6 the explanation why you should not be a part of an accelerator • TechCrunch

As the pinnacle of startup pipeline at Techstars, I’ve been getting on calls with founders, attending occasions, talking on phases like TechCrunch’s Disrupt and internet hosting numerous Twitter Areas. Every time, I’ve been telling founders why they need to be a part of an accelerator.

Now, I’m altering issues up and going to put out six causes you shouldn’t be a part of an accelerator.

Should you solely want funding

You’re higher off going to VCs, angel buyers, crowdfunding, making use of for grants or in search of enterprise debt. Accelerators normally take extra (fairness), as a result of they supply extra than simply cash. They provide you funding and fundraising alternatives, mentorship and networks, workshops and normally a spot to work. Should you don’t want any of that, then you definately don’t want an accelerator.

Remember that funding will resolve your cash issues, however it gained’t resolve every little thing else. You’ll nonetheless want to determine how one can purchase prospects, discover the most effective expertise, construct an unimaginable product, assemble an excellent advisory board and get to product-market match.

Do you simply want funding? Fortunate you. For crowdfunding, you may’t go unsuitable with Republic or WeFunder. For enterprise debt choices, try SVB or Mercury, and OpenGrants for, nicely, grants.

To do buyer improvement

Buyer improvement, also called buyer discovery or thought validation, is the notion of validating your startup thought. You don’t want an accelerator to inform you to speak to your prospects. You have to be doing it anyway. In any other case, why are you constructing the factor you wish to construct?

Sure, many accelerators settle for firms on the thought stage, however it’s normally on the premise that main or secondary analysis has been carried out to point out you’re constructing one thing folks have stated they might use and/or pay for.