Discover Delaware's best accelerators for your start-up
Choose an accelerator/incubator that provides your start-up with the right guidance to scale with confidence.
Choosing The Right Accelerator
Start-ups are hard. Choose an accelerator that guides you in the right direction.
"I doubt that Stripe would have worked without YC. It's that simple."
Patrick Collison, Founder, Stripe
"Accelerators claim they are in it for the long haul — I call bullshit"
Chris Lynch, Founder, Atlas Venture
"The network we built with Techstars was incredibly valuable during and after the program."
Raj Aggarwal, Founder, Localytics
What truly matters
Understand your equity’s true worth
Accelerator’s connections in the industry
Do they know why they succeeded in the past?
Do they really value your time?
Discover your perfect match
No accelerator or incubator is perfect for every start-up. Your business’s context and constraints matter. Identify your perfect match by answering this short questionnaire.
Delaware's Top Accelerators By Neighborhoods
Comparing Accelerators
This page covers the top accelerators and incubators in Delaware.
However if geography isn’t a hard constraint, and you are only looking for the best incubators and accelerators across the US, check here.
Brief Overview Of Different Accelerators
1) StartX
The esteemed startup accelerator, fellowship, and community at Stanford University is specifically designed for students, professors, and alumni. This educational non-profit supports top entrepreneurs, boasting a collective company valuation exceeding $40 billion. It has facilitated startups in raising an average of $24 million, with 165 associated companies valued at over $100 million and 18 achieving valuations above $1 billion. The organization benefits from the expertise of 75 tenured professors and fosters a community of over 1,600 founders. It accepts a diverse range of startups across industries including Artificial Intelligence, Biotech, Edtech, Fintech, Healthcare Tech, and SaaS. Unique to this initiative is its zero-equity policy, meaning no equity is taken from participating startups. Additionally, a fellowship program is offered to support early-stage founders with financial resources and mentorship. Through regular networking events, workshops, and connections with Stanford alumni and industry leaders, it cultivates a thriving entrepreneurial environment. Notable founders include Anuj Khandelwal, Arthur Meng, Cameron Teitelman, and Dan Ha, among others, contributing to a robust legacy of innovation and success.
2) The Innovation Space
The Innovation Space Accelerator is a four-month virtual program designed for early-stage startups in life sciences, clean tech, and advanced materials. It offers weekly workshops, 1-on-1 coaching, pitch preparation, and opportunities like the Science Inc. Showcase and Science Inc. Day Networking Event. Startups can opt for funding through the First Fund program, potentially receiving up to $200,000 in cash, lab space, and support services. Founder William D. Provine has established The Innovation Space as a not-for-profit innovation ecosystem and a hub for science entrepreneurs. CEO of Edulis, Spencer Matonis, lauded the accelerator for its networking opportunities. The program aims to propel startups towards success by providing tailored support, mentorship, and funding, fostering the growth of science-based ventures into industry leaders. With a focus on key domains like life sciences and clean tech, The Innovation Space Accelerator is a valuable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs in the science and technology sectors.
3) Kubeshop
Kubeshop is the world's first open-source accelerator dedicated to empowering developers and testers in the Kubernetes and cloud-native space. The organization's unique program focuses on identifying key challenges in this domain and transforming them into opportunities for open-source tools. Successful projects from Kubeshop include well-known tools like Swagger, Cucumber, and SoapUI. Notably, Kubeshop's open-source GitOps-powered platform for Kubernetes, Kubefirst, was acquired by CIVO. The organization has a track record of nurturing and adapting great projects, with one of the founders being Dmitry Fonarev. They are also part of The Linux Foundation, and OpenAPI Initiative. Specializing in Kubernetes and cloud-native technologies, Kubeshop offers a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, providing core services such as Developer Relations, Marketing, and general Go-To-Market expertise to help teams grow their projects. With a mission to build a thriving open-source ecosystem and pipeline of next-generation Kubernetes products, Kubeshop is at the forefront of fostering innovation in the Kubernetes ecosystem. Prominent alumni include- Testkube and Tracetest.
