Playbook
How to apply for accelerators
Accelerators run fixed-length cohorts that offer funding, mentorship and a demo day, usually in exchange for equity. Reviewers read many applications per batch, so clarity about the problem, the team and progress so far decides most of them.
How these are won
- Say what the company does in one plain sentence at the top; if a reviewer can't repeat it, the rest is read less closely.
- Show progress with numbers you can verify (users, revenue, pilots, retention) and when they changed.
- Check the terms first: the equity taken, the amount invested and any relocation requirement are on the program's own page.
Materials checklist
- Pitch deckUpload yours, or let Onward Scout draft one from your profile for you to edit.
- Business planUpload yours, or let Onward Scout draft one from your profile for you to edit.
- Product demo videoOnly you can supply it: upload it once and it is attached wherever it is asked for.
A preparation timeline
Counted back from the deadline. Each program guide puts real dates on it.
- 21 days before the deadlineUpdate deck and numbersRefresh the deck, key metrics and the one-sentence description of the company.
- 14 days before the deadlineDraft the answersAnswer every question plainly, with numbers you can verify.
- 7 days before the deadlineRecord and reviewRecord the video if one is asked for, and have someone outside the team read the answers.
- 2 days before the deadlineSubmitSubmit early; some programs review applications as they arrive.
Questions you will meet, answered honestly
Describe what your company does in one sentence.
Who it is for and what it does for them, without adjectives. “Payroll software for restaurants with under 50 staff” beats “a revolutionary platform”.
Why now, and why your team?
Point to something that changed (a regulation, a technology, a cost) and to what each founder has done that fits the problem. Don't claim expertise you can't show.
How Onward Scout helps
Onward Scout maps the official form field by field, fills it from your sourced profile and drafts the written answers; you review and tap to submit. If the form stops at a CAPTCHA, a login or a payment, you get a handoff with every field ready to paste.
Open now
- Closing soon: 2 November 2026Y CombinatorY CombinatorThree-month in-person batch in San Francisco where each accepted startup is funded on YC's standard deal and works closely with a group partner before pitching investors…$500,000 investmentSan Francisco, United States · open to applicants worldwideDetails and how to apply
- Closing soon: 8 November 2026Cox Cleantech AcceleratorCox Enterprises (with gener8tor and the Georgia Cleantech Innovation Hub)Atlanta-based 12-week accelerator for pre-seed to seed climate and sustainability startups from anywhere: a $250K investment, coaching from 100+ entrepreneurs and…$250,000 investmentAtlanta, United States · open to applicants worldwideDetails and how to apply
- Closing soon: 10 November 2026Anzisha Fellowship (2027 intake)AnzishaA multi-year support programme for Africa's youngest entrepreneurs (aged 15–22) already running real businesses: selected fellows get funding, coaching and a platform to…multi-year fellowship programme · funding, coaching and a platform to lead (amounts not stated)Algeria, Angola, BeninDetails and how to apply
- Closing soon: 11 November 2026UNICEF Femtech Ventures — Funding Femtech Solutions (Second Edition)UNICEF Venture FundEquity-free investment of up to US$100,000 plus 12 months of technical mentorship and UNICEF network access for early- and growth-stage startups in UNICEF programme…Up to $100,000 investmentDetails and how to apply
- Apply by 18 November 2026Techstars Anywhere AcceleratorTechstarsRemote-first Techstars accelerator for companies in North American time zones, meeting at three in-person offsites in VC hubs instead of requiring relocation.remote-first program · three in-person offsitesUnited States, Canada, Mexico · remoteDetails and how to apply
- Apply by 18 November 2026Techstars Boston AcceleratorTechstarsIndustry-agnostic Boston accelerator with a focus on AI/ML, robotics, healthtech, tech bio and critical infrastructure, connecting founders with the local mentor and…mentorship from Boston ecosystem · investor accessBoston, United StatesDetails and how to apply
Let Onward Scout prepare your accelerators applications
Drop in the résumé, deck or portfolio you already have. Onward Scout builds a sourced profile, finds opportunities you can win and prepares each application for you to approve with a tap.
Nothing is submitted without your tap. Logins, CAPTCHAs, payments and interviews stay with you.