Startup accelerators

How Do Startup Accelerators Work in the UK?

Wheatley Digital
6 min readJan 22, 2024

There’s a lot of information out there talking about startup accelerators globally, or in the US, but there seems to be a gap in knowledge for the UK. That’s why we’re here! If you’re a startup founder in Britain, then this article has everything you need to start your journey.

Startup accelerators began in 2005, when Silicon Valley’s Y Combinator backed the likes of Airbnb, Dropbox and Reddit. Fast forward to present day and a gentle swim across the pond, the UK has over 180 accelerator programmes, offering a growth vehicle for many ambitious startups and businesses.

What are Startup Accelerators?

A startup accelerator is a mentor-based program that offers guidance, support and limited funding in exchange for equity.

Startup Accelerators

Startup Accelerator vs Startup Incubator

Both startup accelerators and startup incubators offer offices or co-working spaces, networking opportunities, exclusive events and other services. So what’s the difference?

Startup accelerators also have the following traits:

  • The application process…

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