Accelerator

An accelerator is a structured programme — typically three to six months — that takes a batch of startups and rapidly prepares them for a defined milestone, most commonly a seed or Series A funding round. The programme combines mentorship, workshops, access to investor networks, and peer pressure from cohort peers to compress learning that would otherwise take years.

The equity exchange is the defining economic feature of most private accelerators. In return for the programme, the accelerator takes a small percentage of the company — commonly in the range of 3–10% — often structured through a SAFE note or convertible instrument. Government-run accelerators in India frequently waive this equity requirement and instead offer grant capital.

Demo day is the culmination of most accelerator programmes. Startups present to a curated audience of investors, and a strong demo day can generate multiple term sheet conversations simultaneously — compressing what would otherwise be months of investor outreach into a single event.

In the Indian ecosystem, accelerators range from global programmes with Indian cohorts to domestic programmes run by corporations (often as part of CSR or strategic innovation mandates), state governments, and standalone investor-backed entities. NASSCOM, IAN, and various sector-specific bodies all run accelerator initiatives. The quality of the mentor and investor network, rather than the brand name, is the most reliable signal of programme value for a founder deciding whether to apply.