It is a tricky task for startups to raise funding.
Editor’s note: Make sure to bookmark this page to follow the latest startup accelerator programs deadlines as we keep updating the list.
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Luckily, more emerging startup initiatives in Europe aim to promote entrepreneurship and nurture more successful company founders on the European continent.
According to the research conducted by CB Insights, funding (or running out of funds) is the second most common reason why startups fail.
Thus, it is critical for startup founders to raise funds. But how?
One of the proven ways to do so is by joining a startup accelerator program.
What are startup accelerator programs?
A startup accelerator program is an intensive business and personal development initiative that supports a small team of founders, typically working on their own business ideas.
The support provided includes mentorship, affordable office spaces, and some initial capital.
In a nutshell, a program consists of the following core elements:
- A highly competitive application process open to all.
- A provision of pre-seed investment, normally in exchange for a single-digit equity stake.
- A focus on small teams rather than individual founders.
- Time-limited support comprised of programmed events and intensive mentorship.
- A final event – “A demo day” – is when startups pitch their ideas to raise a bigger pot of funding to continue growing their business.
At the same time, it is important to realize that startup accelerators are ultimately investment management companies. Such companies are also known as venture capital firms (or VCs).
They seek out the most promising early-stage companies and invest in them.
However, they expect companies to raise the next rounds of funding and ultimately (and hopefully) achieve an exit. Founders can do this either through acquisitions or Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).
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Best startup accelerator programs in Europe
Our team at AlphaGamma has compiled a list of the most prominent accelerator programs based in Europe. So you can keep up with the latest program deadlines in one place.
To save you time, we keep adding new programs and refreshing the deadlines whenever possible.
Here are the best startup accelerator programs in Europe sorted in alphabetical order:
| Program | Location | The offer | Duration | Upcoming deadline* |
| Accelerace | København, Denmark | Investments up to 500 000 DKK + corporate matchmaking | 5 Months | Rolling basis |
| Antler Amsterdam | Amsterdam, the Netherlands | € 100,000 for 10% equity + monthly allowance for the duration of the program | 6 Months | Rolling basis |
| Antler London | London, UK | £ 100,000 for 10% equity + monthly allowance for the duration of the program | 6 Months | Rolling basis |
| Antler Oslo | Oslo, Norway | NOK 1M for 10% equity + monthly allowance for the duration of the program | 6 Months | Rolling basis |
| Antler Stockholm | Stockholm, Sweden | SEK 1M for 10% equity; monthly allowance of € 2,500 |
6 Months | Rolling basis |
| APX | Berlin, Germany |
€ 50,000 for 5% equity | 3 Months | Rolling basis |
| Barclays Accelerator | London, UK |
up to $ 120,000 as an investment |
13 Weeks | Rolling basis |
| Bethnal Green Ventures | London, UK |
£ 60,000 as an investment | 6 Weeks | Rolling basis |
| Birdhouse | Antwerp, Belgium | Up to € 100K in funding; mentoring, coaching & access to additional investors | 4 Months | Rolling basis |
| Distill Ventures | London, UK |
£ 150,000 | 6 Months | Rolling basis |
| Entrepreneur First | London, UK |
£ 15,000 + monthly allowance for 8% equity | 6 Months | March 2025, Application open soon |
| EWOR Fellowships | Remote; Europe Focus | Up to € 150,000 investment, 0 – 2% education fee, mentoring & coaching | 6-10 Months | Rolling basis |
| Microsoft Accelerator | Berlin, Germany |
Mentoring & coaching | up to 6 Months | Rolling basis |
| NDRC | Dublin, Ireland | up to € 130,000 |
12 to 24 Weeks | Will reopen soon |
| PANDO Ventures | Frankfurt, Germany | Mentoring, coaching & access to investors | 12 Weeks | Rolling basis |
| Rockstart AgriFood | Copenhagen, Denmark; Amsterdam, the Netherlands and online | €100,000 convertible loan from the fund, €65,000 (i.e. net cash proceeds to your company of €35,000) | 5 Months | Rolling basis |
| Rockstart Energy | Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and online | €100,000 convertible loan from the fund, €65k (i.e. net cash proceeds to your company of €35,000) | 5 Months | Rolling basis |
| Seedstars Accelerator | Carouge, Geneva | Coaching, mentoring & access to investors | 3-6 Months | Rolling basis |
| Startup Reykjavik | Reykjavik, Iceland | $ 23,500 | 10 Weeks | Will reopen soon |
| Startup Wise Guys | Tallinn, Estonia; Milan and Cosenza, Italy; Copenhagen, Denmark; Riga, Latvia; Vilnius, Lithuania |
€ 50,000 on average | 5 Months | Rolling basis |
| Startupbootcamp | London; Amsterdam, and online | € 15,000 for 8% equity | 3 Months | Rolling basis |
| Sting Accelerate | Stockholm, Sweden | 500K SEK investment, coaching & mentoring | 4 months | Will reopen soon |
| Techstars London | London, UK |
$ 20,000 for 6% equity + $100,000 convertible note | 3 Months | November 20, 2024 |
| Yunus Social Business Accelerator | Europe | up to € 500,000 |
4 Months | Rolling basis |
* Deadlines are subject to change, so make sure to check the official websites for the latest updates
What is the difference between a startup accelerator and a business incubator?
It is easy to get lost in various startup definitions that intuitively are synonymous. But in fact, they are not.
The following definitions will help you navigate the startup ecosystems and identify which programs are suited to your current development stage.
Workspace
A workspace is an office location that provides desks, office space, and infrastructure at a significantly reduced or discounted rate for startups and growing businesses.
Generally, you can expect to have access to standard business amenities, with conditions ranging from very basic to more refined setups.
Workspaces can be offered as standalone locations or as part of a larger network (e.g., startup accelerator or business incubator). Desks are usually charged at a monthly rate, with discounts available for advance payments.
Startup Weekends
These events typically last between 48 to 72 hours and aim to form new startup teams. These teams then develop business ideas within the given time limit.
Participants can either be individuals with no initial connections, or existing teams joining to fast-track their ideas.
Such events also have flexible agendas. Some invite budding or active founders working on defined business ideas, while others encourage individuals to come up with new business ideas on the spot.
Some of these events charge a small participation fee. Yet you’re not obliged to continue working on your business ideas after the weekend.
Startup Accelerator
Startup accelerators are profit-driven programs that invite small founding teams and form ‘cohorts’ of new cohorts.
The program organizers expect founders to show some traction with their businesses: a fully functioning prototype, early user feedback, and their first paying customers. However, some programs accept founders even with just business ideas.
Startup accelerators provide seed capital, mentorship, and structured events over a period of time – generally 3 to 4 months – in return for an equity stake, which varies between 5-10%.
At the end of the program, startups “graduate” by pitching their ideas at a demo day to a panel of experts and investors, often securing their first significant investment.
Business Incubator
These organizations actively support the growth of startups by offering resources, services, and connections through a team of experts.
There are two types of incubators. In one, the incubator develops an idea and hands it over to an external team to eventually run it. In the other, participants come up with their own ideas, similar to workspaces.
In the first case, the incubator asks for an equity stake in the company in exchange for their services. In the second model, entrepreneurs may pay a monthly fee to utilize the incubator’s resources.
Have you participated in any of these startup accelerator programs before? Or maybe you have joined others that are not listed here? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Have a program to suggest? Let me know in the comments below or share it with us via the contact form.
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