Accelerator comparisons: YC, Techstars, speedrun, EF and more (2026)
9 head-to-head comparisons of 7 top programs, built from each program's official terms and deadlines (checked Oct 17, 2026). Each page gives a short answer, the implied valuation math and a side-by-side table.
All accelerator terms compared · Deal calculator · Fit quiz · Deadline calendar
Every comparison
| Matchup | Ranks higher | Better price on fixed stake | Closes first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y Combinator vs Techstars New York City | YC | YC | YC (Nov 2, 2026) |
| Y Combinator vs a16z speedrun | a16z speedrun | a16z speedrun | a16z speedrun (Nov 1, 2026) |
| Techstars New York City vs 500 Global Flagship Accelerator | 500 Global Flagship Accelerator | 500 Global Flagship Accelerator | Only Techstars New York City has an open date (Nov 18, 2026) |
| Y Combinator vs South Park Commons Founder Fellowship | South Park Commons Founder Fellowship | South Park Commons Founder Fellowship | Only YC has an open date (Nov 2, 2026) |
| Antler (Disrupt) vs Entrepreneur First | Entrepreneur First | Antler (Disrupt) | Only Entrepreneur First has an open date (Nov 2, 2026) |
| Y Combinator vs Entrepreneur First | Entrepreneur First | YC | Same day (Nov 2, 2026) |
| Y Combinator vs Antler (Disrupt) | YC | Antler (Disrupt) | Only YC has an open date (Nov 2, 2026) |
| a16z speedrun vs South Park Commons Founder Fellowship | a16z speedrun | South Park Commons Founder Fellowship | Only a16z speedrun has an open date (Nov 1, 2026) |
| Y Combinator vs 500 Global Flagship Accelerator | 500 Global Flagship Accelerator | 500 Global Flagship Accelerator | Only YC has an open date (Nov 2, 2026) |
The programs side by side
| # | Accelerator | Score | Fixed deal | Implied post-money | Deadline | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | a16z speedrun | 60 | $500,000 for 10% | $5,000,000 | Closes Nov 1, 2026 | vs YC · vs South Park Commons Founder Fellowship |
| 2 | South Park Commons Founder Fellowship | 54 | $400,000 for 7% | $5,714,286 | Closed – next TBA | vs YC · vs a16z speedrun |
| 3 | Entrepreneur First | 49 | $125,000 for 8% | $1,562,500 | Closes Nov 2, 2026 | vs Antler (Disrupt) · vs YC |
| 6 | 500 Global Flagship Accelerator | 40 | $150,000 for 6% | $2,500,000 | Closed – next TBA | vs Techstars New York City · vs YC |
| 8 | Y Combinator | 36 | $125,000 for 7% | $1,785,714 | Closes Nov 2, 2026 | vs Techstars New York City · vs a16z speedrun · vs South Park Commons Founder Fellowship · vs Entrepreneur First · vs Antler (Disrupt) · vs 500 Global Flagship Accelerator |
| 10 | Antler (Disrupt) | 35 | $250,000 for 10% | $2,500,000 | Not published | vs Entrepreneur First · vs YC |
| 11 | Techstars New York City | 32 | $20,000 for 5% | $400,000 | Closes Nov 18, 2026 | vs YC · vs 500 Global Flagship Accelerator |
Questions founders ask
Which of these accelerators ranks highest?
a16z speedrun ranks highest of the 7 programs compared here, with a BatchUp score of 60 (#1 of 12 ranked programs).
Which accelerator gives the best valuation?
Of the programs compared here, South Park Commons Founder Fellowship pays the most for its fixed stake: $400K for 7%, an implied $5.71M post-money. The lowest is Techstars New York City at $400K ($20K for 5%).
Which of these deadlines comes first?
Open dates as of our Oct 17, 2026 check: a16z speedrun closes Nov 1, 2026; Entrepreneur First closes Nov 2, 2026; YC closes Nov 2, 2026; Techstars New York City closes Nov 18, 2026.
Why compare implied valuation instead of the headline check?
The headline check often includes an uncapped MFN SAFE or follow-on money that converts later. Only the cash that buys the fixed stake sets the price you're giving, so that's what we use to compare deals.