Founders often apply to a "program" without noticing they are four very different things. The label changes what you get, what you give up, and how much control you keep.
The four models
| Model | What it is | Typical deal | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accelerator | Fixed-term (~3-month) cohort: capital, mentorship, Demo Day | Small check for 6-10% | Full control of your company |
| Incubator | Open-ended support, space and resources, often pre-idea | Often little/no cash; sometimes equity-free | Control; less capital and urgency |
| Venture studio | Builds companies in-house; you may join or co-found | Large stake (often 20-50%+) | Less ownership, more build support |
| Fellowship | Backs people, not always a company yet | Grant or small SAFE; sometimes equity-free | Freedom; weaker built-in structure |
When each fits
Choose an accelerator
You have an idea or early product and want a time-boxed sprint plus an investor signal. This is the default for most pre-seed founders — the whole FindSeed directory is built around them.
Choose an incubator
You want space, resources, and time to explore without a ticking Demo Day clock — common at universities and city programs.
Choose a venture studio
You want to build with a machine behind you and will trade significant equity for it. Note some "residencies" like Founders Inc blur this line.
Choose a fellowship
You are pre-company or want maximum freedom. Thiel Fellowship, Neo and South Park Commons back the person first.
Know which of the four you are actually joining, and the rest of the decision — stage, format and fit — gets much easier.
Find the right program for your startup
Filter 60 accelerators, studios and fellowships by equity, check size, stage, focus and format.
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