Startup Accelerators

STARTUP ACCELERATORScollection of stories from going through one

Jakub Nesetril@jakubnesetril

• web developer for 15 years

• founder of Apiary.io — a REST API services company

• since May on Springboard accelerator in Cambridge

ABOUT ME

STARTUP WHAT?

large ideas colliderpower of numbersoffer: small money, mentor network, specific help (taxes, law, fundraising, tech)

WHY ACCELERATOR?

when? if you’re a first-time entrepreneur, but have co-foundersif you need to meet mentors, investors etc.not if you need to build your product

THE LITTLE DIFFERENCES

YC model prefers more unstructured time, occasional meetingsTechStars offers more hands-on approachSeedcamp doesn’t have a “class”1/1/1: mentors; building; pitchingdifferent equities, money, loans, follow-through…check NESTA Startup Factories, page 30: http://www.nesta.org.uk/home1/assets/features/the_startup_factories_report_feature

GETTING IN

application process: team just as important as the ideabe prepared to shoot a short videodemonstrate you’re serious

GETTING HIGH

get a good CRM, learn to live with itfollow-up, follow-up, follow-up

GETTING OUT

keep mentors engagedwork your contactshave a roadmap

SURPRISES

30% teams struggle internal conflictssort your team/relationships out really wellrelocate (ie. immerse yourself fully)guerrilla marketing

FUNDING TIPS

rule of thumb - your potential exit size should be the size of your investor’s funduse wisely - sometimes you DO NOT want fundingthink about future rounds, too

GO DO IT!

QUESTIONS?

@jakubnesetril