Startups

Here are all the Philly incubators and accelerators to put on your radar 

Programs that offer networking, funding and other resources to local startup founders run throughout the year.

Pennovation's 2024 accelerator cohort (Courtesy Pennovation Accelerator)

For an early-stage company, the decision to join an incubator or accelerator can lead to connections and resources that boost them to the next level. 

The good news is that Philadelphia offers a variety of programs for a range of founder experiences, including programs that specifically target students or sectors like life sciences

With chances to seek out mentors and get a financial boost, these programs often require a dedicated commitment to weeks or months of programming. If you don’t find the right fit, you can always check out organizations like Philly Startup Leaders and Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technology offering a dedicated community and other resources to lean on. 

Check out the full, interactive list below of incubators and accelerators in the Philly region. 

💡What’s the difference between incubators and accelerators?

Incubators are generally programs where entrepreneurs can find early-stage mentoring and resources to develop their business. They often include an opportunity for office or lab space, and typically have longer, more flexible timelines.

Accelerators are typically highly structured, intensive, cohort-based programs that last for a set time period — usually anywhere from four weeks to several months. Often involving a competitive application process, they may be virtual, hybrid or in-person, and often require a commitment to meet with the cohort on a regular basis.


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Sarah Huffman is a 2022-2024 corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The Groundtruth Project that pairs young journalists with local newsrooms. This position is supported by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism.
Companies: Penn Center for Innovation / Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs / Pennovation Center / Founder Institute / Drexel University / NextFab / PACT / University City Science Center / University of Pennsylvania
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