Welcome to the pulsing hub of innovation: New York, where the startup scene flourishes amid towering buildings and bustling streets. From Brooklyn's dynamic neighborhoods to Manhattan's thriving digital centers, New York's startup ecosystem is a kaleidoscope of ideas, talents, and possibilities. In recent years, New York has cemented its place as a worldwide startup powerhouse, rivaling Silicon Valley as a top destination for entrepreneurs looking to bring their ideas into reality. What distinguishes New York apart is not just its thriving environment, but also its unrivaled access to resources, talent, and funding. We have compiled a comprehensive list of New York's startup incubators and accelerators. They have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation', 'launch', or 'growth' stages, so whichever stage you're in, you would be able to find a program that suits you!
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FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN NEW YORK
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: EdTech
The StartEd program in New York supports education technology (EdTech) entrepreneurs and businesses at various stages of their journeys, with the goal of addressing the most pressing issues in education and workforce learning. StartEd's objective is to accelerate education innovation in Early Childhood, K-12, Higher Education, Workforce, and Adult Learning by assisting for-profit and non-profit organizations globally. The program provides access to a supportive network of experienced EdTech investors, startups, and educators known as "The StartEd Network," which fosters community, funding, and connections. The initiative seeks to improve education through digital teaching by offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and stimulating innovation, as well as ensuring equal quality education and lifetime learning opportunities for everyone.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Interplay VC is a venture studio that takes a highly customized and hands-on approach to company incubation. The program focuses on working with a limited number of organizations at a time, offering a personalized approach to each participating company's individual needs. It provides a Partner Track, in which one of Interplay's partners is personally allocated to the firm, outlining particular goals critical to success and working directly with the founders to accomplish them. The curriculum also features an Education Track, which offers a specialized executive education program that covers critical operational skills. While there is no monetary investment to join, the program usually requires a 5% equity stake in the firm. Although the incubator does not provide capital as part of the program, its venture fund maintains the right to participate in future fundraising rounds, ultimately aiming to support startups in their growth and development.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The Tacklebox Accelerator program in New York is a 7-week intensive bootcamp designed to provide early-stage founders the tools, coaching, and structure they need to convert their ideas into profitable businesses. The program's main goal is to help founders validate their company ideas, refine their value propositions, and gain early clients. It takes a highly customized approach, encouraging participants to uncover and evaluate assumptions about client problems and needs throughout customer acquisition. The curriculum emphasizes the value of responsibility, creative space for ideas, and a disciplined framework for starting and building a business. Tacklebox also offers access to a helpful community of mentors, fellow entrepreneurs, and investors, allowing participants to receive crucial feedback, support, and networking possibilities. The program concludes with investor pitches, offering founders the opportunity to receive valuable feedback and potential funding.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic, Columbia University Students
Almaworks, Columbia University's business accelerator, is an intense 8-week program designed to assist early-stage firms in achieving rapid and sustained development without requiring any equity. The program offers direct access to leading startup mentors, seminars on design, product/growth hacking, fundraising, and legal concerns, as well as essential tools from partners such as Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform. Almaworks also helps entrepreneurs with market validation, utilizing the Columbia University network and student product testers for iterative development. The program culminates with Almaworks Demo Day and the annual $250,000 Columbia Venture Competition, which provide entrepreneurs with prospects for additional development and investment. The initiative also includes student fellowship programs, which connect promising undergraduate students with select Columbia and Almaworks cohort and alumni firms.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic, Cornell University Students
eLab is Cornell University’s student accelerator that helps students create real-world enterprises by offering access to a wide range of resources. It draws some of the smartest and most ambitious students in the country, and it hosts a significant number of student teams throughout the semester. The program seeks to provide participants with the necessary experience, skills, and contacts to effectively begin a business. eLab provides a platform for students to verify their business ideas, improve their value propositions, and get their first clients. The program provides seminars, mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to critical resources, all of which help to establish and grow creative firms.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in New York
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Fashion Tech
