FEATURED CONTENT from Dmytro Lokshyn (2x Founder & CEO of Uscale)
Within Fintech (and the broader tech landscape), momentum with mergers & acquisitions (M&A), discussions of potential IPOs, and investor sentiment is on the rise!
As we look towards 2025, more founders (especially repeat founders) are ideating new ventures. It’s starting to feel like the 2018 startup scene all over again – the difference is that there’s increased maturity for investors and new companies.
A way to kickstart a new product/platform for a startup is through an Accelerator program, which provides guidance from industry veterans, valuable connections, and investment opportunities. Not a new concept within the tech community, but the volume of applicants per cohort makes the acceptance rate minimal.
This article serves as a brief playbook for all founders on what a winning formula looks like in engaging & participating in a 2025 Accelerator program.
There’s also 10 featured accelerators to kickoff your exploration process!
Best Practices for Being Accepted into an Accelerator
To maximize your chances of being accepted into an accelerator, start with thorough research.
Identify accelerators that align with your industry, stage, and vision.
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Some cater to select verticals, regions in the US, and end-user demographics (i.e. immigrants, small businesses, farm workers);
Tailor your application to highlight what sets your startup apart, focusing on market potential, your unique value proposition, and traction to date.
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A compelling pitch deck is crucial—keep it concise, visually appealing, and data-driven. Clearly articulate the problem you’re solving, your target audience, and how your solution stands out.
Demonstrate a strong team dynamic as accelerators value capable, ‘coachable’ founders.
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Highlight complementary skill sets and a proven ability to execute — showcase experience that aligns with the new venture.
Leverage your network for referrals.
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A warm introduction can boost your credibility during the application process, especially with referrals from alumni founders;
Be prepared for interviews—practice your pitch, anticipate questions, and exude confidence.
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Seems obvious, but many startup founders lack the storytelling capability or concise messaging during presentations;
Stay authentic and align with the accelerator’s mission, showcasing how your vision complements their strengths.
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A crucial point — ensure mission-alignment (with social proof) from the start; this increases the chances for subsequent interviews during the application process;
Best Practices for Successful Participation in an Accelerator
Once accepted into an accelerator, make sure to approach the program with clear objectives.
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Becoming part of a cohort is only the beginning;
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lacking specific goals (e.g. # of investor connections, funding commitments, intros to strategic partners, etc.) will lead to a lost opportunity;
Define specific milestones you aim to achieve during the accelerator.
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Think of these as checkpoints on the way to accomplishing objectives;
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This can be as concise as refining your pitch, or as broad as finalizing the scope for your MVP (minimum viable product).
Actively engage with mentors, peers, and program directors.
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Build relationships within the cohort, as fellow founders can become invaluable collaborators or future partners.
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During the application process, you should be on the lookout for potential mentors and industry insiders you can work with;
Take full advantage of the resources provided, whether it’s office hours, workshops, or investor introductions.
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Part of this involves being diligent with notes during meetings, sending follow-ups, and sharing updates on a recurring basis.
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Keep quality relationships close and engaged;
Time management is critical—balance daily operations with program commitments.
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Many founders are still building a new company / program in parallel to participating in an accelerator;
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Carving out enough time throughout the week for program deliverables, events, and networking is paramount;
Solicit feedback regularly and remain open to constructive criticism.
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Founders need to be open to perspectives from mentors and program directors, while staying true to their own vision;
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When pitching, incorporate feedback about communication periodically to perfect your delivery.
Document your progress and outcomes to show measurable growth during the demo day.
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Keep tabs of what you’re learning and accomplishing on a weekly basis — this helps measure how you’re performing towards milestones and broader program objectives.
Maintain post-program relationships as accelerators often provide ongoing support and networking opportunities.
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Double-down on the quality connections you built during the program and set a regular cadence (weekly / monthly) to stay engaged and ask for support;
Top 10 Accelerators to Explore in 2025
What accelerators should your team explore in 2025?
Here’s a top 10 list to kickoff your search for programs (many which are in the San Francisco Bay Area):
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Y Combinator is the gold standard for accelerators, funding startups with $500,000 across two SAFEs and offering unmatched resources and networking. Renowned for backing Stripe, Airbnb, and Dropbox, it’s a launchpad for globally recognized companies.
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Techstars has programs worldwide and invests $120,000 for 6-9% equity, focusing on mentorship and community. It’s ideal for startups looking to rapidly scale with hands-on support.
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Berkeley SkyDeck combines UC Berkeley’s resources with a $200,000 investment. It’s a standout for tech-focused startups seeking academic and industry expertise.
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500 Global Flagship Accelerator invests $150,000 for a 6% stake, emphasizing access to top investors and tailored growth strategies.
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South Park Commons is a community-driven accelerator that invests $400,000 for 7% equity, nurturing innovation from idea to product-market fit. They then provide another follow up investment with $600,000;
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AI2 Incubator focuses on AI startups and provides $150,000 for teams / $50,000 for solo founders, with potential funding up to $500,000.
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HAX Accelerator offers $500,000 and engineering support to hardware startups tackling sustainability challenges.
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AngelPad is a selective seed-stage program that invests $120,000 and provides deep mentorship in SF and NYC.
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Forum Ventures specializes in B2B SaaS and offers $100,000 with personalized go-to-market guidance.
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Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA) is NYC’s premier accelerator that invests $150,000 for 6% SAFE, and comes with unparalleled local ecosystem support.
Putting it Altogether
Accelerator programs provide a comprehensive launchpad for founders, which can reduce or eliminate common roadblocks that startups face (with strategy, product-market fit, funding, etc.).
A critical note is that an accelerator isn’t a one-stop solution. Founders have different experiences and outcomes – even those in the same cohort. Much work is also still needed after Demo Day and completing a program.
For those considering an accelerator in the new year, this playbook (based on founder experiences & learnings) should help along the way!
Note on UScale:
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Its AI-powered digital agents automate campaign creation, deliver hyper-personalized messaging, and optimize performance in real time, ensuring campaigns drive maximum results with minimal effort.
A few early access spots are open in January to help forward-thinking businesses transform how they connect with customers and scale smarter.
Click here to discover Uscale today!