Y Combinator is a startup accelerator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2005. It has pioneered a new funding model for early-stage startups by investing a modest amount of capital, typically around $150,000, in a large number of companies twice a year. Over a three-month program, Y Combinator collaborates closely with these startups to prepare them for investor pitches and enhance their business strategies. Each funding cycle concludes with Demo Day, where startups present to an exclusive audience of investors. Y Combinator focuses on various sectors, including business software, education, healthcare, and financial technology, among others. In addition to initial funding, it offers ongoing support through its extensive alumni network. Since its inception, Y Combinator has funded over 630 startups, contributing significantly to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Techstars Central LLC, founded in 2006 and based in Boulder, Colorado, operates as a startup accelerator and venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage technology-oriented companies. It specializes in a mentorship-driven accelerator program, selecting ten startups each summer to participate in a three-month incubation period, offering funding of $120,000 in exchange for equity. Techstars invests primarily in sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, and IoT, while avoiding investments in medical devices, healthcare technology, and local service-oriented businesses. In addition to its primary accelerator, Techstars has various specialized programs, including those focused on music, retail, mobility, and social impact, with global reach extending to regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The firm prefers taking minority stakes, typically between six and ten percent, without seeking board representation or investor rights. Techstars has built a robust network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and corporate partners to foster innovation and growth within its portfolio, which includes over 1,000 companies with a significant collective market capitalization.

Antler is a global early-stage venture capital firm founded in Singapore in 2017, focused on investing in technology companies with significant growth potential. With a presence across six continents and major entrepreneurial hubs such as London, New York, Singapore, and Sydney, Antler has supported the establishment of over 200 startups, 40% of which have at least one female co-founder. The firm identifies exceptional individuals and early-stage businesses, providing comprehensive support from team formation and business model validation to capital investment. Antler invests primarily at the pre-seed stage and continues to engage with its portfolio companies through subsequent funding rounds, including Series C. The firm operates several funds, including those targeting specific regions like East Africa, while maintaining a commitment to fostering diverse founding teams representing 70 nationalities. Through its global platform, Antler aims to help founders build impactful startups that can define the future of technology.

Plug and Play, founded in 2006 and based in Sunnyvale, California, operates as a business accelerator and venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage and seed investments in technology startups. The firm runs 12 industry-specific accelerator programs annually, connecting startups with corporate partners and investors to foster collaboration and growth. Plug and Play's investment strategy encompasses a wide range of sectors, including fintech, health and wellness, travel, cybersecurity, and sustainability, allowing it to support diverse startups from any country. The firm provides various resources, including funding, mentorship, office space, and networking opportunities, and has a global presence with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Plug and Play has a strong track record, having helped numerous startups secure over $9 billion in funding since its inception. Its programs aim to refine business models and facilitate introductions to potential investors, ultimately contributing to the growth of the startup ecosystem.

FasterCapital is a virtual incubator based in Dubai. We help early stage startups by becoming their technical cofounder and building the whole product from A to Z. We also invest 50% of the money they need in the technical development. FasterCapital was established in 2010. We

Startup Wise Guys is a prominent early-stage investor based in Tallinn, Estonia, recognized as one of the leading venture capital funds in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region and the Nordics. Since its inception in 2012, it has operated a renowned startup accelerator that has supported over 165 startups, primarily in sectors such as B2B SaaS, Fintech, and Cybersecurity. The intensive three-month program aims to validate, develop, and market products to business clients, benefiting from the guidance of more than 200 mentors. The accelerator culminates in Demo Days and attendance at major tech events, providing startups the opportunity to pitch to investors. With a startup survival and success rate exceeding 77%, the program has facilitated two major exits and fosters a robust alumni network of over 145 startups across more than 40 countries. Additionally, Startup Wise Guys manages specific funds targeting investments in various sectors, including technology and clean tech, with a focus on early-stage ventures.

Outlier Ventures is a London-based venture platform founded in 2013 that focuses on investing in early-stage startups developing transformative technologies, particularly in the blockchain, AI, and IoT sectors. As a pioneer in blockchain investment in Europe, the firm has cultivated a robust investment thesis centered on the convergence of decentralized technologies with advancements in various fields, aiming to establish a new decentralized data infrastructure that supports the evolution of Web 3.0. Outlier Ventures not only provides financial backing but also offers extensive support through its Base Camp program, which serves as an incubation and acceleration platform for pre-seed projects, providing resources such as office space, legal assistance, and operational support. The firm has a dedicated team of specialists and operates globally, investing in a diverse range of sectors including gaming, NFTs, decentralized finance, and middleware.

500 Global, formerly known as 500 Startups, is a venture capital firm and incubator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in seed investments, primarily focusing on early-stage technology and financial services startups across various sectors, including biotech, e-commerce, fintech, and digital healthcare. 500 Global operates a four-month accelerator program, where it typically invests between $0.05 million and $1 million for a 5 to 10 percent equity stake in companies with at least $100,000 in monthly revenue. The firm targets a global market, with particular emphasis on regions such as the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Since its inception, it has invested in over 2,200 startups and supports the growth of innovation ecosystems through educational programs and partnerships. 500 Global also prioritizes investments in companies led by minority founders, reflecting its commitment to diverse entrepreneurial leadership.

FJ Labs is a U.S.-based investment firm established in 2015 by Fabrice Grinda. The firm operates with a stage-agnostic approach, primarily targeting marketplaces and consumer-facing startups. FJ Labs focuses its investments on seed and Series A rounds, with a financial commitment ranging from $50,000 to $5,000,000. The firm has invested in a variety of notable companies, including Alibaba Group, beepi, BrightRoll, Betterment, and ADORE ME.

Haatch Ventures LLP is a venture capital firm and incubator based in Stamford, United Kingdom, founded in September 2013 by Scott Weavers-Wright, Elaine Weavers-Wright, and Fred Soneya. The firm focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in technology sectors such as software as a service (SaaS), artificial intelligence, and retail technology. Haatch specializes in providing growth capital to startups at the pre-seed and seed stages, typically investing between £100,000 and £300,000 while participating in rounds up to £2 million. In addition to financial support, the firm offers strategic guidance and networking opportunities to enhance the prospects of success for its portfolio companies. Haatch also manages an EIS fund aimed at investing in scalable and disruptive business models, particularly those that have achieved early market traction and are seeking support to scale to Series A.