Y Combinator at a glance

Understand YC’s $500K offer before picking an alternative

YC now wires $500K on day one: $125K on a post-money SAFE for 7% equity plus a $375K uncapped MFN SAFE that mirrors the best terms you cut until your next priced round. Batches run twice per year, expect weekly partner meetings, group office hours, and Demo Day exposure to thousands of investors. The program is remote-first with Bay Area touchpoints and expects full-time founding teams.

Duration: 12-week core program with onboarding + Demo Day
Capital: $500k total — $125k post-money SAFE for 7% equity plus a $375k uncapped MFN SAFE that mirrors your next-round terms
Format: Hybrid batches twice per year with remote programming and optional Bay Area meetups
Expectations: Requires full-time founding teams; partners lean on metrics, week-by-week updates, and mandatory office hours culminating in Demo Day.

The 20 programs below either match YC’s check size, take zero equity, or specialize in sectors (AI, biotech, hardware) where YC’s breadth can feel generic. Use them to benchmark terms before committing to a batch.

$268K

Average initial check

Median equity ask

3 programs

Zero-equity options

6 programs

Follow-on guarantees

How to benchmark an accelerator offer

Capital vs. dilution

YC, Techstars, HF0, and South Park Commons cluster around $400K–$1M. Equity-free models like MassChallenge, Plug and Play, and StartX preserve ownership but rely on competitions or pilots instead of guaranteed funding.

Stage fit

Pre-idea builders gravitate toward Entrepreneur First, Antler, SPC, or Founders Inc. Product-ready teams often prefer 500 Global, LAUNCH, or ERA where traction thresholds are explicit.

Sector focus

IndieBio and HAX bundle lab or fabrication resources into their checks, while AI2 Incubator and Outlier Ventures combine capital with compute or token engineering.

Geography & network

YC’s brand is global, but you may want Berkeley SkyDeck for UC access, StartX for Stanford roots, ERA for NYC buyers, or Plug and Play for corporate pilots across 17+ industries.

20 vetted alternatives

Back to Opportunity Radar

Mentor-driven programs in 50+ cities

TechstarsVisit Techstars

Investment & perks: $220k total ($20k for 5% common + $200k uncapped MFN SAFE)
Equity structure: 5% immediate ownership plus whatever the SAFE converts into at your next priced round; no program fees.
Format & cadence: 13-week sprints with daily mentor meetings, corporate partner access, and lifetime network membership.
Best if you need: Teams that want YC-level capital but prefer local cohorts or industry-specific tracks (fintech, space, climate).

Flagship Seed Program, Palo Alto

500 GlobalVisit 500 Global

Investment & perks: $150k SAFE for ~6% (net $112.5k after the $37.5k program fee)
Equity structure: Standard post-money SAFE with pro-rata rights plus growth marketing bootcamps.
Format & cadence: 4-month residency emphasizing distribution hacks, hands-on fundraising prep, and a global mentor bench.
Best if you need: Founders who need intense growth coaching and don’t mind a tuition-style fee deducted from the check.

Zero-equity global accelerators

MassChallengeVisit MassChallenge

Investment & perks: No upfront capital; compete for six-figure equity-free cash awards and corporate pilots.
Equity structure: Keep 100% ownership — the nonprofit simply provides curriculum, mentors, and prize pools.
Format & cadence: Hybrid four-month tracks across healthcare, finance, climate, security, and food with showcase weeks.
Best if you need: Companies that want enterprise intros and visibility without giving up cap table real estate.

Day-zero residencies + pre-seed checks

AntlerVisit Antler

Investment & perks: Typical £210k package (£125k for ~8.5% plus £85k on a note) with up to £330k pre-committed follow-on (UK terms).
Equity structure: Initial stake purchased immediately, with structured follow-on reserved for the next round.
Format & cadence: Six-week team formation sprint followed by rapid validation, then investment decisions and a global demo platform.
Best if you need: Solo operators or new duos that want help finding a cofounder and a meaningful seed lead outside the US.

