Frequently Asked Questions

We aim to work with for-profit and not-for-profit companies and founders solving problems for learners, educators, or administrators in Early Childhood, K-12, HigherEd, Workforce Learning, and Lifelong/Adult Education. We support those with up to $5 million in funding or revenue.

Our criteria for selecting companies in descending order of importance are as follows: 

1. Diverse-minded teams or solo founders with passion for education

2. Problem sets/markets with the opportunity to build companies $100 million+ in value

3. Evidence that you’re solving a real problem (e.g., users, revenue, partnerships, LOIs, RCT research, efficacy studies)

4. A scalable, eventually defensible tech-based product that the world needs

No, we accept applications from companies from around the world that need access to the capital, markets, and mentorship represented by the StartEd network. Our programs are offered both in-person and  virtually to support companies around the world. Visit StartEd Events to learn more as we are releasing programs every month. About 40% of StartEd alumni are founded and continue to operate internationally.

StartEd offers programming both in-person and virtually. StartEd Events displays upcoming programs. Apply to indicate your interest, you’ll be offered options to participate in-person or virtually.

Our annual EDTECH WEEK festival is hosted in-person in New York City this Fall. Check the EDTECH WEEK website for updates.

Membership fees are $5,000 - 6,000 per year, and can be subsidized by third parties — e.g. your investors, strategic partners. Its $500 / year to optionally include a cofounder or team member, which almost halves cost per person.

Programs are equity-free ― we want to give founders the option of accelerating their organizations without ‘paying’ a percentage of company ownership.

You don’t need to pick before you apply because we have a common application. We offer a comprehensive membership, that includes the option, but not the obligation, of an intro program: e.g. a 5-day intensive or a 5-week part-time for earlier-stage companies - that involve up to 25 hours of active learning. After taking 15 minutes to complete our common application, StartEd does the heavy lifting of figuring out fit and timing. In your interview, you will be able to decide how to focus us on your objective.

No, but we host optional in-person events where you can meet our team, our mentors, and showcase companies we work with. Check the StartEd Events page to sign up.

To introduce and build relationships between companies at all stages and the StartEd network of mentors

To accelerate innovation at mature companies and to aid the growth of the EdTech industry at large

To create and sustain a community of founders and cohort mentorship in the EdTech ecosystem 

In general, start dates are offered as often as once per month and we start working with you to customize your experience when you accept an offer. To find out specific dates, take 10-minutes to complete your no-obligation program application and schedule an interview.

StartEd program decisions are made on a rolling basis. We aim to make a decision within 1 week of receiving an application in the majority of cases. 

Apply now now on our site at started.com/apply

We believe that the best signal of being able to help other EdTech founders is having fundraised, built EdTech companies, and invested in EdTech companies. Our team has built companies, invested in dozens of EdTech companies, and sits on the boards of many other EdTech companies. Furthermore, our team has managed multiple EdTech accelerators and worked with 10,000+ EdTech founders. Meet the team here.

Membership is designed to solve key challenges for EdTech companies at varying points in the entrepreneurial journey. It allows immediate access to StartEd’s resources, including: 

• EDTECH WEEK ― StartEd’s innovation festival for global EdTech entrepreneurs, investors, educators, and policymakers 

• EdTech Shark Tanks― Visibility within K-12, HigherEd, and Adult Learning networks

• Masterclasses ― On-demand live and asynchronous training for your team led by practitioners and specialists in customer development, product development, growth hacking, and pitching

• The StartEd Network― The most seasoned and supportive mentor network of EdTech founders, investors, and educators 

• Sales Support – Masterclasses led by K-12, Higher Ed and Workforce Learning (Enterprise B2B) sales experts and facilitated discussions strengthen your sales strategy along every step of the sales cycle

• StartEd Circles ― ‘YPO-style’ small group discussions with EdTech CEOs by stage/vertical

• StartEd Advisors ― Fractional executive support in Fundraising, Sales, Go to Market, Product, and Talent.

If you are taking part virtually, the optimal number of participating team members is 2. This allows for switching in and out of the program, and if both team members participate in the full program, it allows for more effective mentor management in meetings and follow-up. Each additional team member may participate at a significantly reduced tuition rate.

Membership supports companies that are post-beta with their product but pre-Series B in funding ― and any nonprofit. This program accepts companies with up to $5 million in funding or revenue.

Membership supports companies that are pre-seed to growth stage, and is equity-free. Companies often use the opportunity to get a better understanding of the current US education and workforce market and the StartEd network..

Membership is also appropriate for early-stage companies, distributed teams and solo founders. Founders who value a supportive, industry-savvy community of EdTech founders and mentors would benefit from Membership.

We accept cohorts of ~10 companies for the StartEd Immersion program.

We accept cohorts of ~20 founders for the StartEd Bootcamp program.

No, but we provide ‘virtual coworking’ communities for participating companies and our alumni ― including Slack and a dedicated virtual portal. The one exception is Immersion @ EDTECH WEEK, where we offer access to a world-class facility in New York City where we host the in-person aspects of the program at our global innovation festival.

All mentors have committed to an initial meeting with the cohort, but it’s their prerogative (and yours) to further the relationship. We enable relationship building within the context of the program, but it’s up to you to drive it.

If you are participating in an in-person and require a temporary visa to spend up to 3 months in the US, we recommend applying for a temporary tourist visa for the duration of your stay. For more complex visa requirements, StartEd can refer you to our immigration legal partners for assistance. Contact us for help.

Applicants generally spend less than 30 minutes ― and often more like 10 minutes ― gathering required info and drafting responses. 

A few tips:

• Don’t wait to apply ― you can always send us updates via email to staff@startedaccelerator.com.

• We look for succinct responses to application questions, so shorter is better. If you are reaching the character limit often, you are likely spending too much time on it. 

• Do not spend time ‘producing’ your team and product video (if requested). Filming using a mobile phone or recording a group video call in Zoom/Skype/Google Hangout is fine.

• Use the application to refine and draft initial thinking about your company. Your responses can be used to answer due diligence questions from potential investors and partners. Keep your responses handy and update them as you evolve your thinking.