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.

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.

Flat6Labs is a prominent startup accelerator founded in 2011 and based in Cairo, Egypt, dedicated to supporting seed-stage ventures primarily in the MENA region. The organization funds and mentors a select group of startups every four months, providing them with seed capital and office space. Through partnerships, particularly with the American University in Cairo, Flat6Labs offers mentorship and educational programs designed to address the real-world challenges entrepreneurs face in building successful businesses. The accelerator has expanded its reach with additional offices in cities including Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Jeddah, Manama, and Tunis. Flat6Labs is also a member of the Global Accelerator Network, further enhancing its network and resources for startups. In collaboration with the Saudi Venture Capital Company, it manages early-stage venture capital funds that target various sectors, including technology and mobile applications, with investments ranging from SAR 0.75 million to SAR 1.5 million in emerging companies.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of The World Bank Group that focuses on fostering sustainable economic growth in developing countries through private sector investment. It provides a range of financial services, including loans, equity investments, quasi-equity products, and advisory services aimed at supporting startups and various stages of company development. IFC invests in sectors such as agribusiness, financial services, health, education, infrastructure, global manufacturing, oil and gas, telecommunications, and tourism, with a particular emphasis on projects that promote food security, digital finance, and affordable healthcare. The organization targets investments ranging from $1 million to $100 million, often seeking minority stakes but may also take a majority position in its portfolio companies. IFC aims to create jobs, generate tax revenues, and enhance corporate governance in emerging markets, thus contributing positively to local communities. Established in 1956 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., IFC operates globally with offices across various regions, focusing its efforts on financing projects that align with its mission of improving lives in developing countries.

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.

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) is a government-owned investment management company in South Africa, established in 1911. It exclusively serves the public sector, managing funds for public bodies that include pension, provident, social security, and guardian funds. As one of Africa's largest and most successful investment managers, PIC operates with a diversified portfolio that encompasses various asset classes, including listed and unlisted equities, bonds, properties, and cash. The corporation's investment strategy incorporates both in-house and externally managed assets, with a focus on maximizing returns for the public sector while adhering to responsible investment principles. Through its comprehensive approach, PIC plays a crucial role in supporting the financial sustainability of public institutions in South Africa.

Proparco is a French government organization established in 1977, dedicated to promoting private sector funding in sustainable development. Based in Paris, the firm focuses on financing and supporting companies and financial institutions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Proparco's investment strategy emphasizes key development sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, and financial services. The organization aims to strengthen the contributions of private actors towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the international community. Proparco finances projects that create jobs, provide essential goods and services, and combat climate change, offering a range of financial instruments including loans, equity, and guarantees. Its interventions are designed to enhance the resilience of communities and promote sustainable economic growth in emerging markets.

Founders Factory is a prominent startup accelerator and venture studio that partners with entrepreneurs and corporates to build and scale technology startups globally. Established in 2015, it focuses on reducing the risks associated with startup development by providing capital, operational support, and access to established corporate networks. The firm has created a diverse portfolio of over 200 tech companies, including more than 35 startups developed from inception within its Venture Studio. In Africa, Founders Factory Africa, founded in 2018, specifically targets investments in sectors such as health, energy, fintech, and education, emphasizing scale, technology, and social impact. In exchange for a seed investment and operational assistance, the firm acquires equity in the startups it supports, aiming to help them transition into viable and sustainable businesses.

Village Capital is a Washington, D.C.-based venture capital firm founded in 2009 that focuses on early-stage and seed investments in sectors such as agriculture, education, energy, financial services, and healthcare. The firm aims to empower entrepreneurs by employing a unique peer-support model, allowing entrepreneurs to select the ventures that receive pre-committed seed funding at the conclusion of its programs. Village Capital connects high-potential entrepreneurs with essential resources, fostering innovation and growth. It operates both a nonprofit that provides training for founders and a for-profit investment fund that invests in top program graduates, having supported over 1,000 entrepreneurs and more than 550 enterprises across various global regions. The firm has achieved notable success, with its alumni generating significant revenue and creating thousands of jobs, while maintaining a high recommendation rate among participants.

Algebra Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Cairo, Egypt, specializing in early-stage investments within the technology sector, particularly in Fintech. Founded in 2015, the firm targets high-growth startups across the MENA region, with a preference for companies in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the UAE, Tunisia, and Morocco. Algebra Ventures focuses on Series A and Series B funding rounds, although it is open to earlier-stage investments. The firm typically invests between $0.1 million and $4 million, seeking minority stakes of 15% to 30% in the companies it supports. Its investment strategy emphasizes technology-enabled businesses in areas such as e-commerce, online marketplaces, enterprise software, and digital technology, aiming to partner with passionate teams that demonstrate a unique value proposition and the potential for significant economic returns.