Are startup accelerators still worth it in 2025?
Lately there’s been a growing wave of skepticism around VCs, Y Combinator, and accelerators in general. And to be fair: I get it.
We now live in an age where almost everything you need to learn can be found online. The gatekeepers are fewer, the knowledge is everywhere, and solo builders have never been more empowered.
But I think a lot of these takes overlook what I see as the real value of accelerators:
– The people. You’re not just learning: you’re entering an alumni network filled with top-tier founders who are open to helping others from the same ecosystem. That network alone can change the trajectory of your startup.
– The pressure. Being in that environment creates external momentum. You feel the push to build, iterate, and ship fast. That kind of accountability is hard to replicate on your own.
– The signal. It might be a “soft” benefit, but having YC or another respected accelerator on your resume still opens doors. Investors, partners, and press take notice.
So yeah: information is free. But context, accountability, and community still matter. A lot.
What’s your take? Have accelerators lost their edge or are they just evolving with the times?👇
Replies
Completely agree. People are the real multiplier.
At Ticmint, we believe that being surrounded by the right people is a key driver of the right mindset. Accountability, momentum, and access to strategic partnerships make all the difference, especially in the early stages.
That’s why we’re actively looking to join an accelerator program that can help us sharpen our execution, expand our network, and push toward the next phase of growth.
Information is everywhere. But the right ecosystem is still a game changer.
@omar_sarieddine Great. I really like your mindset.
Which accelerator are you looking to join?
@byalexai Programs like Techstars, Hub71, Seedcamp, and a couple of region-specific accelerators in the UAE and UK are currently on our radar. Always open to recommendations.
TinyCommand
I’ve never done YC, but we were part of a smaller accelerator in Singapore during the early days of our first pharmacy product and I think what you said about context and pressure is spot on.
In hindsight, we didn’t need help with “what to build” the product ideas were already validated with real pharmacies and doctors (my parents being our first testers). But what the accelerator gave us was a sharper sense of speed and story how to talk about the problem in a way that resonated beyond our niche, and how to move faster without burning out the team.
That said, I do think the role of accelerators has changed in 2025. If you're building something truly niche or infrastructure-heavy (like healthtech, compliance, or internal automation tools), generic startup advice doesn’t always apply. You need deep operator networks not just pitch decks and demo days.
So maybe the real question isn't “are accelerators worth it?” but which accelerators are still built for builders not just investors?
@priyanka_gosai1 Hey, it’s great that you’re sharing your personal experience and you’re actually confirming the value of accelerators.
Oh, since we’re also building a product in the health (data) space, and our company is also based in Singapore, could you share which accelerator you participated in?
The idea of an Accelerator is not just getting questioned, it's (rightly) getting hammered by cities and policy makers. This has been building for about 5 years now, since the boom of "Accelerators" throughout the country picked up right after the boom of "coworking" about 10 years ago.
And why? Because Accelerators are full of s*** for the most part. Glorified coworking with events, panel discussions, and office hours. That's not an Accelerator, that's... what literally everything startup related offers.
Local Stakeholders (city, companies, law firms, etc.) are burned out that they helped launch or support these Accelerators, because nothing is accelerated but some networking: no PR, no Sales, no substantial partners, and no measurable impact on rate of success.
The name was used by people wanting to sell communities to founders, because it's as sexy as calling everyone an entrepreneur, and startups gobbled it up to the glee of city leaders.
And then sponsors didn't renew. VCs stopped showing up as much. The events remained popular, because heck, everyone is looking for some networking and the local microbrew, but the mismatch between "Accelerator" with accelerate has every scratching their heads what they're meant to be.
Worldwide, I'm getting a TON of demand to explain the Venture Studio model, and Incubators are still a big deal since those that can teach founders well, and do, are a hell of a lot more valuable to such people than a 4 year degree for $100k
@seobrien I agree. In recent years, there’s been a devaluation of many things. Accelerators are also suffering from this. Their work has been greatly devalued due to the emergence of hundreds of them, which in turn makes the genuine ones stand out even more.
Dereference
Completely agree. Accelerators offer far more than funding or information. What they really provide is belief. Being surrounded by others building at that speed, with access to tight internal networks and tailored support, creates momentum that’s hard to build alone.
Their endorsement also carries real weight. In a world where reputation matters, that early vote of confidence boosts your brand more than most people realize.
I don't think accelerators are outdated, just evolving: in addition to disseminating knowledge, they also provide real connections, pressure-driven motivation, and brand endorsement. While information is readily available, the integration into high-quality circles, passive promotion, and recognition that fragmented online learning cannot match.
Went through YC (W22) and here are a few more reasons that I think YC (particularly) invaluable.
1) Work at a start up - YC has their own hiring job board - and after we were accepted, hiring great people became...I don't know - like 10X easier. It was a true hiring cheat code - and this alone makes it worth it imo. After hiring our first 20 people by just grinding - hiring through work at a startup felt like going from running up hill to skate boarding down one.
2) Bookface - the internal intranet and forum and startup library built by Michael Siebel and team are full of things you can't find on the internet. Its more real, its more direct, its way more valuable.
3) Partners - they will take your call well after your batch - and they are global level experts - and those calls are free.
There are lots more (YC company discounts, massive help fundraising, etc.) - but yeah - is like a 10/10 deal imo. Highly recommend. I'm not getting paid to say this.
Johnny Wolff - www.livehomeroom.com YC22
@johnny_wolff Wow, great post!
Could you share some of the resources? I mean what did they include, what topics did they cover?
How often did you meet?
Funny you mentioned the momentum accelerators create—I totally agree that accountability and that intense push to ship fast can make or break early startups. I’ve seen solo founders struggle with endless planning but joining a cohort forced them to focus and actually launch. Also, that network effect is huge; it’s not just about learning but having real access to founders who’ve been there and can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
Accelerators can really help you speed things up, take more responsibility with deadlines, get feedback, and make connections or even introductions. That said, a lot depends on you. Sometimes people expect too much, in reality, most of the knowledge shared could be found online, it’s just that the mentors and the way they share it adds extra context and perspective.