The European startup ecosystem is catching up with its counterparts! A lot of startup accelerators and VC funds are now betting big on the European market. Joining an accelerator is one of the popular ways at present to get a business up and running.
Joining an established accelerator can give startups a big boost right from funding, mentorship, networking, inspiring coworking spaces, and much more.
What is Startup Accelerator?
Startup Accelerator is a platform that helps startups attain success through intensive business and personal development programs. Furthermore, startup accelerators tend to focus on providing startups support in the form of mentorship, affordable office spaces, and some starting capital.
Right now, there are so many accelerators out there, which is indeed a critical factor in scaling up growth-oriented entrepreneurial ventures. Having said that, we have compiled a list of best startup accelerator programs in Europe.
Entrepreneur First (London)
Founders: Alice Bentinck, Matt Clifford
Entrepreneur First is a global talent investor, founded in London in 2011. This platform invests in individuals “pre-team, pre-idea” to help create new technology startups. The intensive 6-month program is designed to give an individual the best possible support in the first 200 days of your startup’s life. This platform has created over 100 startups now worth over $1bn. They’re funded by some of the most prestigious investors, including Y Combinator, Index Ventures, and Octopus Ventures.
Startup Wise Guys (Tallinn, Estonia)
Founders: Herty Tammo, Cristobal Alonso
Startup Wise Guys is a mentorship-driven accelerator program for early-stage B2B SaaS, Fintech, and Cybersecurity startups, providing seed capital (€30K) with follow on possibility (up to €250K), office space and world-class mentors. They run programs pan-Baltic with offices in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius.
Startupbootcamp (London)
Founders: Aldo de Jong, Alex Farcet, Carsten Kolbek, Patrick Zeeuw, Ruud Hendriks
Startupbootcamp facilitates this mentorship-driven model by providing startups with essential tools during a 3-month accelerator program. The company offers €15,000 towards living expenses for the team during the program, six months co-working space, over €450,000 in sponsored services and the platform to pitch to over 400 investors at Investor Demo Day.
Startupbootcamp was founded in 2010 and operates in cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Miami, New York, Cape Town, Dubai, Istanbul, London, Chengdu, Rome and Mumbai.
Axel Springer Plug and Play Accelerator (Berlin)
Founders: Joerg Rheinboldt, Luise Gruner, Robin Haak, Saeed Amidi
This Berlin-based pre-seed startup accelerator is a joint venture between the Plug and Play Tech Centre and Axel Springer. Unlike other accelerators, this platform is not bound to one region, one topic, one opinion. Moreover, the accelerator offers a global network and international opportunities.
Buildit Accelerator (Rig, Latvia)
Founders: Aleksander Tõnnisson, Rene Tonnisson, Matiss Neimanis
Buildit is the first accelerator in the Baltic States and Nordic countries with the focus on physical devices & IoT. This platform offers a 3-month program of intensive mentoring, product and business development, and a follow-on individual mentoring program for up to 2 years. Buildit Accelerator is supported by the Altum Accelerator program, which is financed from the European Regional Fund.
EuropeanPioneers (Berlin)
Founders: Martin Weber
EuropeanPioneers is a startup accelerator that boosts digital SMEs and web entrepreneurs in the European media and content sector. The company provides public funding as well as an intensive 8-month accelerator program.
World Startup Factory (The Hague, The Netherlands)
WSF offers acceleration programs to startups with impact-driven solutions and convincing business models. This platform believes impact-driven startups are of increasing importance to develop successful solutions for societal and environmental challenges. World Startup Factory support startups by providing access to funding, mentorship, an extensive international network, and expert support.
Alpha Programme London (London)
The Alpha Programme is a 12-week long intensive accelerator program for startups at the pre-seed stage in London & Dublin. This accelerator offers pitch practice, workshops led by industry experts, real-time feedback from our community, and exposure to talent, partners, clients, and investors.
Founders Factory (London)
Founders: Brent Hoberman, George Northcott, Henry Lane Fox, Jim Meyerle
This platform was established to help early-stage companies become viable and sustainable in businesses. Founders Factory offers pre-seed funding, agile technology development, lean acceleration, and world-class mentors.
Rockstart Accelerator (Amsterdam)
Founders: Bjorn Brekel, Don Ritzen, James Digby, Koen Wagemakers, Oscar Kneppers, Rune Theill
Rockstart Accelerator is an intensive startup program that provides startups with investment, office space, highly specialized knowledge, and access to a broad network of international mentors, partners, and investors. In addition to it, every startup enrolls in 30+ workshops on Lean Startup, Growth Strategies, Fundraising, and much more.
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