COPYING Y COMBINATOR

amework for developing Seed Accelerator Programmes

Jed D. ChristiansenMBA Dissertation / Individual Project Judge Business School & Jesus College, CambridgeUniversity of Cambridge August 2009

A Framework for Seed Accelerator Programmes

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Abstract & Executive Summary

Seed accelerator programmes are a new model of funding and assisting startup companies andtheir founders, and were pioneered by the founders of Y Combinator. Instead of funding onestartup at a time, they are mentored in batches for e

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ciency. The model is di

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erent from bothtraditional seed

stage investing and business incubators, and new variations of seedaccelerators are being founded each year. The objective of this project is to evaluate these programs and address the question: How do you design a successful seed accelerator programme? By evaluating the reasons startups and theprogramme founders get involved, opportunities for flexibility can be determined.Subsequently, a framework for creating a new seed accelerator programme is developed. There are three intertwined elements that define if a seed accelerator programme will besuccessful. They are the intersection of highly qualified people that are experienced both inoperating startups and angel investing, a clear technology or industry focus to the programmeand a very distinct and compelling reason for existence. Once those three elements have beenclearly and honestly defined, the remainder of the programme definition is straightforward. A successful technology or industry focus is unlikely to be an exact copy of Y Combinator. Their focus on web applications and technologies means they have become the top

tier choicefor startups in that market. But using the framework discussed in di

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erent contexts can leadthe founders of new seed accelerator programmes to maximize their chances for success.

A Framework for Seed Accelerator Programmes

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