The New York Fashion Tech Lab is a non-profit initiative co-founded by Springboard Enterprises and prominent fashion retailers to promote women-led businesses that have pioneered breakthroughs at the convergence of fashion, retail, and technology. Established in 2014, the program's mission is to nurture and accelerate global, women-led, B2B, fashion-focused digital startups by providing mentorship, engagement with fashion retailers, and access to industry leaders for product feedback and possible proof-of-concept deployments. Selected firms receive the chance to interact with senior corporate leaders, investors, and experienced entrepreneurs, as well as attend workshops and panel discussions on pertinent topics. The program concludes with a Demo Day Experiential Event, during which startups present to fashion and retail executives, investors, and media professionals. The lab's goal is to promote technology iteration, validation, and acceleration in order to progress the business while also empowering people from all backgrounds, ultimately revolutionizing the fashion tech environment.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Frontier Technologies
The Betaworks Camp is an 11-week themed investment and in-residence program aimed at businesses developing frontier technologies. The initiative offers selected startups a total investment of $500,000 from Betaworks and syndication partners, as well as one-on-one mentorship, bespoke programming, and product development-focused advice. It provides collaboration opportunities with other cohort firms, as well as access to shared workspace, workstations, and conference rooms at the Betaworks facilities in New York City. Furthermore, the program concludes with Demo Day presentations to potential investors. The program focuses on stimulating innovation, helping businesses, and creating a favorable atmosphere for learning and growth in the technology field.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Healthcare IT
Blueprint Health, a New York-based healthcare startup accelerator, provides a twelve-week intensive program geared at healthcare IT startups. The program is aimed to help businesses achieve their specific goals by offering marketing and sales advice, customer development, and funding assistance. It assists businesses with generating sales to clients and/or beginning to fundraise, with a focus on providing a friendly environment that does not detract from these critical goals. The program offers one-on-one meetings with a vast network of mentors, weekly founder conversations with successful healthcare IT firm founders, and dedicated office hours with program leaders. Blueprint Health also provides content creation help, sponsorship events, and culminates in an invite-only Demo Day for investors and industry leaders. Following the twelve-week period, the program continues to help its alumni founders by providing counsel, introductions, and access to a network of over 200 alumni founders.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
Big Idea Ventures, a global leader in early-stage investments, conducts a 5-month program in significant locations throughout the world, including New York. The program focuses on helping businesses grow by offering access to world-class mentors, advisers, and investors, as well as industry ties critical to the scalability of their ideas. The program includes a $200,000 investment, training to boost growth, and opportunities for product demonstrations and Demo Days. Additionally, successful completion of the program may result in follow-on funding of up to USD$2.5 million. The accelerator accepts applications on a rolling basis, and selected businesses can take part remotely or in person at the New York headquarters.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Optics, Photonics, Imaging
Luminate, based in Rochester, NY, is the world's biggest business accelerator for entrepreneurs in the optics, photonics, and imaging (OPI) sector. The initiative provides $100,000 in immediate cash upon approval, with the potential to compete for an additional $2 million in funding. It gives businesses access to a worldwide OPI network, business-specific mentorship, OPI-focused workshops, and lab facilities in the world's optics and image capital. Luminate connects entrepreneurs with OPI pioneers, investors, and industry experts in order to help them market innovative inventions and grow their businesses. The program not only financially helps entrepreneurs, but also provides them with the atmosphere, resources, and contacts they need to succeed. The program accepts companies from around the world that have proven their technologies at least at a lab scale and have a dedicated team committed to commercializing their technology.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: PropTech
The MetaProp Accelerator at Columbia University is a well-known proptech accelerator program that aims to help businesses in the real estate technology market. It offers a 22-week intensive program that provides entrepreneurs with mentorship, educational seminars, property visits, and networking opportunities throughout New York City. The accelerator focuses on bringing in fast-growing tenants from markets outside of New York City to help them develop a presence in the city. Additionally, the initiative provides participating entrepreneurs with free office space at MetaProp's Manhattan headquarters, combining acceleration with true incubation. The program's goal is to stimulate innovation, accelerate the growth of proptech firms, and contribute to making New York City the global capital of proptech.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
