21 Best Startup Accelerators in San Francisco in 2025

San Francisco remains the epicenter of startup innovation, with accelerator programs playing a crucial role in nurturing early-stage companies. According to Crunchbase and PitchBook data, SF-based accelerators consistently help startups raise billions in follow-on funding, with Y Combinator alone helping their portfolio companies raise over $300B in total funding.

This comprehensive guide explores the best accelerator programs in San Francisco, their unique offerings, and how to maximize your chances of acceptance.

Quick Overview of Top Startup Accelerators in San Francisco

How to Get Accepted into Top SF Accelerators?

Securing a spot in prestigious San Francisco accelerators requires careful preparation and a strong pitch. Here are key strategies:

1. Perfect your pitch deck and ensure it tells a compelling story
2. Show clear traction and market validation
3. Demonstrate a strong founding team
4. Have a clear exit strategy and growth plan
5. Build a realistic financial model with runway projections

How? Share your pitch deck as a link not as an attachment and get insights if accelerators are interested

1. Get notified when accelerator partners view your deck
2. Track how long they were on each page of your deck
3. Capture emails of partners who viewed your deck
4. Protect your IP using watermark, screenshot protection and other link permissions
5. Securely send data room with multiple documents

Share deck via trackable link

How to Choose the Right Startup Accelerator in San Francisco?

Selecting the optimal accelerator program requires careful consideration of several factors:

• Program Focus: Match the accelerator's expertise with your startup's sector
• Investment Terms: Understand equity requirements and funding amounts
• Network Quality: Evaluate mentor networks and alumni success stories
• Program Resources: Consider workspace, technical support, and additional perks
• Demo Day Exposure: Research investor attendance and past funding success rates
• Post-Program Support: Look for ongoing resources and alumni network strength
• Location: Consider if the program is hybrid or requires full-time presence in SF

1. Y Combinator

The world's premier startup accelerator, Y Combinator has shaped the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem since 2005.

• Investment Terms: $500K ($125K for 7% + $375K on uncapped MFN SAFE)
• Program Length: 3 months
• Notable Alumni: Airbnb, Stripe, Coinbase, DoorDash
• Focus Areas: All sectors
• Success Metrics:
  • Combined valuation: $600B+
  • Companies funded: 3,000+
  • Exits: 150+
• Website: ycombinator.com

2. 500 Startups

500 Startups is a global venture capital firm with a strong focus on early-stage investments and accelerator programs.

• Investment Terms: $150K for 6% equity
• Program Length: 4 months
• Notable Alumni: Credit Karma, Canva, Grab
• Focus Areas: AI, SaaS, FinTech
• Success Metrics:
  • Portfolio companies: 2,500+
  • Total exits: 100+
  • Unicorns created: 35+
• Website: 500.co

3. Plug and Play

Leading innovation platform connecting startups with major corporations.

• Investment Terms: $100K-$500K
• Program Length: 3 months
• Notable Alumni: PayPal, Dropbox, LendingClub
• Focus Areas: FinTech, IoT, Health
• Success Metrics:
  • Annual investments: 250+
  • Corporate partners: 500+
  • Portfolio exits: 80+
• Website: plugandplaytechcenter.com

4. StartX

Stanford-affiliated non-profit accelerator known for deep tech and biotech startups.

• Investment Terms: No equity taken
• Program Length: 6 months
• Notable Alumni: Lime, Patreon, Kodiak Robotics
• Focus Areas: Deep Tech, Healthcare, Enterprise
• Success Metrics:
  • Portfolio value: $25B+
  • Companies funded: 700+
  • Success rate: 88%
• Website: startx.com

5. Alchemist Accelerator

Enterprise-focused accelerator backed by Cisco, Siemens, and other corporate partners.

• Investment Terms: $36K for 5% equity
• Program Length: 6 months
• Notable Alumni: LaunchDarkly, Rigetti Computing
• Focus Areas: Enterprise, B2B, SaaS
• Success Metrics:
  • Average seed round: $2M+
  • Portfolio companies: 500+
  • Funding rate: 82%
• Website: alchemistaccelerator.com

6. NFX

Prestigious accelerator focused on network effect businesses.

