Guides
How accelerator terms actually work, in plain English. Every guide teaches the general mechanics with worked, hypothetical numbers, and links the live programs rather than restating their figures.
How much equity do accelerators take?
Updated Aug 26, 2026Why there is no single equity number for accelerators, and how the stake depends on the funding model a program uses.
Techstars terms explained
Updated Aug 26, 2026A plain-English breakdown of Techstars' published standard investment terms, piece by piece, with worked dilution math at three hypothetical valuations.
The accelerator terms companion: every clause, in plain English
Updated Jul 22, 2026A narrative companion to the glossary that reads the terms sheet clause by clause.
Application timeline planning: working backward from the deadline
Updated Jul 22, 2026A practical planner for lining up applications, references, and materials so a deadline never surprises you.
Corporate accelerators and pilot programs: when the program is really a customer
Updated Jul 22, 2026How league, media, and corporate pilot programs differ from cash accelerators, what they actually pay you in, and the questions to ask before trading equity for access.
Sports, Media & GamingDo you even need an accelerator?
Updated Jul 22, 2026An honest look at when an accelerator helps, when it does not, and what to do instead if the answer is no.
The fintech accelerator landscape
Updated Jul 22, 2026How fintech and insurtech programs differ on compliance support, bank partnerships, and the terms they ask for.
FinTech & InsurTechHow to choose a healthtech accelerator
Updated Jul 22, 2026A decision guide for health and medtech founders weighing clinical validation, regulatory support, and payer access against equity.
HealthTech & MedTechNon-dilutive funding for agtech and foodtech startups
Updated Jul 22, 2026Grants, federal R&D money, and farmer-partnership programs that fund agtech and foodtech startups without taking equity, and the eligibility traps to check first.
AgTech & FoodTechNon-dilutive funding for climate startups
Updated Jul 22, 2026Grants, prizes, and programs that fund climate and energy startups without taking equity, and how to stack them.
Climate & EnergyWhat 5 percent common stock actually costs
Updated Jul 22, 2026Translating a small-sounding equity number into real dollars across a range of exit outcomes.
Equity vs non-dilutive accelerators: a decision framework
Updated Jul 21, 2026How to weigh an accelerator that buys equity against one that gives non-dilutive money, with a cap-table walkthrough at three exit sizes.
How accelerator SAFEs work: caps, discounts, and MFN clauses
Updated Jul 19, 2026A plain-English walkthrough of the SAFE terms accelerators use, with a worked example of how an MFN clause converts at a later round's terms.
SBIR and STTR for defense founders: how the phases actually work
Updated Jul 17, 2026Phase I, II, and III mechanics, open versus conventional topics, how AFWERX and SpaceWERX style pipelines run, and an honest look at timelines.
Defense & Space
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