Residency for individuals before the idea

Entrepreneur FirstVisit Entrepreneur First

Investment & perks: $125k SAFE for 8% plus an optional $125k uncapped MFN SAFE when you relocate to San Francisco and incorporate in Delaware.
Equity structure: Equity only triggers once you form a company; grants cover exploration time for those still ideating.
Format & cadence: Two-phase journey: FORM (team + concept) and LAUNCH (company building + private Demo Day).
Best if you need: Technical talent who want structured cofounder matching and capital the moment they commit full-time.

Biotech builder with wet-lab access

IndieBio (SOSV)Visit IndieBio (SOSV)

Investment & perks: $525k early capital split between cash and in-kind lab resources, with SOSV reserving follow-on dollars.
Equity structure: SOSV targets ~10% long-term ownership, aligning their stake with major future rounds.
Format & cadence: Four-month on-site program in SF or NYC with 24/7 lab access, FDA/regulatory mentorship, and investor showcases.
Best if you need: Deep tech and synbio teams that need bench space, CRO-style support, and a fund committed to later rounds.

Hard-tech residency for hardware + robotics

HAX (SOSV)Visit HAX (SOSV)

Investment & perks: $250k initial package (cash plus in-kind engineering support) with up to $3M follow-on potential.
Equity structure: Equity exchanged up front; SOSV often takes observer seats to stay close to manufacturing milestones.
Format & cadence: 180-day program across Newark, Shenzhen, and Tokyo with fabrication labs, supply-chain experts, and demo tours.
Best if you need: Hardware founders who need DFM help, manufacturing partners, and investors comfortable with capex-heavy roadmaps.

Corporate-driven pilots without equity

Plug and Play Tech CenterVisit Plug and Play Tech Center

Investment & perks: Variable — most batches provide perks, customer pilots, and optional VC follow-on without taking ownership.
Equity structure: Core accelerator tracks are equity-free; Plug and Play may invest separately in later rounds.
Format & cadence: 12-week vertical tracks (fintech, health, mobility, supply chain, etc.) culminating in corporate dealflow expos.
Best if you need: Scale-ready startups courting Fortune 500 partnerships more than seed capital.

UC-backed accelerator with $200k checks

Berkeley SkyDeckVisit Berkeley SkyDeck

Investment & perks: $200k investment from the SkyDeck Fund for roughly 7.5% equity plus optional follow-on rights.
Equity structure: Standard SAFE terms paired with a profit-sharing model that funnels returns back to UC Berkeley.
Format & cadence: Six-month BAM program featuring Key Advisors, chip/aerospace/climate tracks, and a 600+ investor Demo Day.
Best if you need: Founders who want Bay Area positioning, university research ties, and a structured six-month runway.

Stanford founder community, zero equity

StartXVisit StartX

Investment & perks: Program itself is equity- and fee-free; StartX Fund can co-invest alongside top-tier rounds when invited.
Equity structure: No automatic dilution — the ethos is community-driven support and optional follow-on capital.
Format & cadence: Cohort-based accelerator with continual alumni access, resident doctors, and campus-grade resources.
Best if you need: Stanford-affiliated teams seeking long-term peer support without changing their cap table.

Enterprise GTM bootcamp

Alchemist AcceleratorVisit Alchemist Accelerator

Investment & perks: Average $25k seed investment (net of tuition offset) for roughly 5% ownership.
Equity structure: Flexible terms for later-stage entrants, but most companies grant a single-digit stake tied to the cash advance.
Format & cadence: Six-month curriculum laser-focused on B2B sales, procurement cycles, and corporate design partners.
Best if you need: Deep enterprise founders who need help converting pilots into seven-figure contracts.

Jason Calacanis’s 14-week sprint

LAUNCH AcceleratorVisit LAUNCH Accelerator

Investment & perks: $125k for 7% equity with potential syndicate follow-on through TheSyndicate.com.
Equity structure: Standard deal closed on entry; LAUNCH often re-ups via its fund as you raise seed and Series A.
Format & cadence: Weekly investor meetings, pitch practice across 200+ sessions, and distributed cohorts with SF meetups.
Best if you need: Post-revenue startups seeking a concentrated investor roadshow and media exposure.

