Startup accelerators and incubators in India.
Our directory lists 730+ startup programmes in India. That is 320+ accelerators and 410+ incubators.
Where they are based
Stages they take
Sectors they back
What an accelerator, an incubator and a venture studio are
An accelerator
An accelerator takes a group of startups at once. This group is called a cohort.
It runs for a set period, often a few months. It ends with a demo day for investors.
You get mentors, workshops and introductions. Many also invest a small cheque.
In return, most take a small share of your company.
An incubator
An incubator gives an early team a place to build. It suits an idea or a first prototype.
Universities, research institutes, state bodies and companies run them.
Expect a desk or a lab, mentors and help with grants. The stay is longer and looser.
Some take no equity. Others take a small stake or charge a fee.
A venture studio
A venture studio builds startups of its own. It picks the idea and funds the first team.
Founders often join once the idea is chosen. Some studios also back outside founders.
The studio does much of the early work. So it usually keeps a larger stake.
How they differ
- Stage. Incubators take ideas and early teams. Accelerators want a first product. Studios start from their own idea.
- Format. Accelerators run cohorts with a set start and end. Incubators often take teams through the year.
- Money. Accelerators often invest a small sum. Incubators often help you win grants. Studios fund the company from the start.
- Equity. Accelerators and studios usually take a stake. Some incubators take none.
- Your role. In an accelerator or incubator you bring the company. In a studio you may join one.
How to choose one
- Start with your stage. An idea fits an incubator. A product with users fits an accelerator.
- Check what they back. Look at their sectors and the startups they took before.
- Read the terms early. Ask what share they take, and for what.
- Talk to founders who went through it. Ask what changed for them.
- Look at the mentors. Ask who comes to demo day.
- Check where it runs. Some ask you to work from their city.
- Count the time it costs. Sessions and reviews take founder hours.
How to apply with your answers ready
Each programme asks its own questions. Prepare my answers fills them in from your details.
- Sign up free.
- Open Investors and pick the Accelerators tab.
- Turn on India only. Add your sector and stage.
- Pick a programme and press Prepare my answers.
- We fill its questions from your ShunyaSe details. Copy each answer into its form.
- Nothing is submitted for you. You press Submit on the programme’s own site.
Signed in already? The link goes straight there.