Long-horizon business incubation and consulting

The wider ecosystem

Join the ecosystem.

Accelerators, incubators, universities, coworking spaces, angel groups, public advisers and founder communities already do great work. Join them. WE works alongside, for the long run.

A founder at the center with eight kinds of program in orbit The kinds of program, from the top clockwise: Accelerators, Incubators, University, Coworking, Angels and investors, SBA partners, Government and funding, Founder communities.

A company takes years, and no single program covers all of them. The people who last use many: a batch in year one, a community around them, a lender or a public adviser when the time comes, a research partner, an investor group. This page lists the ones WE could verify, so you can join the ones that fit.

Independent programs; no affiliation implied unless stated. Each entry was checked against the program’s own page in October 2026. Programs change; confirm details with the program before you apply.

A founder at the center, eight kinds of program in orbit

No program is the whole answer. Each one suits a stretch of the journey, a kind of company or a kind of founder. Pick the ones that fit this year, and expect the mix to change. Join them. WE works alongside, for the long run. 64 programs are listed below.

  • Accelerators and cohort programs

    Time-boxed programs that take a group of companies through a batch of mentoring, peers and a closing showcase.

    20 programs

  • Incubators

    Places and programs that give an early company space, equipment, advice and a community while it forms.

    5 programs

  • University and research programs

    Programs run by universities and research funders to move ideas out of the lab and into the market.

    7 programs

  • Coworking and community spaces

    Shared workplaces and regular gatherings where founders meet each other and the wider local scene.

    5 programs

  • Angel groups and investor-relations programs

    Groups of individual investors, and programs that organize pitches, forums and demo days where founders meet them.

    5 programs

  • SBA resource partners

    Local advising and training networks supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration and other federal agencies.

    6 programs

  • Government and community funding

    Federal research awards, manufacturing help, loans and community lenders that fund companies on public terms.

    8 programs

  • Founder communities

    Networks, programs and lenders built for particular groups of founders: women, veterans, immigrants, Latino and multicultural founders, and rural founders.

    8 programs

How to choose

Start with what you need now. Each line below leads to the kind of program that most often fits.

How to choose
What you need Look at Why
I have an idea and want peers and a deadline. Accelerators A batch gives a rhythm, a group of peers and a closing showcase.
I need a lab, a shop or a real place to build. Incubators Incubators hold facilities and a community while the company forms.
I am a student, researcher or alumnus with technology. University University programs turn research into customers, often through the school.
I want to work around other builders. Coworking A shared space and weekly gatherings cost little and open many doors.
I have a product and early traction, and want investors. Angels and investors Angel groups put many individual investors in one room.
I want practical advice close to home. SBA partners SBA partners advise on plans, finance, certification and contracting.
I do research, make physical goods or need a loan. Government and funding Public awards, manufacturing help and community lenders fund work on understood terms.
I want peers who share my background. Founder communities Programs for women, veterans, immigrants, Latino and multicultural, and rural founders.

The directory

Each category starts with a few programs. Open its full list to see every entry: what the program offers, who it is for, where it is, how it runs, and the page we checked. Filter below, or jump to a category.

Jump to: Accelerators , Incubators , University , Coworking , Angels and investors , SBA partners , Government and funding , Founder communities

Accelerators and cohort programs (20)

Often a fit for: Founders with a first product or a strong team who want speed, peers and an investor audience.

All 20 accelerators and cohort programs
  • Y Combinator

    A funded batch in which each company works with a dedicated YC partner, with a kick-off and a batch each season.

    Who it is for
    Early-stage startups invited to interview after applying.
    Format
    Batches run in each season; the Winter batch runs January to March.
    Where
    San Francisco (In person)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Launching
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • Startup School (Y Combinator)

    A self-paced online course on how to start a startup, with co-founder matching and weekly progress tracking.

    Who it is for
    Early-stage founders, people turning a side project into a company, and the curious.
    Format
    About seven weeks at one to two hours a week.
    Where
    Online (Online)
    Stage
    Idea, Building
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • Techstars

    Mentorship-driven accelerator programs with access to networks and capital, run in cities and by industry vertical.

    Who it is for
    Early-stage startups; verticals include health, finance, space and defense, and critical infrastructure.
    Format
    Programs of about three months.
    Where
    Boston, Boulder, Chicago, Columbus, London, New York, Tokyo and a program open to teams anywhere (Varies by location)
    Stage
    Building, Launching
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • 500 Global

    Flagship accelerator and regional programs for founders, plus programs for investors, mentorship, venture education and events.