• Investment Terms: $2M investment
• Program Length: 5 months
• Notable Alumni: Lyft, Doordash, Patreon
• Focus Areas: Marketplaces, Networks, Fintech
• Success Metrics:
  • Portfolio value: $10B+
  • Companies funded: 150+
  • Follow-on funding rate: 90%
• Website: nfx.com

7. Techstars SF

Part of the global Techstars network, focusing on Bay Area innovation.

• Investment Terms: $120K ($20K for 6% + $100K convertible note)
• Program Length: 3 months
• Notable Alumni: SendGrid, DigitalOcean
• Focus Areas: AI/ML, SaaS, Consumer Tech
• Success Metrics:
  • Portfolio companies: 300+
  • Total funding raised: $2B+
  • Active mentors: 100+
• Website: techstars.com

8. HAX

Hardware and deep tech focused accelerator with split program between SF and Shenzhen.

• Investment Terms: $250K for 9% equity
• Program Length: 6 months
• Notable Alumni: Particle, NotCo
• Focus Areas: Hardware, IoT, Robotics
• Success Metrics:
  • Companies launched: 250+
  • Success rate: 75%
  • Patents filed: 1000+
• Website: hax.co

9. Founders Space

International accelerator with strong focus on AI and deep tech.

• Investment Terms: Varies ($50K-$500K)
• Program Length: 3 months
• Notable Alumni: Grab, Lily Robotics
• Focus Areas: AI, Blockchain, Deep Tech
• Success Metrics:
  • Global partners: 50+
  • Portfolio companies: 1000+
  • International reach: 22 countries
• Website: foundersspace.com

10. Berkeley SkyDeck

UC Berkeley's premier accelerator program combining academic and industry expertise.

• Investment Terms: $200K for 5% equity
• Program Length: 6 months
• Notable Alumni: Xendit, Symbio
• Focus Areas: Deep Tech, Life Sciences, AI
• Success Metrics:
  • Research integration: 100+ faculty
  • Follow-on funding: $1.7B+
  • Success rate: 85%
• Website: skydeck.berkeley.edu

11. Boost VC

Pioneer in crypto and sci-fi tech investments, known for backing moonshot ideas.

• Investment Terms: $500K for 7-15% equity
• Program Length: 3 months
• Notable Alumni: Etherscan, Coinbase
• Focus Areas: Crypto, Space Tech, Metaverse
• Success Metrics:
  • Portfolio value: $7B+
  • Companies funded: 300+
  • Crypto projects: 100+
• Website: boost.vc

12. Forum Ventures

Leading B2B SaaS accelerator and venture studio with a decade of experience building successful companies.

• Investment Terms: Varies by program (Studio, Accelerator, Pre-seed)
• Program Length: Varies by program
• Notable Alumni: Multiple B2B SaaS successes
• Focus Areas: B2B SaaS, AI
• Success Metrics:
  • Companies funded: 430+
  • Founder community: 1300+
  • Follow-on funding: $1B+
  • Years of experience: 10+
• Programs:
  • AI Studio: Building AI-first ventures
  • Accelerator: Early go-to-market support
  • Pre-seed Fund: Hands-on investment support
• Website: forumvc.com

13. IndieBio

Revolutionary biotech accelerator transforming science into ventures.

• Investment Terms: $525K for 11% equity
• Program Length: 4 months
• Notable Alumni: Memphis Meats, NotCo
• Focus Areas: Biotech, Synthetic Biology
• Success Metrics:
  • Total funding raised: $5B+
  • Patents generated: 500+
  • Scientific publications: 200+
• Website: indiebio.co

14. Founders Institute

World's largest pre-seed startup accelerator with strong SF presence.

• Investment Terms: Revenue share agreement
• Program Length: 4 months
• Notable Alumni: Udemy, Rover
• Focus Areas: All sectors
• Success Metrics:
  • Global graduates: 6000+
  • Total funding raised: $1.75B
  • Local chapters: 200+
• Website: fi.co

15. Matter.vc

HardTech venture capital fund focused on semiconductor and hardware innovation.

• Investment Terms: $125K for 7% equity
• Program Length: 5 months
• Notable Alumni: Lightforce
• Focus Areas: HardTech, Semiconductors, Hardware
• Success Metrics:
  • Fund size: $300M+
  • Portfolio companies: 150+
  • Corporate partners: TSMC and others
• Website: mattervp.com

16. Singularity University Ventures

Future-focused accelerator specializing in exponential technologies.

