The short answer
The Zalarma investor database, as of 2026-11-01 lists 323 US accelerator investor records. California (144) and New York (65) hold 67% of those with a known state; Texas (26) is next; other states are not counted individually here. Accelerators list a median check of $100K to $500K.
- 323 US accelerator investor records in our database.
- 67% are in California and New York.
- Outside CA and NY, the South leads (58), driven by Texas.
- Median accelerator check: $100K to $500K.
- Check whether a program requires relocation before applying.
Key findings
- Our database lists 323 US accelerator investor records, people and units at accelerators that invest in the companies they take in.
- They are highly concentrated: California (144) and New York (65) hold 67% of those with a known state. Texas (26) is next; other states are not counted individually here.
- 22 more states have at least one accelerator record but fewer than 10, so they are not counted individually here.
- By Census region outside California and New York, the South leads with 58 records, driven by Texas.
- Accelerators write small, early checks: a median of $100K to $500K, and 181 records list pre-seed.
Why look at accelerators by state
For a founder without a network, an accelerator can be the fastest way to a small check, a cohort of peers and introductions to investors. The question is which programs are reachable from where you live, and whether you need to move. This report counts accelerator investor records in the Zalarma investor database, as of 2026-11-01 by state and region. It counts investor records tied to accelerators, not every program, so a local accelerator that does not invest or is not yet in our data will not show up.
Accelerator investor records by state
Accelerator investor records, largest states
| State | Accelerator records |
|---|---|
| California | 144 |
| New York | 65 |
| Texas | 26 |
States with at least one accelerator record but fewer than 10: Florida, Georgia, Washington, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Washington, DC, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee. 10 records have no state.
By Census region
Grouping states into the four US Census regions lets us show the smaller states without publishing tiny counts.
| Region | Accelerator records | List pre-seed | List seed | Excluding CA and NY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West | 160 | 95 | 139 | 16 |
| Northeast | 79 | 43 | 71 | 14 |
| South | 58 | 35 | 51 | 58 |
| Midwest | 16 | under 10 | 13 | 16 |
Accelerator records by Census region, excluding CA and NY
Once California and New York are set aside, the South has the most accelerator records (58), with Texas the largest contributor (26). The West outside California, the Northeast outside New York and the Midwest each have 14 to 16 records.
Programs with the most investor records
| Program | US investor records |
|---|---|
| Y Combinator | 33 |
| Techstars | 29 |
| Plug and Play Tech Center | 27 |
| Antler | 26 |
| 500 Global | 22 |
| SOSV | 19 |
| 500 Startups Korea | 14 |
The largest programs in our data are national or global brands. Formats differ by program and change over time, so check whether a program requires you to relocate before you apply. Smaller regional programs appear in our data with fewer than 10 records each.
Stages, checks and sectors
- Stages listed: pre-seed 181, seed 282, Series A 116, Series B and later 44.
- Check bands by minimum (294 with a stated check): under $50K 67; $50K–$250K 135; $250K–$1M 75; $1M+ 17.
- Median check range: $100K to $500K.
| Sector focus listed | Accelerator records |
|---|---|
| B2B SaaS & enterprise software | 205 |
| Consumer & retail | 182 |
| Fintech | 113 |
| Healthcare & digital health | 107 |
| Machine learning & data | 101 |
| Deep tech & hardware | 74 |
| Climate & energy | 67 |
| Biotech & life sciences | 63 |
Questions to ask before you apply
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| How much do you invest, and on what terms? | Accelerator checks are small; the equity or SAFE terms decide what it really costs you. |
| Is the program in person, remote or hybrid? | Relocating for three months is a real cost for founders with customers or families at home. |
| Which investors attend demo day, and where are they based? | A program whose investors never back companies in your region may not help your next round. |
| What happened to the last two cohorts? | Ask how many raised a follow-on round and from whom. Talk to alumni directly. |
| Does the program have sector depth? | A health or climate program brings mentors and pilots that a generalist cohort cannot. |
What to do with this
- Do not assume you must move. Accelerator investor records cluster in California and New York, but location requirements vary by program. Check each program's format before applying.
- Look regionally. If your state has few accelerator records, the nearest regional program, a university program or a state-backed one may be a better fit than a national one.
- Compare the terms. Accelerator checks are small ($100K median minimum) and usually come with a fixed equity stake or a SAFE. Read our SAFE glossary entry first.
- Plan the next round. An accelerator check is a start, not a round. Line up local angels and micro-VCs for what comes after.
Browse accelerators in our database or the pre-seed investors by state report.
Methods note
Data: Zalarma investor database, as of 2026-11-01. An accelerator record is a US startup-investor record whose investor type includes accelerator; most are people at accelerators who invest. Program names are the firm name on each record, as recorded, so one program can appear under more than one name. Regions follow the US Census Bureau's four regions. State counts under 10 are suppressed, and region totals are shown only when they are 10 or more. Massachusetts is counted within the Northeast region rather than shown on its own, so that no smaller Northeast count can be worked out from the published figures. Stage, sector and check size are what each record lists. These are records in our database, not a census of every accelerator program in the US.
Frequently asked questions
Which states have the most accelerators?
In our data, by accelerator investor records: California (144), New York (65) and Texas (26). Other states are not counted individually here.
How much do accelerators invest?
Accelerator records list a median check of $100K to $500K. Terms vary by program.
Do I need to move to join an accelerator?
Not necessarily. Formats vary by program, and some run remote or multi-city cohorts. Check the format of each program before you apply.
Does this count every accelerator?
No. It counts accelerator investor records in our database. Programs that do not invest, or are not yet in our data, are not included.