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Writer's pictureDoug Liles

10 Successful Companies That Started in a Startup Accelerator Program

Updated: Mar 5



Startup accelerators have proven to be a springboard for many successful companies globally. They provide startups with the necessary tools, mentorship, and resources to scale their businesses. This article explores ten successful companies that began their journey in a startup accelerator program.


Airbnb

Y Combinator

The popular vacation rental online marketplace, Airbnb, was part of the Y Combinator startup accelerator in 2009. The accelerator helped Airbnb refine its business model and attract its first major investment. Today, Airbnb is valued at over $30 billion.


Dropbox

Y Combinator

Another Y Combinator graduate, Dropbox, joined the program in 2007. The cloud storage service has since grown into a multi-billion dollar company with over 500 million users worldwide.




Reddit

Y Combinator

Yet another successful company that started in Y Combinator is Reddit. The social news aggregation and discussion website was in the first batch of startups in the accelerator in 2005. Today, Reddit is one of the most visited websites in the world.


SendGrid

Techstars

SendGrid, an email delivery and management service, was part of the Techstars accelerator in 2009. The company, which was acquired by Twilio in 2019, handles over 50 billion emails per month.


Plated

Techstars

Meal kit service Plated participated in the Techstars accelerator program in 2013. The company was later acquired by Albertsons for $200 million in 2017.


Zapier

Y Combinator

Zapier, a web-based service that allows end users to integrate the web applications they use, was part of the Y Combinator program in 2012. The company is now valued at over $1.3 billion.


Conclusion

These are just a few examples of the successful companies that have emerged from startup accelerator programs. These programs provide startups with an invaluable opportunity to learn, grow, and network with potential investors. It's safe to say that startup accelerators play a crucial role in nurturing innovative ideas and turning them into successful businesses.

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