifyme, and Wedosky.
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: Hyderabad, India and London, UK
Founded By: Atal Malviya
A Brief Overview
Spark10’s accelerator programme is designed to assist early-stage startups to scale and improve visibility. It is India’s only global mentor-led acceleration programme and reportedly the first European startup accelerator launched in India. It is a 13-week (3 months) programme, divided into three phases. The first month is about validating assumptions and business models, the second is about building or stabilising the business model and the value proposition, while the third is about growth and traction.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The accelerator looks for companies developing products that are innovative, have relatively high-levels of differentiations from competitors or existing products, and can create entry barriers for others looking to get into space. As a part of joining the programme, each company gets INR 10 Lakhs (roughly $15K) as seed funding for equity at fair market valuation. Startups are also provided access to knowledge, resources and to global mentors and investors.
- Focus Area(s): Software technology-driven startups.
- Some Startup Graduates: There were 9 startups in its first cohort concluded in 2016: BeHungry, Brisky, Carzip, daddyspocket, Feltso, Fliona, OH’LOOK, Ornativa and Paysack. The startups for cohort 2017 are yet to be shortlisted.
Launched In: 2017
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: The accelerator programme is launched by Shell Global, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies.
A Brief Overview
Shell works globally with an average of 93,000 employees in more than 70 countries. The #makethefuture Accelerator India Programme aims to support anyone with a bright energy idea in action. The programme will help the businesses to build a strong value proposition and enable them to access funding to scale. The top three finalists will receive coaching from experts on how to grow their ideas into reality, before pitching to an esteemed jury to decide the final winner.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The enterprises must operate in an Indian city, have a registered entity, be in post-pilot or prototype stage and be available to travel to Singapore for the accelerator event. There will be four stages in the evaluation process. After initial screening of applications, 10 semi-finalists will be shortlisted and the top three ranks will be invited to participate in an accelerator event at Make the Future Singapore, who will present their idea to a panel of judges at the Shell Technology Centre Bengaluru. The participating startups will be evaluated on the basis of innovation and technology, commercial viability and feasibility, and bright energy idea.
- Focus Area(s): Cleantech startups focussed on providing solutions to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy waste, reduce CO2 emissions, generate energy from a new source and broaden access to energy.
Startupbootcamp FinTech
Launched In: Globally in 2010 (Copenhagen), FinTech program in 2014, FinTech India in 2016
Headquartered In: London
Founded By: Alex Farcet, Carsten Kolbeck, Patrick de Zeeuw, Ruud Hendriks, Nektarios Liolios.
A Brief Overview
Startupbootcamp FinTech is a leading global FinTech accelerator which, after being deployed in London, New York, and Singapore, launched its fintech programme in India in September 2016. It offers a 3+1 month programme which provides startups with a structured, mentorship, office space in the heart of Mumbai, funding and access to a global network of investors and VCs for up to 10 selected fintech startups from across the globe. For three months, the selected startups collaborate with an extensive network of mentors, partners, and investors to build fintech companies, with the ultimate goal of becoming leading players in the financial ecosystem. The programme is supported locally by ICICI Bank, ICICI Lombard, RBL, Capital First, AZB & Partners, and PwC.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria(s): 6% Equity, Vertical Specific Programs (IoT – Barcelona, Smart City – Amsterdam, FinTech – London + Amsterdam + NewYork, Smart Transport- Berlin etc), India programme is FinTech-focussed. It offers INR 1.1 Mn cash grant per team and INR 33 Mn + in partner services.
- Focus Area(s): Foodtech, fintech, healthcare, ecommerce, smart transportation, IoT, cyber security, insurtech
- Some Startup Graduates: Globally, 18 batches and 404 startups have been graduated from the accelerator. Some of the notable startups like The Eye Tribe which was acquired by Facebook, Relayr, TripRebel, LoyaltyLion, TagTagCity have graduated from the accelerator. Not only this, reportedly 258 graduated startups have received follow-on funding. The accelerator recently announced the first batch of 10 Indian startups including Doboz Solutions, ExpoWealth, GiftAssets, GreenDeck, RuPie, Bitgram, ManageMyFortune, Propelld, QuikkLoan, and Zilra.
