But what you probably didn’t know is that these digitally native giants got their start with successful exits from startup accelerators. Startup acceleration is playing an increasingly important role in the early-stage startup ecosystem, as observed by the increase of accelerator programs in the United States and abroad in the past decade.
This is done in a coordinated manner with the objective to provide innovation and economic or strategic return to each of the parties involved.
Startup accelerators are cohort-based programs* that provide mentorship services, education, networking, and recognition for early-stage startups that want to scale their product or service rapidly.
Between 3 to 6 months, which lends itself to the intensive and quick learning process they involve.
Usually in exchange for a percentage of company equity, accelerators provide startups with seed funding.
Startups involved are invited to participate in a Demo Day, where they will present their pitches & showcase their pilot results.
*The requirements, duration, application phase, number of startups, and seed investment provided, however, will vary depending on the program.
The goal is in the name: startup accelerators exist to accelerate your startup’s growth.
Accelerators help entrepreneurs turn their learning and knowledge into action. Because of their notably short durations, these programs allow entrepreneurs to take what normally takes years’ worth of learning and work, and streamlines it into just a few months, with an emphasis on learning by doing. Startup accelerators provide:
First and foremost, accelerators facilitate real–scale testing and validation of startup solutions in an established time period.
Startup accelerators also provide educational resources and services to help guide entrepreneurs through the complexities of growing their businesses.
These programs also promote engagement with other stakeholders and leaders in the industry, which provides the opportunity for future collaboration.
The network and the relationships that you can form during an accelerator program can help you to further achieve your growth strategy and acquire the right resources, even after the program closes.
On some occasions, startups stand out that have advanced the investment status in the pre-seed phase.
The program can prioritize those solutions that have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that has been developed and tested.
To benefit from acceleration services, a solution must have the potential to grow customers or new markets of interest to its audience.
With a defined CEO or Business Director and CTO or Technology Director, who is entirely dedicated to the program. Since mentoring is something elemental in acceleration.
BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP
User centered design
Technology and compliance
Relational capital and networking
What’s more, accelerators have a proven success rate of helping startups scale their businesses, with benefits extending to all stakeholders involved, such as investors and corporate partners. However, this success is greatly dependent on the commitment of the founders and members involved in the program. Accelerators assume a substantial investment in terms of time and engagement from all team members involved.
If you are committed to achieving growth rapidly and efficiently, accelerators can be incredibly rewarding for your startup. However, the results don’t simply occur overnight; consistent hard work is required.
Before you decide whether a startup accelerator is right for you, it’s important to have your business objectives clear and understand the process and responsibility that your startup’s participation implies.
Remember, not all accelerators are the same. The most useful ones are those with established connections to a wide network.
Cemex’s established position, strategic presence across the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and global trading network in close to 100 countries can provide your startup with the resources and connections required to ignite its growth.
If you want to make connections and gain valuable insights from our industry, make sure to check out our Leaplab Acceleration Program.
Our vision is to build a better future together, so we are looking for startups that have high potential solutions related to our four main focus areas: Green Construction, Enhanced Productivity, Construction Supply Chain, and Future of Construction.
Our purpose is to invite, support, and give visibility to global entrepreneurs who are willing to disrupt the construction industry and are interested in accelerating their solution’s development by leveraging Cemex’s resources and industry knowledge.
Cemex Ventures Leaplab’s offering includes:
Be part of the next edition of the Leaplab acceleration program!
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