4) Silverpips
The Silverpips accelerator is a virtual technology incubator. It aids founders and startups seeking to establish themselves in the North American market. The accelerator collaborates with up to 25 startups concurrently until they reach initial customer traction. Their team, comprising 2 professionals, specializes in technology startups in high-growth sectors, offering technology support and expertise in incorporating network effects for exponential business growth. Additionally, they facilitate business expansion in North America and provide a swift immigration process for investors looking to set up in the region within 2-3 months. Operating with a focus on safety, the accelerator presents a secure escrow-based investment system with a low minimum investment threshold. Some notable startups involved with Silverpips include PoolsiFi, Market DaVinci, Point Capitalis, The Social Cat, and several others spanning domains like finance, education, and AI-driven services.
5) Zigzag (Accelerator)
Zigzag is a two-phase accelerator program that leverages the power of AI-human collaboration to drive innovation and disruption in the startup ecosystem. The program is designed to support startups in building the next big thing by providing them with comprehensive insights and guidance at every step of the journey.
6) Startup302
Startup302 is Delaware's premier funding competition tailored for technology startups founded by underrepresented individuals. The accelerator prioritizes enhancing access and equity in the state's innovation ecosystem by nurturing a variety of perspectives. Startups with at least one founder from an underrepresented group are encouraged to apply, especially those in domains like bioscience, chemistry, advanced materials, agriculture, financial services, and emerging e-sports. Although the exact number of associated startups and the program duration remain undisclosed, the organization targets early-stage ventures in fintech, life sciences, and environmental impact for potential investment. Winners of the competition benefit from over $215,000 in cash grants, mentorship opportunities, and access to a valuable network within the startup community. Notable features include a chance to learn from industry leaders and make meaningful connections, while past success stories showcase the impact of the program on startups led by underrepresented founders. Don't miss out on the next edition of the Startup302 Pitch Competition in 2024!
7) Saturn Therapeutics
Saturn Therapeutics is an accelerator firm founded in 2019 and located in Delaware. The organization primarily operates as an accelerator/incubator, actively seeking new investments. James McLaughlin is the founder of Saturn Therapeutics. They are still at an early-stage in their journey.
Top Reasons Start-ups Participate In Accelerators
Network expansion
Your net-worth is greatly determined by your network.
Holistic growth
Marketing, Sales, Tech, Ops, HR, Finance, Admin...... you can’t go wrong in any one field.
Peer learning
There’s not enough time in the world to learn from one’s own mistakes. Peer learning helps.
Rapid learning curve
There’s a reason accelerators are called accelerators. It’s a fast ride.
Why an accelerator might not be right for you
It's usually helpful to consider potential pitfalls. Some common misconceptions
Only you feel the punch
Everybody has a plan till they get punched in the face. Strategy & accelerators can only guide you to a point. No one else will feel the struggle as you would.
Figuring out the failure rates
Everyone can point to a few success stories. Though in general 95% of all start-ups fail. An important question is- what %ge of an accelerator's start-up survive after 3 years.
What's the real value of your equity
There's a math behind how accelerators decide whether your start-up is worth investing. Did you run the calculation for diluting your equity?
FAQs About Start-up Accelerators
Spend time on what matters: your business.
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Accelerators and Incubators in delaware
Looking for the best accelerators in Delaware? Here are some top reasons to choose an accelerator in the first state. Accelerators provide startups with valuable resources, such as mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities, that can help them grow and succeed. The start-up culture in Delaware is thriving, with a supportive community of entrepreneurs and investors who are dedicated to helping new businesses thrive. When choosing the right accelerator for your startup, it's important to consider factors such as the industry focus of the accelerator, the track record of success, the mentorship and support offered, and the networking opportunities available. Some notable start-ups from Delaware that have seen success include SevOne, SoFi, and Monet Networks. These companies have leveraged the resources and support of accelerators in Delaware to grow their businesses and achieve success.
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