6 the reason why you should not be part of an accelerator • TechCrunch

As the top of startup pipeline at Techstars, I’ve been getting on calls with founders, attending occasions, talking on phases like TechCrunch’s Disrupt and internet hosting numerous Twitter Areas. Every time, I’ve been telling founders why they need to be part of an accelerator.

Now, I’m altering issues up and going to put out six causes you shouldn’t be part of an accelerator.

In case you solely want funding

You’re higher off going to VCs, angel buyers, crowdfunding, making use of for grants or searching for enterprise debt. Accelerators often take extra (fairness), as a result of they supply extra than simply cash. They offer you funding and fundraising alternatives, mentorship and networks, workshops and often a spot to work. In case you don’t want any of that, then you definitely don’t want an accelerator.

Take into account that funding will resolve your cash issues, but it surely gained’t resolve every little thing else. You’ll nonetheless want to determine the right way to purchase clients, discover the perfect expertise, construct an unimaginable product, assemble an amazing advisory board and get to product-market match.

Do you simply want funding? Fortunate you. For crowdfunding, you possibly can’t go unsuitable with Republic or WeFunder. For enterprise debt choices, take a look at SVB or Mercury, and OpenGrants for, properly, grants.

To do buyer growth

Buyer growth, often known as buyer discovery or thought validation, is the notion of validating your startup thought. You don’t want an accelerator to let you know to speak to your clients. Try to be doing it anyway. In any other case, why are you constructing the factor you need to construct?

Sure, many accelerators settle for corporations on the thought stage, but it surely’s often on the premise that major or secondary analysis has been carried out to point out you’re constructing one thing individuals have mentioned they’d use and/or pay for.