Accelerators and Incubators Panel

Panelists from across the country describe how to choose an accelerator and how they can help you grow your startup! #cyberposium

Panelists (from left to right)

Hugo Van Vuuren, Xfund (Moderator)

Semyon Dukach, Techstars Boston

Gareth Keane, Qualcomm Ventures

Gaurav Jain, Founder Collective
Jeff Engler, Rock Health

The growth of accelerators has been fueled by the low cost of starting companies and the desire for people to control their own destiny.

As an entrepreneur, you need be extremely selective about the accelerator you choose to join. The primary value that accelerators and incubators provide is the people you meet there.

A startup company is the most efficient way to solve our world’s problems. The goal of accelerators and incubators is to help entrepreneurs make this vision a reality.

When to apply to an accelerator depends on what stage your company is in. Accelerators are for executing, not exploring. In order to get value from an accelerator you have to know what you want to build.

What can we expect to see from accelerators going forward? Money-back guarantees, more vertical-focused (e.g. hardware, digital health), and a continual focus on seed stage investments.