    Who it is for
    Globally ambitious founders building fast-growing technology companies.
    Format
    Programs vary by region; some events are by invitation.
    Where
    United States and a global network (Varies by location)
    Stage
    Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • Antler

    Pre-seed capital, a network and a local team for founders ready to build, plus scale-up capital through Antler Elevate.

    Who it is for
    Founders ready to build at pre-seed, and breakout technology companies seeking Series A and later capital.
    Format
    Delivered through local offices; see the program page for the current format.
    Where
    Offices across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa (In person)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • Entrepreneur First

    Co-founder matching, a residential retreat and a cohort for individuals who want to build a company, with support through first revenue and demo day.

    Who it is for
    Individuals who have outperformed their peers and want to build a company, with an idea or without one.
    Format
    Office space for three months in San Francisco, or nine months in London, Bangalore and San Francisco.
    Where
    London, Bangalore and San Francisco (In person)
    Stage
    Idea, Building
    Open to
    Open to all founders
    Stated terms
    The program states an investment of up to $250K once a company is formed; read its page for the full terms.
  • Alchemist Accelerator

    A six-month accelerator with coaching, investor access and fundraising support for technical founders building enterprise companies.

    Who it is for
    Technical founders building enterprise or B2B companies, including AI software and deep tech.
    Format
    Six months, with an in-person kick-off week in the Bay Area and a virtual demo day.
    Where
    San Francisco Bay Area; founders can join from anywhere (In person and online)
    Stage
    Building, Launching
    Open to
    Open to all founders
    Stated terms
    The program states a single-digit equity grant, typically 5 percent, and an optional investment.
  • HAX

    Pre-seed investment and hands-on engineering support for hard-tech startups, with industrial-grade space and a technical team.

    Who it is for
    Pre-seed startups solving hard problems with hard tech: energy, advanced compute, transportation, health tech and manufacturing.
    Format
    Founders join one of the program locations; applications go through the SOSV site.
    Where
    San Francisco, New York and Newark (In person)
    Stage
    Idea, Building
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • gener8tor

    Investment accelerators, shorter coaching programs, skills accelerators and corporate and sustainability programs.

    Who it is for
    Startups, creatives, career seekers and corporations, depending on the program.
    Format
    A twelve-week investment-for-equity program, and four- or seven-week coaching programs.
    Where
    More than 50 communities (Varies by location)
    Stage
    Building, Launching
    Open to
    Open to all founders
    Stated terms
    The investment accelerator is an investment in exchange for equity; other programs differ.
  • Founder Institute

    A structured program for founders with an idea: ten sessions, mentor feedback, an AI-assisted curriculum and a funding day.

    Who it is for
    Founders with an idea who want to build a company, including solo founders.
    Format
    Ten sessions and a funding day, run in cohorts.
    Where
    More than 200 cities, with online cohorts (In person and online)
    Stage
    Idea, Building
    Open to
    Open to all founders
    Stated terms
    The program describes an entrance fee and a small equity pledge to a collective; read its page for the current terms.
  • Startupbootcamp

    About thirty industry-specific accelerators, including programs for energy and climate, food and agritech, health, mobility, and a program for female founders.

    Who it is for
    Startups in the industry each program names.
    Format
    Three-month accelerators, mostly hybrid.
    Where
    Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Georgia, Australia, Italy, Mexico City, South Africa and Saudi Arabia (In person and online)
    Stage
    Building, Launching
    Open to
    Open to all founders, Women
  • Creative Destruction Lab

    An objectives-based program run by a nonprofit, organized in streams, with mentors.

    Who it is for
    Seed-stage, science- and technology-based companies that aim to scale massively.
    Format
    Streams at sites in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia; applications for 2026/27 are open.
    Where
    Seventeen sites including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Seattle, London, Berlin and Paris (In person)
    Stage
    Building, Launching
    Open to
    Researchers and scientists
  • Village Capital

    Accelerator programs, resources and tools, with impact investments in equity, debt and revenue share, delivered with local partners.