AngelPad, a renowned seed-stage accelerator, provides a four-month mentorship-driven program to provide unrivaled assistance to innovative entrepreneurs. With a heavy emphasis on post-funding, the program includes an initial investment, hands-on coaching from industry professionals, and access to a large network of experienced founders and investors. Startups receive extensive product development and business mentoring, as well as assistance with finance, customer acquisition, and growth plans. The program concludes with a demo day, where businesses present their accomplishments to an audience of angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry experts.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA) in New York is the city's largest accelerator program, aimed at favorably impacting early-stage entrepreneurs by offering seed capital, hands-on support, and a co-working space. ERA provides a first investment of $150,000 with a 6% post-money SAFE, coaching from a network of 500+ experienced investors and experts, and potential follow-on funding. Participating organizations receive a variety of perks, including Azure, web hosting credits, financial and legal assistance, and special pricing from numerous partners. The program's primary goal is to accelerate business maturity, create products, refine pitches, raise funding, and get exposure to investors and media ERA's broad mentor network, weekly seminars, demo days, and alumni participation foster quick improvement and the development of long-term enterprises.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Techstars provides a comprehensive three-month mentoring-driven accelerator program worldwide, supporting over 500 early-stage startups each year with a $120,000 investment, hands-on coaching, and access to a global network of investors, corporate partners, and alumni founders. The program offers entrepreneurs financial, human, and intellectual resources, lifelong access to the Techstars global network, over $400,000 in cash equivalent hosting, accounting, and legal help, and over $5 million in benefits. With a proven track record of building successful companies, Techstars aims to help entrepreneurs succeed by providing them with unparalleled support, connections, and resources to accelerate their growth and long-term success.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Lair East Labs is a prominent business accelerator in New York that provides a 4-month onsite program with investments of up to $150,000, match debt funding of up to $250,000, mentorship, networking, and workspace for emerging entrepreneurs. The curriculum is designed for creators with an international attitude, with the goal of empowering them to grow their businesses globally. Lair East Labs offers a unique set of services, including access to prominent entrepreneurs and mentors, broad investor and mentor networks, legal advice, training, and funding and growth assistance. Notably, the program prioritizes worldwide market potential and good social impact. Furthermore, founders benefit from 1:1 coaching, community and alumni network support, founder AMA sessions, mentorship and workshops, access to international markets, demo day opportunities, and legal setup and IP protection. At the end of the program, founders are expected to have achieved product-market fit.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The Tech Garden, run by CenterState CEO, is a premier technology incubator in Central New York, providing a comprehensive spectrum of incubation services to help digital entrepreneurs achieve their venture goals. The initiative offers participants bespoke packages that include co-working facilities, full-service incubation, and funding options. The Tech Garden offers a variety of initiatives such as the Innovation Hot Spot, Clean Tech Center, GENIUS NY, and Grants for Growth to assist firms in their commercialization efforts. Furthermore, the program provides participants access to a variety of resources, such as mentorship, events, and innovative partners, fostering an atmosphere in which businesses may thrive and expand.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Underrepresented Founders
The Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab is a trailblazing accelerator program that supports early-stage technology and tech-enabled firms founded by multicultural and female entrepreneurs. The initiative strives to bridge the financial gap for diverse founders by providing funds, connections, and specialized support to help them succeed. Participating entrepreneurs gain access to Morgan Stanley's network and resources, as well as mentorship and educational sessions, as part of a complete curriculum aimed to accelerate their growth and improve investor preparedness. The initiative aims to empower disadvantaged founders, promote diversity and inclusion in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and inspire significant innovation. The Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab is dedicated to supporting the success of diverse entrepreneurs and their ventures.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: UrbanTech
The Urban-X program is a highly impactful accelerator that supports entrepreneurs that address urban issues, notably in the areas of climate and social impact. The program lasts 20 weeks and offers businesses tailored programming, professional coaching, and access to a worldwide network of investors and resources. Urban-X provides weekly coaching, access to specialists in residence, a large network, a knowledge base, worldwide exposure, hardware prototypes, office space, startup incentives, and collaborations with significant firms like as Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, and Hubspot. The curriculum also includes media and communications training, one-on-one meetings with the leadership team, fundraising assistance, follow-on financing options, and an urbantech startup playbook. Urban-X's objective is to empower startups to drive scalable, real-world impact, and its comprehensive support and extensive resources make it a vital partner for startups aiming to create sustainable solutions for urban challenges.