Swiss Re InsurTech
Launched In: 1863 (Entered India in 2016).
Headquartered In: Zurich, Germany and Bengaluru, India
Founded By: Swiss Re Group
A Brief Overview
The InsurTech accelerator programme is a global fintech accelerator programme. It is a 16-week programme which aims to mentor and help curate startups with the potential of disrupting insurance practices. It is the first-ever initiative by a reinsurance company to foster technology innovation amongst startups in the insurance tech area in India. Swiss Re has partnered with Barclays Rise and the Alchemist Accelerator for the project. Apart from this, it will also partner with Nasscom 10,000 Startups and Kyron Global to curate startups and foster technology innovation. The company aims to work with four to five startups for the first batch.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: It provides non-equity grants to startups along with mentorship and business engagement.
- Focus Area(s): IoT innovative distribution channels & robotic advisors and analytics.
- Some Startup Graduates: In July 2016, it selected six startups for its first batch which lists EKincare, GOQii, Arya.Ai, Niki.Ai, Touchkin, Datasigns Technologies.
Target Accelerator
Launched In: 1962 (Globally), 2014 (Launched in India)
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: It was founded as a subsidiary of Minneapolis-based Dayton Department Stores.
A Brief Overview
Target was launched as a retailer in Bengaluru (India) in mid-2005. It launched its first accelerator programme in India in March 2014, The Target Accelerator Program, aims to help early-stage startups to develop concepts that could improve Target’s business and the broader retail industry. Through the four-month intensive programme, Target aims to foster a culture of innovation in the startup ecosystem. It is looking to tap into the startup ecosystem while providing startups with an opportunity to work with the Target leadership team in a specially designed, energetic, and creative hub at Target India’s office in Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: It provides seed funding up to $30,000. The Target Accelerator Program has a customary screening and selection process that includes multiple stages, such as completing an online application followed by a face-to-face pitching. The final selection will be based on the team and its talent and most importantly, relevance of the idea to Target.
- Focus Area(s): Marketing, omnichannel, mobile, big data analytics and merchandising, supply chain technologies.
- Some Startup Graduates: In October 2016, Target concluded its fourth batch. Some notable startups like Preksh, Uncanny Vision, MintM, Lechal, StoryXpress graduated from the batch. Startups that were a part of their earlier batches include Findmeashoe.com, BugClipper, Whodat spaces, and Twiddly. Other Indian companies in its portfolio are muHive, Unbx, InstaClique, Konotor, Turnaround Innovision, Instaclique, Twiddly, Whodat Spaces, Wazzat, Torch, and Visarity.
Launched In: 2016
Founded By: The accelerator is an initiative of Bosch India.
A Brief Overview
D.N.A. stands for Discovering startups, Nurturing them, and Align to get them investment-ready and eventually become profitable businesses. The accelerator works towards developing disruptive solutions in the areas of aerospace, agritech, mobility, energy, medtech or Smart Cities. An initiative of Bosch India, it is an 18-week programme. The first successful Indo-German Bootcamp was held in July 2016 in Berlin and the next bootcamp will be held in India this year.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: It provides startups with mentorship from top Bosch experts in technology including the defined scope areas as well as in product design, operations, financing etc. Once successfully accelerated, the startup will have an opportunity to pitch to Bosch.
- Focus Area(s): IoT, deep learning, analytics, cloud, machine learning/artificial intelligence, virtual/augmented reality, blockchain.
Launched In: 2016
Headquartered In: Bengaluru
Founded By: It is launched by Axis Bank in partnership with Zone Startups.
A Brief Overview
Axis Bank is the first Indian private sector bank to launch an Innovation Lab, Thought Factory, with an in-house incubator. The aim is to work closely with entrepreneurs who are redefining the digital banking space in segments such as credits, deposits, wealth management, mobile payments, and security etc. The selected startups will receive mentorship by experts, dev. tools, workspace, funding and networking opportunities.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The startup must be a registered Indian company with a minimum viable product (MVP). Only five-six people per startup will be accommodated in the Bengaluru facility. It neither takes equity nor gives cash grants.