    Who it is for
    Impact startups in climate innovation, economic mobility and equitable access to essential services.
    Format
    Accelerator programs with locally led partners.
    Where
    Network of local partners (Varies by location)
    Stage
    Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Under-resourced founders
  • Seedcamp

    Seed investment with advice, support and a network for early-stage founders.

    Who it is for
    Early-stage founders with ambitious plans.
    Format
    An early-stage investor with a founder network; see its page for how to apply.
    Where
    London, United Kingdom (Varies by location)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Launching
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • Dreamit Ventures

    Customer sprints and investor sprints for early-stage cybersecurity startups, with an active partnership on customer acquisition and fundraising.

    Who it is for
    Pre-Series A U.S. cybersecurity companies with early signs of product-market fit.
    Format
    Quarterly customer sprints and investor sprints.
    Where
    United States (Varies by location)
    Stage
    Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • Endeavor

    Entrepreneur programs, a global community of mentors and local boards, and co-investment through the Endeavor Catalyst Fund.

    Who it is for
    High-impact entrepreneurs who are scaling businesses.
    Format
    Selection into a global network of entrepreneurs.
    Where
    Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States and Canada (Varies by location)
    Stage
    Growing, Scaling
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • Google for Startups

    Accelerators for growth-stage startups, Startup School online lessons, AI immersion programs, forums, workshops and API sprints.

    Who it is for
    Startups from early stage to growth stage, depending on the program.
    Format
    A mix of programs, live-streamed lessons and digital events.
    Where
    Online and in person, by program (Varies by location)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • Microsoft for Startups

    Cloud credits, AI models and developer tools, technical resources and access to Microsoft’s customer network for go-to-market help.

    Who it is for
    Startups building, scaling and selling their products.
    Format
    An online benefits program.
    Where
    Online (Online)
    Stage
    Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • AWS for Startups

    Cloud credits through AWS Activate, technical guidance, go-to-market support and investor connections.

    Who it is for
    Startups at any stage, from an early idea to pre-IPO.
    Format
    An online benefits program with credits that offset usage.
    Where
    Online (Online)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Launching, Growing, Scaling
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • NVIDIA Inception

    Technical courses, preferred pricing on select hardware and software, cloud credits, a venture-capital connection network and go-to-market opportunities.

    Who it is for
    AI startups that are incorporated, have a developer and a website, and are under ten years old.
    Format
    Membership by application; the program states it has no deadlines or cohorts.
    Where
    Online, with events in various cities (Online)
    Stage
    Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders

This kind of program on its own page

Incubators (5)

Often a fit for: Teams that need a lab, a shop, a campus or a steady community more than a short sprint.

All 5 incubators
  • Newlab

    Labs, shops, pilot sites and workspaces, commercialization projects with industry and government partners, and access to venture capital and grant funding.

    Who it is for
    Startups building critical technology.
    Format
    A venture platform that combines physical facilities, partner projects and capital.
    Where
    Brooklyn, Detroit, New Orleans, Montevideo and Riyadh (In person)
    Stage
    Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • 1871

    A nonprofit innovation hub with programs, innovation labs, events, resources and a job network.

    Who it is for
    Early-stage and growth-stage startups, and corporate innovators, through membership tiers.
    Format
    Physical and virtual membership with programming and events.
    Where
    Chicago (In person and online)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • Capital Factory

    The Texas Fund makes cash investments in deep and frontier tech companies, and All Access is a network and membership program.

    Who it is for
    Ambitious founders working on hard problems, from seed to Series C.
    Format
    Two vehicles: a fund, and a membership program of about a hundred companies a year.
    Where
    Texas (In person)
    Stage
    Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • Activate

    A fellowship that builds the mindset, skills and network scientists need to turn hard technology into real-world impact.

    Who it is for
    Scientists who want to become entrepreneurial leaders.
    Format
    A fellowship; applications for the 2026 cohort were open when checked.
    Where
    United States, with local communities (In person)
    Stage
    Idea, Building
    Open to
    Researchers and scientists
  • STATION F

    A startup campus with equipped workspaces, programs and housing, home to more than a thousand startups.

    Who it is for
    Startups from early stage through growth; the Founders Program is one of the campus programs.
    Format
    On-campus programs and workspaces.
    Where
    Paris, France (In person)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders

This kind of program on its own page

University and research programs (7)

Often a fit for: Students, faculty, alumni and researchers with technology that needs customers and a commercial path.

