Top Startup Accelerators & Incubators in San Francisco, USA

The San Francisco Bay Area, also known as Silicon Valley, has been a hub of innovation in the United States. According to Startup Genome, Silicon Valley received the most venture capital funding per capita in the world in 2023. From the historic Silicon Valley to the dynamic SoMa area, San Francisco's startup ecosystem offers an unparalleled environment for ambitious individuals seeking to transform their ideas into revolutionary, globally influential companies. 

This guide explores the leading accelerators and incubators in San Francisco that support startups in the ideation, launch, or growth phase so that you can find a program that suits your needs.

Top 15 Startup Accelerators & Incubators in San Francisco, USA

1. Imagine H2O

Target Audience: Early-stage startups and entrepreneurs with an idea or team.

Niche: Water tech, water management tech.

Imagine H2O is a nonprofit organization that drives water innovation through startup accelerators and various initiatives. It supports entrepreneurs globally, providing resources such as mentorship, market access, and pilot funding to develop and scale water-related technologies. Their programs aim to de-risk and fast-track the adoption of innovative water solutions, addressing pressing water challenges and promoting sustainability.

APPLY TO IMAGINE H2O

2. Hult Prize Foundation

Target Audience: Students and young innovators globally.

Niche: Edtech, social innovation, sustainability.

Hult Prize Foundation is a prestigious global competition that empowers students to innovate and create social enterprises addressing critical societal issues, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It fosters a spirit of social entrepreneurship through annual themes that focus on specific global challenges, offering a substantial prize to help the winning team launch their project.

APPLY TO HULT PRIZE FOUNDATION

3. 500 startups

Target Audience: Fast-growing tech companies.

Niche: Industry agnostic.

500 Global is a venture capital firm that invests in technology startups worldwide. It propels high-growth ventures through capital, mentoring, and network expansion. The firm focuses on diverse markets and sectors, supporting startups that can scale globally and achieve significant impact.

APPLY TO 500 STARTUPS

4. Y Combinator

Target Audience: Early-stage startup founders.

Niche: Industry agnostic.

Y Combinator is a highly influential startup accelerator that supports early-stage startups by providing seed funding, guidance, and networking opportunities. The program culminates in a Demo Day, where startups pitch to a carefully selected audience of investors. Y Combinator has a broad focus, encouraging startups across various industries.

5. Alchemist Accelerator

Target Audience: Early-stage startup founders.

Niche: Enterprise tech.

Alchemist Accelerator is a venture-backed initiative focused on accelerating the development of early-stage enterprises that monetize from enterprises. It provides startup funding, mentorship, and access to a vast network, emphasizing early-stage venture growth through strategic enterprise customer connections.

6. AngelPad

Target Audience: Early-stage tech startups.

Niche: Industry agnostic.

AngelPad is a top-tier accelerator based in San Francisco and NYC that offers an intensive mentorship-driven program primarily for tech startups. They focus on small cohorts to provide individualized support and significant investment opportunities.

7. HAX

Target Audience: Startups and entrepreneurs focusing on advanced manufacturing.

Niche: Hard tech, robotics, sensors, industrial processes.

HAX is part of the venture capital SOSV and is dedicated to hardware pre-seed businesses. It provides collaborative residency, hands-on engineering support, and substantial initial investment. Located in San Francisco, HAX specializes in rapid prototyping and market introduction for innovations in industries like robotics and electronics.

8. SAP.iO

Target Audience: Startups at different developmental stages.

Niche: Industry agnostic.

SAP.iO was a pioneering initiative by SAP to drive the growth of startups through engagement and acceleration programs, helping them scale and integrate into SAP's ecosystem. The focus was on startups from various industries that could enhance the SAP platform and its capabilities.

9. Obvious Ventures

Target Audience: Startups and entrepreneurs with a team.

Niche: Healthcare, economic growth, and planetary health innovations.

Obvious Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in purpose-driven entrepreneurs who aim to solve systemic problems profitably and scalable. It focuses on transformative technologies in the health, economic systems, and planetary health sectors.

10. LAUNCH

Target Audience: Early-stage startups with a team.

Niche: Technology and business innovation.

LAUNCH is a platform led by Jason Calacanis that supports and invests in early-stage startups through a combination of accelerator programs, podcasts, events, and books. It focuses on significant financial investments and extensive networking opportunities, offering founders access to over 700 investors.

11. StartLabs

Target Audience: Southeast European startups looking for seed funding and acceleration support.

Niche: Industry agnostic.

StartLabs is a U.S.-based fund that invests in startups from Southeast Europe. It offers up to $50,000 seed investment and a six-month acceleration program. The fund provides comprehensive support, including mentorship, technical infrastructure, and San Francisco and Belgrade office space.

12. Growth Circuit

Target Audience: Startups at different developmental stages.

Niche: Technology and innovation.

Growth Circuit is a venture capital and accelerator platform that supports startups from idea to revenue stages. It collaborates with UC Berkeley Innovation Acceleration Group and offers a range of programs, including mentoring from industry experts, to guide founders through validation and scaling.

13. HVF Labs

Target Audience: Startups and entrepreneurs with an idea.

Niche: Technology and data-driven innovation.

HVF Labs, founded by Max Levchin, specializes in identifying and leveraging technological opportunities that solve significant problems through data advantages. It fosters rapid experimentation and a deep expertise culture, aiming to grow ideas into companies by forming tight-knit, focused founding teams.

14. Code for America

Target Audience: Governments, entities, nonprofits, and community technologists.

Niche: Government technology and civic innovation.

Code for America is a nonprofit organization that collaborates with governments to improve public services through technology. They focus on social impact projects that make government services more accessible and effective for all, particularly in areas like criminal justice, social safety nets, and workforce development.

15. Saas Lender

Target Audience: French tech startups aiming to expand into the U.S. market.

Niche: Technology.

Impact North America's program, SaaS Lander, expedites French tech startups' entry into the U.S. market. The program shortens the typical expansion process, offering boot camps, market strategy development, and networking opportunities in key U.S. cities.

AcceleratorApp Closing Thoughts on Startup Accelerators and Incubators in San Francisco, USA

San Francisco, home to Silicon Valley, is a globally recognized startup hub, particularly in technology and innovation. The city's robust ecosystem of accelerators and incubators, such as Y Combinator and 500 Startups, provides critical support for early-stage companies.

These programs offer funding, mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to a wealth of resources and expertise vital for startups looking to scale rapidly and effectively. This vibrant community is pivotal in transforming innovative ideas into successful businesses, making San Francisco a crucial area for new ventures aiming to make a significant impact.

Want to discover more accelerators and incubators from other countries? Check out the list below. 

Top Accelerators and Incubators from:

• Berlin
• Toronto
• London
• Madrid
• São Paulo
• Paris
• Mexico
• Barcelona
• Dubai
• Riyadh
• Egypt
• San Francisco
• Boston
• New York City
• Austin
• Bangalore
• Tel Aviv
• Singapore
• Seoul