• Investment Terms: $100K for 5% equity
• Program Length: 3 months
• Notable Alumni: Diamond Age, Voxel8
• Focus Areas: AI, Robotics, Space Tech
• Success Metrics:
  • Technology patents: 300+
  • Global impact: 100+ countries
  • Research partnerships: 50+
• Website: su.org/ventures

17. Newchip Accelerator

Remote-first accelerator with strong SF presence.

• Investment Terms: No upfront investment
• Program Length: 6 months
• Notable Alumni: Stateless, PopCom
• Focus Areas: Tech, Consumer, Healthcare
• Success Metrics:
  • Companies accelerated: 2000+
  • Total funding raised: $450M+
  • Global reach: 35+ countries
• Website: newchip.com

18. Health Hub SF

Healthcare-focused accelerator partnering with UCSF and leading medical institutions.

• Investment Terms: $150K for 7% equity
• Program Length: 6 months
• Notable Alumni: Carbon Health, Forward
• Focus Areas: Digital Health, Biotech, Medical Devices
• Success Metrics:
  • Clinical partnerships: 75+
  • FDA approvals: 25+
  • Patient impact: 1M+
• Website: healthhubsf.org

19. Quantum Leap

Deep tech accelerator specializing in quantum computing and advanced technologies.

• Investment Terms: $300K for 8% equity
• Program Length: 6 months
• Notable Alumni: QC Ware, Rigetti
• Focus Areas: Quantum Computing, AI, Advanced Materials
• Success Metrics:
  • Research collaborations: 30+
  • Patents filed: 200+
  • Academic partnerships: 25+
• Website: quantumleap.vc

20. AI Ventures Lab

The go-to ecosystem for AI startups impacting the world through cloud-based AI innovation.

• Investment Terms: $400K for 9% equity
• Program Length: 5 months
• Notable Alumni: AI-focused startups across healthcare, retail, and financial services
• Focus Areas:
  • Machine Vision
  • Speech Recognition
  • Machine Learning
  • Expert Systems
  • NLP & Text
  • Planning & Optimization
  • Robotics & Vehicles
• Success Metrics:
  • AI Categories: 15+
  • Global reach: 32+ countries
  • Industries served: 124+
  • Startup database: 10,000+
• Website: aiventurelabs.com/home

21. Impact Accelerator

The startup accelerator made by top accelerators, global brands and VCs, offering a rigorous and delocalized acceleration experience.

• Investment Terms: Up to €100K equity free
• Program Length: 5 months
• Notable Alumni: Multiple successful startups across Europe
• Focus Areas:
  • Mobility
  • Connected Car
  • RobotUnion
  • Digital Innovation
• Program Benefits:
  • 40 hours mentoring
  • Networking & access to funding
  • 100% subsidized programs
  • Global mentor network
• Success Metrics:
  • Multiple programs across regions
  • Top-tier mentorship network
  • Strong corporate partnerships
  • Global startup portfolio
• Key Features:
  • Delocalized acceleration experience
  • Access to VC funding
  • Corporate innovation programs
  • International network
• Website: impact-accelerator.com

Preparing for Demo Day

Demo Day is crucial for securing follow-on funding. Here's how to maximize your success:

1. Perfect Your Pitch

   • Craft a compelling narrative
   • Focus on traction and growth metrics
   • Clearly articulate your competitive advantage

2. Prepare Your Materials

   • Create an investor-ready pitch deck
   • Develop a comprehensive data room
   • Prepare detailed financial projections

3. Practice and Refine

   • Rehearse with mentors and peers
   • Record and analyze your presentation
   • Prepare for common investor questions

Track Your Application Progress

Monitor accelerator partner engagement with your application materials:

1. Get notified when partners review your deck
2. Track engagement metrics
3. Follow up strategically
4. Protect sensitive information

Share your pitch deck securely

Conclusion: Choosing the Right SF Accelerator in 2025

San Francisco's accelerator ecosystem continues to evolve, offering unprecedented opportunities for startups across sectors. The key to success lies in choosing the right program that aligns with your startup's goals and stage of development. Whether you're building the next AI unicorn or disrupting traditional industries, SF's accelerators provide the perfect launchpad for ambitious founders.

Remember that acceptance rates at top programs can be as low as 1-2%, making it crucial to prepare thoroughly and present your startup in the best possible light. Use secure pitch deck sharing tools to track engagement and protect your intellectual property during the application process.

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