All 7 university and research programs
  • NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps)

    A seven-week training program that helps researchers move basic research toward commercialization, hosted by I-Corps Hubs and Nodes.

    Who it is for
    Scientists and engineers with NSF-funded or other basic research ready for commercialization.
    Format
    Teams of about twenty to thirty per cohort, seven-week curriculum; national and regional team tracks.
    Where
    United States, through Hubs and Nodes (Varies by location)
    Stage
    Idea, Building
    Open to
    Researchers and scientists, Students and alumni
  • Berkeley SkyDeck

    An accelerator program with specialized deep-tech tracks, an incubator for early-stage teams with a University of California founder, and open work areas.

    Who it is for
    Startups from all industries; the Pad-13 incubator needs at least one founder affiliated with the University of California.
    Format
    About twenty startups selected every six months; partner programs run for three months.
    Where
    Berkeley, California (In person)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Launching
    Open to
    Open to all founders, Students and alumni
  • StartX

    Mentorship, resources, tools, networking events, vetted partners and investors, and the Stanford alumni network.

    Who it is for
    Stanford founders.
    Format
    Apply, interview with admissions, then join the kick-off.
    Where
    Stanford, California (In person)
    Stage
    Building, Launching
    Open to
    Students and alumni
  • MIT delta v

    A summer accelerator with funding, a partner network for mentorship and workshops, and partner perks, ending in a demo day.

    Who it is for
    Founders already building full time, with a demo-able prototype and early interest from customers or partners.
    Format
    About three months, from June to a September demo day.
    Where
    Cambridge, Massachusetts (In person)
    Stage
    Building, Launching
    Open to
    Students and alumni
  • Harvard Innovation Labs

    Advising, expert office hours, on-demand learning, funding opportunities, events, coworking and a wet lab.

    Who it is for
    Students from all Harvard schools, alumni founders, and biotech and life science ventures.
    Format
    Membership, workshops, accelerators and coworking.
    Where
    Greater Boston (In person)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Launching
    Open to
    Students and alumni
  • Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship

    Investor and startup venture forums, pitch competitions, the Rice Business Plan Competition and startup programs.

    Who it is for
    Startups, investors, corporations and students.
    Format
    Forums, competitions and programs through the year.
    Where
    Houston, Texas (In person)
    Stage
    Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders, Students and alumni
  • CREATE-X (Georgia Tech)

    A startup class, prototyping grants and mentorship, and a launch program with seed funding and in-kind services.

    Who it is for
    Georgia Tech students at all levels, and faculty, researchers and alumni in the launch program.
    Format
    Classes, grants, funding and events, with an annual demo day.
    Where
    Atlanta, Georgia (In person)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Launching
    Open to
    Students and alumni

This kind of program on its own page

Coworking and community spaces (5)

Often a fit for: Anyone who works better around other builders, from the first week to the first hire.

All 5 coworking and community spaces
  • CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center)

    Flexible workspace and private offices, lab space, meeting rooms and event spaces, and advisory services for ecosystems.

    Who it is for
    Startups, scale-ups, enterprises, institutions and researchers.
    Format
    Memberships in managed innovation campuses.
    Where
    Cambridge, Boston, Philadelphia, Providence and St. Louis, plus sites in Europe, the Middle East and Asia (In person)
    Stage
    Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • WeWork

    Private offices, coworking memberships with access across many locations, day desks, meeting rooms and event spaces.

    Who it is for
    Freelancers, small businesses and large enterprises.
    Format
    Memberships from a day desk to a private office; the page lists no standard rates.
    Where
    600 locations in 34 countries (In person)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • Industrious

    Coworking and flexible office space, including private offices, team suites, meeting rooms and virtual membership.

    Who it is for
    Hybrid workers and teams of up to about twenty.
    Format
    Memberships by the desk, office or suite.
    Where
    North America, Europe, Asia and Australia (In person)
    Stage
    Building, Launching, Growing
    Open to
    Open to all founders
  • Impact Hub

    Collaborative spaces, programs, connections and shared knowledge for entrepreneurs working on social and environmental change.

    Who it is for
    Entrepreneurs, corporates, public institutions and investors.
    Format
    Membership in a network of locally run hubs.
    Where
    More than 50 hubs in more than 70 countries (In person)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Launching
    Open to
    Under-resourced founders
  • Venture Café Global Institute

    Weekly Thursday gatherings that connect innovators, plus services that help cities launch their own gatherings.

