Before the Accelerator (YC)

Are accelerators worth it and how to evaluate them

A talk by Michael Seibel (CEO @ Y Combinator) on how to evaluate Accelerators and their purpose!

TL;DR

• Accelerators are not required for success

• Most startup services you use every day have not gone through an accelerator

• 3000 accelerators have been launched in the last 15 years, most of them have never worked with a successful company - Worth getting their advice giving out equity?

• Reality of YC: After 15 years, only a very few companies have gone really big

• Talk to the accelerator alumni before giving away 7-10% equity

• Getting the pitch from those who run the accelerator or the alumnis?

• University is NOT THE SAME as an accelerator