{"category":{"slug":"startup-accelerator-directories","label":"Startup accelerator directories"},"methodology_url":"https://www.orbator.io/ai-index/methodology","license":"Free to use with attribution to orbator.io","date":"2026-08-30","engine":null,"available_dates":["2026-08-30","2026-08-29","2026-08-08","2026-08-06","2026-08-05","2026-07-28","2026-07-25","2026-07-24","2026-07-18","2026-07-17","2026-06-28","2026-06-27","2026-06-17","2026-06-12"],"policy":{"quotable_engines":["anthropic","openai","gemini"],"max_excerpt_chars":400,"full_text_public":false,"customer_runs_public":false,"full_text_retention":"retained at least 24 months, then operator review","notes":["Only Index category runs are archived publicly — customer scans never appear.","The quotable unit is a short excerpt of at most 400 characters, never the full answer.","Engines outside the verbatim allowlist are recorded as having answered, with the excerpt withheld under their terms.","Prompt intent is published; the prompt text itself is not."]},"status":"ok","count":6,"limit":50,"truncated":false,"engines":[{"engine":"anthropic","count":6,"withheld":false,"answers":[{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-08-30","prompt_intent":"best_in_category","excerpt":"Here's a breakdown of the best platforms and resources for discovering startup funding programs and accelerators, organized by type:\n\n## Searchable Accelerator/Incubator Databases\n\n**OpenVC** – Gives founders access to a searchable database of 1,000+ startup incubators and accelerators actively supporting early-stage startups, with filters by stage, industry, and geography, plus the ability to sen","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":183,"end":189,"name":"OpenVC"}]},{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-08-30","prompt_intent":"best_in_category","excerpt":"## Best Directories for Finding Startup Accelerators & Incubators\n\n### Large searchable databases\n\n**IncubatorList.com** — Browse 16,169+ venture capital firms, startup accelerators and incubators worldwide, with filters by city, focus area, and funding stage, plus updated listings, deadlines and offers. There's also a companion site, **IncubatorList.net**, focused specifically on top US programs,","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":101,"end":118,"name":"IncubatorList.com"}]},{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-08-30","prompt_intent":"problem_solving","excerpt":"Finding accelerators that specialize in your specific industry vertical takes a mix of research, networking, and using the right databases. Here's a systematic approach:\n\n## 1. Use Accelerator Databases & Directories\n- **F6S** – One of the largest platforms listing accelerators, incubators, and startup programs, searchable by industry, location, and stage.\n- **Seed-DB** – Tracks accelerator progra","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":221,"end":224,"name":"F6S"},{"start":363,"end":370,"name":"Seed-DB"}]},{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-08-30","prompt_intent":"problem_solving","excerpt":"Finding the right accelerator depends on matching your startup's specific stage, needs, and goals to what different programs offer. Here's a practical framework:\n\n## 1. Assess Your Stage First\n- **Idea/pre-seed**: Look for accelerators that accept concept-stage startups and focus heavily on mentorship, ideation validation, and team-building (e.g., university-affiliated programs, Y Combinator's ear","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":382,"end":394,"name":"Y Combinator"}]},{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-08-30","prompt_intent":"alternatives","excerpt":"## Alternatives to the Most Well-Known Startup Accelerator Directories\n\nIf you've been relying on the standard \"top accelerators\" lists (often dominated by Y Combinator, Techstars, and 500 Global), here are some solid alternative directories and approaches to discover accelerator programs beyond the usual suspects:\n\n### Curated/Filterable Databases\n- **OpenVC** offers a complete list of 1,300+ acc","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":156,"end":168,"name":"Y Combinator"},{"start":170,"end":179,"name":"Techstars"},{"start":185,"end":195,"name":"500 Global"},{"start":355,"end":361,"name":"OpenVC"}]},{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-08-30","prompt_intent":"recommendation","excerpt":"Based on available data, there are several platforms competing for this space, each with different claims to comprehensiveness:\n\n**IncubatorList.com** appears to have the largest raw numbers, offering 21,471+ verified venture capital firms, startup accelerators and incubators worldwide, filterable by city, focus area, and funding stage. However, this figure blends VCs together with accelerators/in","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":131,"end":148,"name":"IncubatorList.com"}]}]}]}