    Who it is for
    Innovators and the people who support them.
    Format
    Weekly gatherings at each location.
    Where
    Sixteen locations in Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America (In person)
    Stage
    Idea, Building, Launching
    Open to
    Open to all founders

This kind of program on its own page

Angel groups and investor-relations programs (5)

Often a fit for: Companies with a working product and early traction that are ready to raise from many small investors.

All 5 angel groups and investor-relations programs

This kind of program on its own page

SBA resource partners (6)

Often a fit for: Owners at any stage who want practical advice close to home, from a first plan to government contracting.

All 6 SBA resource partners

This kind of program on its own page

Government and community funding (8)

Often a fit for: Technical teams with research to do, manufacturers, and owners who need a loan on understood terms.

All 8 government and community funding programs

This kind of program on its own page

Founder communities (8)

Often a fit for: Founders who want peers with a shared background and programs designed around it.

All 8 founder communities

This kind of program on its own page

Public research awards have their own guide: SBIR and STTR.

Every program here is independent. WE lists it because founders may want to consider it. No affiliation, partnership or endorsement is implied, and none is stated for any entry.

Programs across the years of a company

Companies that last rarely finish with one program. The bars show when each kind of program often fits. WE works alongside the whole way, as the long-running thread, for as long as the work is useful.

When each kind of program often fits across ten years Bars for each kind of program over years 0 to 10, with WE as one thread under all of them. Illustrative, not a schedule. Every company follows its own path. Year 0 Year 2 Year 4 Year 6 Year 8 Year 10 Accelerators Incubators University Coworking Angels and investors SBA partners Government and funding Founder communities WE WE, alongside for the long run
Illustrative, not a schedule. Every company follows its own path.
The same timeline as a table
The same timeline as a table
Kind of programOften fits
AcceleratorsYear 0.5 to year 2
IncubatorsYear 0 to year 3
UniversityYear 0 to year 2
CoworkingYear 0 to year 6
Angels and investorsYear 1.5 to year 5
SBA partnersYear 0 to year 10 and beyond
Government and fundingYear 1 to year 8
Founder communitiesYear 0 to year 10 and beyond
WEAlongside, from year 0 to year 10 and beyond

Why a company takes the time it takes

The directory in numbers

Counted from the entries below. One program can fit more than one stage or group.

  • 64verified programs
  • 8kinds of program
  • 19with an online option

By kind of program

  • Accelerators 20
  • Incubators 5
  • University 7
  • Coworking 5
  • Angels and investors 5
  • SBA partners 6
  • Government and funding 8
  • Founder communities 8

By stage of company

  • Idea 32
  • Building 52
  • Launching 54
  • Growing 35
  • Scaling 8

Built for particular founders

  • Women 5
  • Veterans and military families 4
  • Immigrant founders 2
  • Latino founders 2
  • Under-resourced founders 7
  • Rural founders 1
  • Students and alumni 7
  • Researchers and scientists 4

Questions

Does WE run a program like these?
No. WE sits outside this list. WE builds software-enabled companies with founders through a dedicated, fully remote team, and works alongside the programs a founder joins.
Do I have to choose between WE and an accelerator?
No. Many founders join a program and work with WE at the same time or later. The two answer different needs: a program gives peers, structure and an audience, and WE gives a team that stays for the long run.
Is any of these programs endorsed by WE?
No. Every program is independent and no affiliation is implied unless an entry says so. None does.
How were the entries chosen?
WE read each program’s own page in October 2026 and kept the ones that exist and are active. Programs that could not be verified, or that were not taking applications, are left out and may be added later.
What does a program take in return?
It varies, and some programs take nothing. Where a program states its terms publicly, the entry says so. Always ask for the terms in writing before you apply, and read them with your own adviser.
Which program should I join first?
The one that answers what you need this year. Use the decision guide above, then talk to the founders who completed the program last year.
A program I know is missing. Can it be added?
Yes. Tell WE through the contact page with the program’s own link, and WE will check it the same way.

Still under review

Some kinds of program do not yet have an entry because WE could not confirm a current, active page: programs for founders over 50, state economic development offices, and several programs for Black founders. WE adds them as each is verified.

Join them. Then build for the long run.

Tell WE where your company is. A readiness review says plainly whether the work fits, and which of these programs would help most right now.