Top 7 Small Business Accelerator Programs

If you have a small business, invest your time (or money) in a business accelerator program. If you’re unfamiliar, a business accelerator program usually offers investments, mentorship, resources, and other forms of support. The right accelerator program can catapult your business to success and help you achieve your business goals. Here are 7 small business accelerator programs that you can enroll in. 

1. Google for Startups Accelerator

If you have a startup, it’s the perfect time to join the Google for Startups Accelerator. Google offers this startup to people all over the world and so even if you’re not based in the United States, you can still participate in this program. 

The benefits of this accelerator startup include:

• Three months of equity-free support
• Training on design, marketing, and leadership
• Google product credits for your tech stack
• Access to Google’s network of industry experts
• Mentoring from 20+ Google teams
• Support on company and product strategy
• Early access to new Google products and tools
• Partnership on advanced technology project

Check out their website and the accelerator programs they offer to see which one is right for you.

2. Amazon Accelerator

Just like Google, Amazon accelerator has several programs available for you. 

Their accelerator program enables manufacturers to launch brands and innovative products exclusively on Amazon and creates a path to becoming an Amazon Private Brand Supplier.  

Amazon accelerator benefits include:

• Onboarding support
• Marketing support
• Venue to test and learn

They have a ton of participating categories. You can get the full list on their website but some of the categories include:

• Apparel and accessories
• Beauty
• Health and Wellness
• Household and personal care
• Food and Beverages

To see a complete list of other Amazon accelerator programs you can visit their website. 

3. Amazon Black Business Accelerator 

Amazon has an accelerator program exclusively for Black businesses operating in the United States. 

The Amazon Black Business Accelerator program aims to help build sustainable growth for Black-owned businesses by explicitly targeting barriers to access, opportunity, and advancement.

To participate you’ll need to have products that are ready for promotion and sales on Amazon’s platform. In addition to that, you’ll also need to have a valid minority-owned business registration or certification.

Some of the benefits of this business accelerator program are:

• Credits and cash investment opportunities to help jump-start business growth and customer acquisition.
• Business education & coaching
• Marketing & advertising support

4. Linkedin Accelerator for Creators

If you’re a creator on LinkedIn, you can stay tuned for the next staging of the LinkedIn accelerator for creators. It’s a six-week incubator-style program.  

While this accelerator is closed you can still follow LinkedIn For Creators page for updates. 

The benefits of this business accelerator program include:

• Support from the LinkedIn team
• A financial award
• Early access to LinkedIn tools

5. Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses

Goldman Sachs has a 10,000 Small Businesses program that invests in small businesses and helps them grow. 

This 12-week program is completely free for any small business in the United States. 

Some of the benefits of this program include:

• Practical business education
• Capital
• Network of support with other small business owners and business professionals
• Best in-class curriculum 

The Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses is looking for small businesses that have been operating for at least two years and have:

• Revenue of over $75,000 in the most recent fiscal year
• A minimum of 2 employees including the owner

6. Goldman Sachs 1 Million Black Women

Goldman Sachs 1 Million Black Women program was established with other Black-led organizations. 

They’re investing 10 billion dollars in direct investment capital and 100 million dollars in philanthropic support to address gender and racial biases that affect Black women. 

According to the company, initial investments are underway through a variety of strategic channels including:

• Housing
• Jobs and Workforce
• Healthcare
• Education
• Broadband
• Access to capital
• Financial health

As part of their 1 Million Black Women Program, they’re providing grants such as the Black Women Impact Grants. These grants are a $10 million grant program geared at Black women-led charitable nonprofits. 

For more information on their various programs, please check out their website. 

7. Techstars Accelerator

The Techstars Accelerator is geared toward startups all over the world. 

They offer a ton of accelerators and can help your business succeed. Their accelerators are typically three months. The first month is geared towards mentorship. During this month, your company will meet with various mentors and eventually settle on about 3-5 mentors. The mentors will help you with things like product development, legal, fundraising,  and business development. 

The second month is for you to execute what you learned from your mentors.

In the third and final month, Techstars says, “founders go deep on telling their story. This is crucial to fundraising and Demo Day preparation.”

You’ll have access to other professionals to help you prepare for Demo Day. 

Next Steps 

Share this information with your peers who are also in business.

In addition to that, if you’re interested in any of these accelerator programs, check out the cohorts that have gone through them. Reach out and connect with them. 

Finally, if you’re looking for a community of go-getters that help you achieve your business goals, sign up for our community She Boss Tribe. Not only can you expect mentorship, but you also get access to exclusive masterclasses and so much more.