Community + capital at Fort Mason

Founders IncVisit Founders Inc

Investment & perks: Up to $150k for 5–10% equity, with campus access, credits, and frequent build weeks.
Equity structure: Checks are milestone-based; smaller initial stakes can scale if the team keeps building within the lab ecosystem.
Format & cadence: Rolling admission, hackathons, and themed residencies (AI, biotech, climate) instead of fixed cohorts.
Best if you need: Builders who thrive in hacker-house environments and want ongoing micro-grants tied to progress.

Live-in ‘hacker monastery’

HF0 ResidencyVisit HF0 Residency

Investment & perks: $1M uncapped MFN SAFE for 5% (or $500k for 3%) across a 12-week residency.
Equity structure: Equity converts via SAFE terms identical to your next round, keeping dilution tied to market pricing.
Format & cadence: Founders live on-site, removing all distractions while mentors push weekly product and fundraising goals.
Best if you need: Serial builders ready to ship v1 in 90 days and who value intense, co-living accountability.

-1 to 0 fellowship with patient capital

South Park CommonsVisit South Park Commons

Investment & perks: $400k for 7% upfront plus a guaranteed $600k follow-on once you raise an external round.
Equity structure: Two-stage structure: modest initial dilution, then automatic participation in your next priced round.
Format & cadence: Small cohorts, no fixed demo day, and deep partner time across SF, NYC, and Bengaluru hubs.
Best if you need: Exploratory founders who want time to find founder-market fit before sprinting toward PMF.

Boutique pre-seed accelerator

PearX (Pear VC)Visit PearX (Pear VC)

Investment & perks: $250k–$2M via SAFE (terms customized per team) plus $1M+ in cloud credits.
Equity structure: Ownership varies with check size; Pear often leads the round and supports future raises.
Format & cadence: 12-week in-person program at Pear Studio with hiring help, customer development, and partner-led workshops.
Best if you need: Technical founding teams that want a concentrated pre-seed lead and help scaling the first sales motion.

Applied AI company studio

AI2 IncubatorVisit AI2 Incubator

Investment & perks: Up to $500k staged — $50k–$150k upfront (solo vs. team) with the rest unlocked as you hit traction milestones.
Equity structure: Structured as SAFEs (often capped around $10M) plus massive non-dilutive compute credits.
Format & cadence: 12–18 month engagement with co-founder matching, product squads, and AI House resources in Seattle.
Best if you need: AI-native teams that need research-grade mentorship, compute, and a partner willing to stay involved post-Demo Day.

Investor-advisor collective in Berkeley

The BatcheryVisit The Batchery

Investment & perks: Membership includes workspace, mentor access, and a 4.5% warrant executed at your first priced round.
Equity structure: Rather than cash-on-day-one, Batchery advisors earn the right to buy shares later, aligning incentives with traction.
Format & cadence: Rolling admission with pragmatic AI programming, investor readiness scoring, and tailored support services.
Best if you need: Founders who want a flexible, community-driven incubator with light-touch dilution until they raise institutional capital.

NYC’s longest-running accelerator

Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA)Visit Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA)

Investment & perks: $150k post-money SAFE for 6% equity plus access to ERA’s follow-on fund.
Equity structure: Simple, transparent SAFE that mirrors coastal norms and unlocks future participation rights.
Format & cadence: Four-month Manhattan cohort featuring domain-specific mentors, corporate pilots, and curated investor salons.
Best if you need: Founders targeting US East Coast markets or regulated industries that benefit from ERA’s NYC network.

Web3 + AI accelerator

Outlier Ventures Base CampVisit Outlier Ventures Base Camp

Investment & perks: Up to $100k stipend plus access to $200k follow-on, in exchange for 6% equity and 6% future token supply.
Equity structure: Dual exposure (equity + token) lets Outlier fund both your company and protocol economics.
Format & cadence: 12-week fully remote cohorts with token engineering, legal structuring, and BD support, followed by fundraising help.
Best if you need: DePIN, agentic AI, or RWA teams that need tokenomics expertise alongside traditional venture prep.