- Focus Area(s): Artificial intelligence, big data and analytics, mobility, blockchain, IoT, open API, networking.
- Some Startup Graduates: The accelerator selected six startups in its first 2016 cohort – Perpule 1 Pay, Gieom, Polly, Paymatrix, FintechLabs, and S2Pay.
Launched In: 2011
Headquartered In: Noida
Founded By: Abhishek Gupta
A Brief Overview:
TLabs is a startup accelerator and an early-stage seed fund. The TLabs accelerator programme is spread over sixteen weeks, broken into four phases., TLabs provides a platform to selected startups to shape their ideas with the help of mentorship and guidance by functional experts. The accelerator invites mentors from across industries, once a week to share their experience and guide startups towards their successful journey which is followed by one-on-one discussions.
Additionally, the firm helps startups to connect with the investor community. On demo day, the accelerator brings in several angel investors and venture capitalists, so that startups can pitch their ideas to them for future funding. In June 2016, TLabs joined the Stripe Atlas Network to provide a global reach to Indian entrepreneurs.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The TLabs accelerator programme invests $50,000 (INR 30 Lakh) for 8% of equity (net INR 27 Lakhs). For Tlabs, having a well-balanced team is the major criteria for selecting any startup. It prefers small teams consisting of two to four entrepreneurs having qualities like passion, dedication, clarity of thought, tenacity and agility. Every team has to present the idea along with execution plan and support required when they apply for the programme. Applications are evaluated by a core team and expert panel team consisting of senior management.
- Focus Area(s): Internet, mobile
- Some Startup Graduates: Till December 2014, TLabs had 6 batches and 36 total startups. Over 65% of startups that have graduated raised on average $450 K in follow on funding. In November 2015, the accelerator had announced its eighth batch. GetMyUni, Cirtru, HopOn are a few notable startups from this batch.
Launched In: 2012
Headquartered In: Mumbai
Founded By: Ravi Kiran, Shravan Shroff
A Brief Overview
An angel-backed startup accelerator, VentureNursery (VN) provides coaching and mentoring to the chosen startups and helps them with end-to-end infrastructural and learning support. With an aim to improve the success probability of the startups and raise funding for Series A, VN’s process works on hybrid model that includes an acceleration programme and parallel track mentoring. It runs a 13 weeks acceleration programme twice a calendar year, for which it accepts applications over a three–four week period. Of these applications, eight startups are selected for the acceleration programme, wherein founders have to relocate themselves to Mumbai for the boot camp.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The selected startups are given a business support service package, along with basic business-building infrastructure. In addition to this, each selected startup is given on-premise guidance by industry experts as well as other professionals through lectures and workshops and off-premise one-on-one mentoring by the Advisors-in-Residence.
- Focus Area(s): Media & entertainment, retail, ecommerce, consumer technology, education, cleantech.
- Some Startup Graduates: Oyo Rooms, Klip.in, Catapooolt, Find Ur Class, Peter’s Pan.
Y Combinator
Launched In: March 2005
Headquartered In: Mountain View
Founded By: Trevor Blackwell, Paul Graham, Jessica Livingston, Robert Tappan Morris
A Brief Overview
In August 2016, global fund lus accelerator Y Combinator visited India for the first time. It invests a small amount of money twice a year in a large number of startups. These startups move to Silicon Valley for a three-month accelerator programme and work closely with YC partners to get into the best possible shape and refine their pitch to investors. Each cycle culminates in a Demo Day, when the startups present their business plans to a carefully selected audience of investors.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The accelerator invests $120K in startups for a 7% equity stake across two batches, every year. It makes funding decisions based on a startup’s application form and personal interviews.
- Focus Area(s): Sector-agnostic
- Some Startup Graduates: According to the official website Y Combinator till now has invested in more than 1,464 companies including Airbnb, Dropbox, Stripe, Reddit, Instacart, Docker and Gusto. The combined valuation of YC companies is over $80 Bn. In July 2016, YC inducted three Indian startups – Innov8, JustRide, meesho into its summer batch for the first time. It has also funded ClearTax, and Razorpay in July 2014 and May 2015 respectively.