Growth Stage Startup Accelerators in New York
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: B2B SaaS
Forum Ventures is a renowned early-stage fund and network that supports B2B SaaS entrepreneurs. Forum Ventures' aim is to make the B2B SaaS journey more accessible and successful for early-stage entrepreneurs by offering high-touch 1:1 assistance, programming, corporate benefits, and introductions, as well as cultivating a strong SaaS community. The program provides $100,000 USD in capital, tailored assistance from industry experts, and a go-to-market plan. Startups benefit from a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, access to hundreds of business benefits, and the ability to acquire capital with expert coaching. Founders who join the program receive extensive assistance, access to a varied network of mentors, and a platform tailored to catapult their businesses to success.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: FinTech
FinTech Innovation Lab New York, a joint project of the Partnership Fund for New York City and Accenture, is an annual program aimed at developing cutting-edge technological products for banking and insurance consumers. The 12-week accelerator helps early- and growth-stage fintech and insurtech businesses improve, test, and expand their ideas in close partnership with over 40 global financial institutions. Participants get mentorship from senior technology executives, access to technology and venture capital experts, and the chance to make New York City a fintech hotspot for corporate technology innovation. The program, which focuses on generative AI, cybersecurity, data, digital client interaction, corporate operations, insurtech, and payments, intends to accelerate fintech businesses' product and business growth, positioning them for success in the financial services industry.
Who is it for: Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Food, Agriculture, Social & Environmental Impact
FoodFutureCo is a pioneering scale-up accelerator in New York that supports small but established firms that provide new goods and solutions for the food chain. The program focuses on a variety of topics, including consumer items, local food, plant-based food, sustainable seafood, agricultural technology, food technology, and food waste. It assists high-growth firms in transitioning from the early product-market phase to mainstreaming their goods by providing a unique set of tools, including mentorship, industry experience, and access to a supportive network. Selected startups get bespoke training, an investment of up to $20,000 per company, continuous mentorship, and the prospect of further funding from the Food Future Fund.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
43North is a renowned accelerator program in Buffalo, New York that invests $5 million yearly in high-growth firms. Since its launch in 2014, the program has helped to attract and retain businesses in Buffalo through its intensive accelerator program. Startups accepted into the program receive a $1 million investment in exchange for 5% equity, as well as a plethora of benefits such as free workspace, mentorship, access to a network of investors and corporate partners, recruiting support, marketing assistance, and the ability to operate tax-free through the STARTUP-NY program. The program's goal is to give best-in-class resources to entrepreneurs, a bright workforce, and a supportive community, therefore making Buffalo an appealing location for creative businesses.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The Genius NY program in Syracuse, New York, is a highly competitive accelerator funded by Empire State Development that invests $3 million annually in seed-stage firms focused on unmanned aerial systems, automation, and advanced air transportation. Each year, the program picks five finalists, and the winners get a hefty investment, including a $1 million grand prize and four $500,000 investments. Participants also receive a complete support package that includes seminars, business training, free office space, industry mentors, and assistance with hiring, marketing, and fundraising efforts. The program's goal is to provide a fostering environment for entrepreneurs by providing not just financial support but also access to a large network, mentoring, and resources, establishing Syracuse as a prime location for drone-related enterprises and growth.
Who is it for: Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Starta Accelerator is a dynamic platform that helps foreign entrepreneurs expand to the United States by providing a thorough three-month acceleration program. The initiative's goal is to provide entrepreneurs with the skills, guidance, and networking opportunities they need to effectively navigate the US business climate. Startups get a variety of services, including co-working space in Manhattan, lifelong access to an investor network, and strategic advice from seasoned partners. Furthermore, the program allows entrepreneurs to raise $200K-$1M and provides continuing help in strategy and execution, giving it a great platform for scaling their presence in the US market and raising finance.
