Feb 214 min read

These are the top 10 London accelerators founders say you should apply to in 2024

Does anyone even read the intro? Or do they all just skim straight to the names and practicalities? Well, just in case someone is reading this (hi Mom!), this accelerator list is a result of six months of relentless networking fueled by more cold brew than I’d care to admit.

My pivot towards mentoring accelerators and VC portfolios has opened new kinds of doors to funded startup events, where the dialogue about where to get incubated/accelerated was always on. Several programs stood out in their ability to catapult their ventures into the spotlight.

These accelerators aren't one-size-fits-all. Some are laser-focused on specific industries, like quantum computing and AI, while others are all about sustainability and social justice. Some are gold for founders with barely a sketch on a napkin, while others can catapult seasoned startups onto the global stage. They all have their secret sauce, you know?

The point is, London's got every flavor of incubation program you could imagine. So, whether you're building the next big fintech app or a revolutionary waste-to-energy plant, there's a perfect fit out there waiting for you.

Let me know if you're curious about any specific programs!

Full disclosure - I’m a mentor at Techstars and Intel Ignite.

Top 10 London Startup Accelerators in 2024

(by alphabetical order)

500 Startups London

URL: https://500.co/london/
Stage & Verticals: Early stage startups across sectors
Chosen because: $150k for 6% equity
Chosen: Global accelerator with London presence and large founder community
What the startups say: “It was intense...we drank from the startup firehose. In the end, it was totally worth it."

Antler

URL: https://www.antler.co/location/uk
Stage & Verticals: Pre-product startups across sectors.
Equity: £120,000 investment in exchange for 10% equity
Chosen because: you get matched with a co-founder, initial funding, and a global support network to rapidly build your startup.
What the startups say: "Antler's access to experienced entrepreneurs is invaluable for guidance and scale"

Bethnal Green Ventures

URL: https://www.bethnalgreenventures.com/
Stage & Verticals: Early-stage, social and environmental impact ventures
Equity: £60,000 investment for 7% equity
Chosen because: Supportive community and unique learning opportunities for impact-driven founders.
What the startups say: ""If you're mission-driven and want to make a positive impact on society, BGV is for you. The focus on sustainability and social justice is baked into everything they do."

Entrepreneur First

URL: https://www.joinef.com/
Stage & Verticals: Pre-seed, diverse ventures; co-founder matching. They don't take equity outright from the get-go. Instead, they secure an option to purchase equity at a specified amount in the future (80K for 10%), but it's not an immediate transaction.
Chosen because: Strong track record in quantum computing, biotech, and other deep tech verticals.
What the startups say: "Even though you may go legally blind from looking at their website, EF is fantastic for very technical founders looking to build deep tech startups with hands-on support. Entrepreneur First's co-founder matching was transformative, giving me the perfect partner to build with"

Founders Factory

URL: https://foundersfactory.com/
Stage & Verticals: Early-stage, consumer and enterprise ventures; co-founding and operational support.
Equity: £30-250k in addition to six months support from a dedicated team, in exchange for up to 7% equity
Chosen because: Backing from large corporate partners across industries, focus on helping startups scale through corporate partnerships. Strong industry expertise in key sectors like fintech, healthtech, retail. Access to corporate resources, data, distribution channels.
What the startups say: "Founders Factory's operational guidance helped us avoid early pitfalls and launch successfully. The connections and support from corporate partners gives Founders Factory startups a huge advantage in getting to scale quickly."

Intel Ignite

URL: https://intelignite.com
Stage & Verticals: Early-stage, deep tech ventures across industries (AI, IoT, robotics, etc.)
Equity: none
Chosen because: Focus on cutting-edge deep tech aligns with ambitious ventures tackling game-changing problems.
What startups say: "Intel Ignite's access to technical resources and industry experts was invaluable for accelerating our deep tech development.If you have a big vision, this is the accelerator for you."

LAUNCH Accelerator

URL: https://www.launch.co/
Stage & Verticals: Pre-Series A, high-growth ventures with significant traction; equity-based.
Equity: $100,000 cash for 6% of a startup
Chosen because: Focus on traction and scaling helps proven startups reach the next level quickly.
What the startups say: "LAUNCH's data-driven approach and focus on scaling helped us refine our business model and achieve explosive growth."

Seedcamp

URL: https://seedcamp.com/
Stage & Verticals: Pre-seed & seed stage startups across sectors
Equity: Up to £250k for 7-10% equity
Chosen because: One of the earliest and most active seed investors in London
What the startups say:: “Seedcamp has been foundational in getting MarketFinance off the ground and growing the team

Startupbootcamp

URL: https://www.startupbootcamp.org/
Stage & Verticals: Early stage startups in fintech, insurtech, IoT, smart city, cyber security sectors
Equity: Up to £20k for 8% equity
Chosen because: The world's largest network of accelerators backed by multiple corporations that help startups grow internationally.
What the startups say: "The access to mentors and potential Pilot customers is just incredible. We're now working with 3 of the Big 4 professional services firms in London"

Techstars London

URL: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/london:
Stage & Verticals: Seed-stage, industry-specific programs across various sectors; equity-based.
Equity: 6% in exchange for £20K until the company raises a priced equity financing of US $250,000 or more
Chosen because: Diverse industry-focused programs offer tailored support and connections for niche startups.
What the startups say: "Techstars' industry-specific program provided invaluable insights and connections that helped us gain traction in our niche market.

The top accelerators in London provide critical resources for early-stage founders. Those featured on this list are recognized for their excellence in mentoring, connections, expertise in key verticals like deep tech and fintech, and ability to help startups rapidly grow. For founders who choose the right accelerator for their startup's stage and vertical, it can make all the difference in successfully scaling.That’s how you build an empire 💪

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