Top Incubators

There are many entrepreneurs who are looking to launch their own companies; however, it can take a lot of work, and resources, to get a company off the ground. One option that people might have heard of is a startup incubator.

A Silicon Valley incubator, or one in any other location, is designed to help companies succeed in their infancy. In this sense, the top incubators are meant to provide workspace, mentoring, training, and even seed funding. These incubators are usually nonprofit organizations and are often tied to universities and business schools. These are programs that often extend invitations to students, alumni, members of the community, and more to take advantage of the program. It can take some connections to get into the best startup accelerators 2019 or the best startup accelerators 2018; however, places such as the Silicon Valley Incubator Show are great locations to start.

While startup incubators can take many shapes and forms, some startup incubators are better than others. Some of the best startup incubators include:

• 500 Startups: 500 Startups incubators are among the top options on the market today. The mission of 500 Startups is to discover the most talented entrepreneurs in the world, assisting them in creating companies that are designed to scale in a global economic environment. 
• Y Combinator: Y Combinator incubators is one of the most popular programs out there. They have dozens of slots available for each session and they provide a monetary award for entrepreneurs whose ideas make it through their program. Y Combinator is headquartered in Silicon Valley.
• Techstars: Techstars accelerators is one of the oldest and most popular startup incubators out there. Techstars has about 12 slots available for each session and they provide a monetary prize for companies that are chosen at the end of each session.
• Angelpad: Angelpad is another seed accelerator and they have been one of the top accelerators out there during the past few years, raising billions of dollars in funding.
• Plug and Play: Plug and Play Silicon Valley has a goal to make innovation open to anyone at any time. They connect corporations with some of the top young startups in the world. Their programs are themed by industry, allowing startups and corporate partners to meet each other and make meaningful business connections. Plug and Play invests in hundreds of startups per year, helping entrepreneurs raise the capital they need to get their ideas off the ground.

What Makes a Good Startup Incubator 

Not all startup incubators are created equal and some are better than others. One of the biggest questions that people have is regarding the differences between startup incubator vs. accelerator. When comparing the two, there are a few differences. The goal of an incubator is to take disruptive ideas and nurture them with the hope of building a new business model or company. In this sense, an incubator is usually more focused on innovation. In contrast, the job of an accelerator is to accelerate the growth of an existing company. Instead of focusing on innovation, an accelerator is going to focus on scaling an existing company. Both of these are different from a venture studio, which is another way that businesses can find help to get off the ground.

For those wondering what makes a good startup incubator, there are a few points to consider. First, a good startup incubator near me should provide plenty of networking opportunities. In order for a company to succeed, they need to provide a strong network of business partners. They can not only provide advice but also capital. This is another important facet to look for in the startup incubator business model. Mentorship can help young entrepreneurs get pointed in the right direction. Finally, a startup incubator should also provide plenty of support and inspiration for young entrepreneurs. This is where the Incubation Centre for Entrepreneurship can be helpful. Mentorship is one of the major parts of the role of Incubation Centre for Startups.

The startup incubator business model has numerous options available. There are a few types of startup SaaS incubator to note. The options include:

• For-profit incubators, who usually try to monetize equity in the companies they support
• Non-profit incubators, which try to grow companies to help the local economy
• Academic or government-owned incubators, which might be more specialized

Those who are interested should think about how to apply for startup incubator. Some of these incubators are more competitive than others. The earlier people jump on this opportunity, the sooner they can start networking and making connections that can help them succeed.

500 Startups 

500 Startups is one of the startup incubators in which people might be interested. This fund was founded back in 2010 by Christine Tsai and Dave McClure. 500 Startups accelerators admitted their first group of companies back in 2011. The fund is located in Mountain View, CA, where the admitted their first class; however, there is also a 500 Startups India location. Since that time, 500 Startups has grown significantly, with numerous 500 Startups careers as well. The 500 Startups curriculum has been designed to help companies grow and develop quickly, providing companies with networking and mentorship opportunities. 

500 Startups LinkedIn describes the educational opportunities that abound at 500 Startups. As a 500 Startups cohort, companies will have the opportunity to learn from other partners, debate deals with peers, participate in hands-on workshops, and learn from the rest of the 500 Startups portfolio. 500 Startups partners with some of the top academic institutions in the world, providing participants the opportunity to learn in a global setting.

There are numerous success stories that have come out of 500 Startups. Some of the top companies to have come out of 500 Startups include Udema, Mayvenn, Flat, and The Beard Club. The numerous success stories coming out of 500 Startups have simply contributed to the growing popularity of this program.

Y Combinator 

Y Combinator is a startup incubator that provides resources to entrepreneurs who would like to launch a startup. Y Combinator accelerators have made a name for themselves, providing young entrepreneurs with the networking skills they need to take companies to the next level. The Y Combinator startup school, which even took place during the Y Combinator summer 2019, provides entrepreneurs with the opportunity to learn from some of the top young leaders in the industry. The growth of Y Combinator has also led to the growth of Y Combinator jobs. Y Combinator is primed to offer exciting opportunities during Y Combinator summer 2020; however, the Y Combinator application is known to be competitive. There is even a Y Combinator India location.

One of the facets that sets Y Combinator apart is that they often urge startups to work out of their own home; however, Y Combinator is located in Silicon Valley. This is a prime location for those who are looking to launch a company in the tech industry. While the Y Combinator application is competitive, it is important to note that each Y Combinator has more than 40 slots available, making it much larger than programs such as Techstars. Furthermore, Y Combinator awards companies with an award of up to $150,000.

Angelpad 

Angelpad is one of the fastest growing incubators out there. MIT has consistently ranked Angelpad as one of the top accelerators today. In total, Angelpad cohorts have raised more than $2.2 billion in funding and the average funding for each program that goes through Angelpad is more than $14 million. Angelpad fall 2019 was one of the most successful times for this startup incubator and Angelpad 2019 saw witness to numerous young, successful companies. 

The Angelpad deadline is up in the air right now; however, they are sure to come back strong in 2020. The Angelpad application deadline is usually announced on the Angelpad Twitter feed, so those who are interested can keep their eyes open for updates. Angelpad is usually granted five percent in common stock and make an investment in the company that adds up to around seven percent total in Angelpad equity. Overall, Angelpad is competitive with other startup incubators and accelerators out there and are one of the most popular options for those looking to take their companies to new heights.

Top Incubators in India 

Finally, India is one of the largest countries in the world, providing companies with a fertile space in which to grow. This means that the number of incubators in India is growing quickly and the incubators in India 2019 had a lot of success, launching numerous companies. The list of incubators in India will include common names such as 500 Startups but will also include a health list of technology business incubators in India. Corporate accelerators in India are growing by leaps and bounds, providing companies with numerous opportunities to take advantage of Asian markets.

In addition to 500 Startups, TLabs is another popular startup incubator in India. This is backed by Times Internet and is a 4-month program providing plenty of mentorship in the technology sector. Companies in this program may receive funding up to $50,000.

Cisco Launchpad was founded by Cisco and is another 4-month program that mostly caters to students. Participants will also have access to coworking space and mentorship programs. This program provides funding of up to $8,000.

Finally, GSF Accelerator is a program that lasts around three months. This program aims to provide startups with unparalleled access to mentoring, capital, and business networks. Funding for this tech accelerator can be as much as $60,000. India has numerous startup opportunities.