Organization map
Organizations
Start with the kind of organization you need. Each kind opens to its own list.
The kinds people ask for most
Each one has its own page, built around what you need to know about that kind.
Venture StudioOrganizations that build startups in-house by providing founders, resources, and capital. They co-create companies rather than just funding external teams.AcceleratorTime-bound programs (typically 3-6 months) that provide seed funding, mentorship, and a structured curriculum. Cohort-based with a demo day at the end.IncubatorLonger-term support programs that help nurture ideas into viable businesses. Unlike accelerators, they are often open-ended with no fixed graduation date.UniversityUniversities and university-linked entrepreneurship entities, including entrepreneurship centers, tech transfer offices, student venture funds, incubators, and startup clubs.
Every other kind
The rest of the startup world, one list per kind.
Pre-AcceleratorEarly-stage startup preparation programs that help founders validate ideas, form teams, and become ready for accelerators, grants, or first funding.Corporate AcceleratorCohort-based startup programs run by or for corporations, usually focused on pilots, partnerships, customer access, or strategic innovation.Venture CapitalProfessional investment firms that raise capital from limited partners and deploy it into startups. Typically write checks from $500K to $50M+ across defined stages.Micro VCSmaller funds (typically under $100M) that invest at pre-seed and seed. More accessible than traditional VCs, often run by former founders with strong operator networks.Corporate VCInvestment arms of large corporations. They invest for both financial returns and strategic alignment with their parent company's business goals.Angel GroupOrganized networks of high-net-worth individuals who pool deal flow and sometimes co-invest. Faster and more informal than institutional VCs.Family OfficePrivate wealth management firms for ultra-high-net-worth families. Patient capital with longer time horizons than typical VC funds.SyndicateDeal-by-deal investment vehicles led by experienced angels or VCs. Backers opt into individual deals rather than committing to a blind fund.Venture DebtLenders that provide debt financing to VC-backed startups. Non-dilutive capital that supplements equity rounds, structured as term loans with warrants.Fund of FundsInvestors that allocate capital to VC funds rather than directly to startups. They shape the ecosystem by choosing which fund managers to back.Network VCPlatform-style VCs that leverage large communities of operators, founders, and experts to source and support deals.Government VCGovernment-backed investment vehicles designed to stimulate innovation and economic development in specific regions or sectors.Private EquityFirms that invest in mature companies, often taking majority stakes. Focused on operational improvement, growth through acquisition, and financial engineering.Secondary FundFunds that buy existing stakes in private companies from other investors, providing liquidity before an exit event.Grant MakerOrganizations that provide non-dilutive funding. No equity is exchanged. Often government-backed, foundation-funded, or corporate programs targeting specific outcomes.CompetitionPrize-based programs where startups compete for funding, visibility, or resources. Includes pitch competitions, business plan contests, and hackathons with prizes.CommunityFounder communities, peer networks, and membership organizations that connect entrepreneurs with resources, events, and each other.Search FundInvestment vehicles where an entrepreneur raises capital to find, acquire, and operate a single private company.Holding CompanyEntities that own controlling stakes in multiple companies, managing them as a portfolio without necessarily being a traditional fund.Trade OrganizationIndustry associations and trade groups that support startups through advocacy, networking, and market intelligence.Research InstituteResearch organizations that produce science, technology, or policy work and may commercialize discoveries through partnerships, licensing, grants, or spinouts.Economic Development AgencyCity, regional, national, or supranational agencies that support startups through incentives, grants, relocation support, soft-landing programs, and ecosystem infrastructure.Startup / Innovation HubPhysical or hybrid startup ecosystem infrastructure such as coworking spaces, startup campuses, science parks, maker spaces, lab spaces, and local innovation centers.Corporate InnovationCorporate startup engagement teams, labs, venture-client units, open innovation programs, and partnership desks that work with startups without necessarily investing.Capital PlatformFunding marketplaces, crowdfunding portals, investor matching platforms, and alternative financing platforms that help startups, funds, or projects access capital.