Who is it for: Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
VentureOut is a premier accelerator that offers vital resources, knowledge, and connections to top technology businesses in the United States and throughout the world, facilitating their entry into new markets, capital raising, and scaling. The program provides a wide range of initiatives, including one-week sector workshops and three-month U.S. launch programs, for businesses looking to establish a presence in the United States or grow their operations. VentureOut's full acceleration strategy includes private conferences, investor introductions, mentorship, strategy sessions, pitch evenings, investor receptions, lead creation, and fundraising help. Furthermore, the program arranges international conferences, which provide possibilities for businesses worldwide.
Closing Thoughts on Startup Incubators and Accelerators in New York
The startup scene in New York is vibrant and fertile ground for prospective entrepreneurs, providing a balance of innovation, support, and opportunity. In the concrete jungle of New York, startup incubators and accelerators function as innovation oasis, providing a defined framework and a multitude of tools to help entrepreneurs grow. By considering involvement in a startup incubator or accelerator in New York, entrepreneurs can harness the city's dynamic ecosystem to propel their ventures to new heights, taking advantage of the perks and opportunities that abound in this thriving entrepreneurial enclave.
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Closing Thoughts on Startup Incubators and Accelerators in New York
What are the top startup accelerator programs and innovation hubs in New York City's tech ecosystem?
Leading NYC accelerators include Techstars NYC, Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA), Grand Central Tech, NYU Tandon Future Labs, URBAN-X, Founder Institute NYC, and Antler. Major innovation hubs encompass New Lab in Brooklyn Navy Yard, Company (formerly Grand Central Tech), and CUNY Startups. Corporate accelerators include Barclays Accelerator and Comcast NBCU LIFT Labs.
How do application processes differ between Techstars NYC, ERA
(Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator), and other New York-based programs?
Techstars NYC runs cohorts twice yearly with a 1-2% acceptance rate, emphasizing team quality and traction. ERA accepts applications quarterly with a focus on market-ready solutions and a 2% acceptance rate. NYU Tandon Future Labs requires connection to NYU and offers rolling admissions. Most NYC programs require pitch decks, demos, founder interviews, and market validation, with application processes lasting 6-10 weeks.
What industry specializations do NYC accelerators focus on (fintech, media, healthtech, etc.)?
NYC accelerators excel in fintech (Barclays Accelerator, FinTech Innovation Lab), media/adtech (NYC Media Lab, Verizon Media Tech Venture Studio), healthcare (Digital Health Breakthrough Network, Blueprint Health), real estate tech (URBAN-X, MetaProp), fashion tech (New York Fashion Tech Lab), and food innovation (Food-X). This specialization reflects NYC's strengths in finance, media, healthcare, and commercial real estate.
What equity terms and funding opportunities can founders expect from New York accelerator programs?
ERA typically invests $100K for 8% equity. Techstars NYC offers $120K ($20K for 6% equity plus $100K convertible note). NYU Tandon Future Labs requires no equity but provides subsidized workspace. Corporate accelerators like Barclays often take no equity but focus on partnership opportunities. Venture investments typically range from $50K-$150K with equity expectations of 5-10%, slightly higher than Silicon Valley averages.
How does New York's startup ecosystem compare with Silicon Valley and Boston for early-stage ventures?
New York offers stronger access to customers and industry partners in finance, media, fashion, and advertising than Silicon Valley, with better timezone alignment for European markets. Compared to Boston, NYC provides broader industry diversity beyond biotech/healthtech. New York features higher operating costs than many tech hubs but offers unmatched density of potential enterprise customers. The ecosystem is more industry-focused than technology-focused, excelling in B2B, fintech, and direct-to-consumer startups.
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The New York Fashion Tech Lab is a game-changer for women-led startups in fashion tech, providing invaluable mentorship and industry access. If you're innovating in this space, it’s the perfect launchpad for your vision. Imagine your next product, like a stylish tweed handbag, showcased to top fashion leaders-this program helps bring those dreams to life!