Launched In: 2017
Headquartered In: Hyderabad, Mumbai
Founded By: YES Bank, in partnership with T-Hub, Anthill Ventures, and LetsTalkPayments, launched the programme earlier this year.
A Brief Overview
The accelerator aims to co-create innovative solutions and partners in taking solutions to the bank’s retail and corporate customers, with no upfront equity commitment sought from startups, a clear focus on building solutions relevant to use-cases identified by YES Bank, and providing fintech startups access to the Bank’s more than 2 Mn customer base. It is a 15-week programme structured in four phases viz. Co-create, Operate, Scale, and Invest & Grow, with three weeks of on-site interventions and 11 weeks of off-site interventions.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: As part of the programme, the selected startups will get access to T-Hub’s ecosystem, global outreach and an opportunity to showcase and increase product visibility. Technology-focussed startups (India- or globally-based) with an MVP, along with a growing customer base can apply for the programme.
- Focus Area(s): Payments, lending (consumer + SME), trade finance & forex solutions, wealth management, regulatory technology or Reg-Tech, customer value-added services.
Launched In: 2015
Headquartered In: Gurugram
Founded By: Jason Wang, Amit Li
A Brief Overview
A Chinese accelerator and venture fund, ZDream Ventures is a Y Combinator-like fund plus accelerator. The duration of the programme offered is 12 months. As mentioned on the website, the ultimate aim is to transfer the best of China to India in a much faster and workable way.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: The startup must be in the growth stage, should have a well-organised team, and a matured business concept.
- Focus Area(s): Technology, media & telecommunications
- Some Startup Graduates: Its current portfolio includes two startups MilkBasket and Iamwire.
Headquartered In: Mumbai
Founded By: Anup Mehta, Neha Jain, Khushboo Jain
A Brief Overview
The intensive programme would be spread over 3 weeks in India and additional 3 weeks in Silicon Valley where Z Nation Lab would identify the uniqueness of the startups and the entrepreneurs will get an opportunity to broaden their perspectives by communicating with angels, VCs, industry experts and Venture Partners at Z Nation Lab from Silicon Valley and India. It has affiliate centres in Pune, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Indore, Chennai, and Silicon Valley. The firm is also affiliated with Washington DC-based Launch Dream to help technology startups grow through ScaleUP USA and provide them with the opportunity to work in the US market.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: It will offer mentoring programmes and collaborative workspace in Mumbai. It has a ticket size of between $50,000 and $250,000 per startup and will take an 8% to 12% stake in startups. Besides helping with product development, it plans to provide support in pitching coach, mentors, chartered accountants, lawyers, application and web developers, and social media marketing support that costs anywhere between $7.4K- $15K (INR 5 Lakh and INR 10 Lakh) per startup.
- Focus Area(s): IoT, Big Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Consumertech, Edtech, Fintech.
Launched In: 2014
Headquartered In: Mumbai
Founded By: It is a joint venture between the Bombay Stock Exchange Institute Ltd. (BIL), Ryerson University of Toronto, Ryerson Futures Inc (RFI), and Simon Fraser University, Canada.
A Brief Overview
Zone Startups is the first Canadian-led accelerator in India that provides access to investors, corporate partners, and advisors to the growing startups. For startups looking to establish traction and drive growth, the accelerator programme provides the structure and guidance, so that they have their products resonate with target audiences.
- Funding Structure/Selection Criteria: Zone Startups makes seed investments and supports activities to raise additional capital for its portfolio startups.
- Focus Area(s): Consumer, enterprise, social, financial, health, IoT, media, technology, education, data analytics.
- Some Startup Graduates: Smartican, Baby Chakra, ePoise, Fixy
Apart from these there are few defunct accelerators which were active earlier such as The Morpheus, Catalyzer, Startup Centre and Management Pvt. Ltd.
Do not worry if we haven’t included your accelerator in the list. Just send in your details in the comments below and the list will keep growing. Stay tuned for more in the series!
