Startup accelerators are a prominent fixture in the tech community, fueling the early stage investment landscape in support of yielding the next big thing. Accelerators give momentum to ideas and turn startups into industry disrupters. A batch of the best New York accelerators have spawned some of the leading tech startups in recent years. We've rounded up the most innovative tech companies to come out of these three NYC accelerators.
Accelerator: Techstars
About: Techstars is a competitive, mentorship-driven startup accelerator that offers three-month programs for startups. Considered one of the best startup accelerators in the world, Techstars accepts fewer than 1 percent of companies that apply to its program.
Companies:
1. Spoon University
Spoon University is a food media brand targeted at teaching millennials how to cook. The company was a part of Techstar’s Winter 2015 cohort. To date, the company has received $2.5 million in two funding rounds.
2. Iris VR
Iris VR builds software to share, edit and visualize 3D models in virtual reality. The company’s first product converts existing 3D designs into the Oculus Rift with one click. Shortly after graduating from Techstar’s Winter 2015 program, the company closed a $1.63 million funding round.
3. Unique Sound
Unique Sound is a platform that allows composers and other sound creatives to showcase their work and get hired directly by clients. Unique Sound was also a part of Techstar’s Winter 2015 batch, and has raised $1 million in seed funding.
Accelerator: Grand Central Tech
About: Overlooking Grand Central Station in Midtown, Grand Central Tech (GCT) is a unique accelerator space. GCT does not charge its startup cohort rent nor does it take any equity from the companies it houses. Alternatively, GCT supports startups as long as they agree to rent office space in the 1.1 million square foot building it occupies after partaking in the accelerator’s year-long program. GCT’s approach aims to create an entrepreneurial point of density within New York’s tech community.
Companies:
1. Augmate
Augmate is a B2B augmented reality platform and was a part of Grand Central Tech’s 2014 class. The wearable-technology software startup specializes in the development and distribution of enterprise solutions for smart eyewear. Augmate has received $2.8 million in three rounds of funding.
2. Nagare Water
Nagare Water, which was a part of Grand Central Tech’s 2014 class, develops high performance membranes for seawater desalination, wastewater reuse and personal water purification. The company’s aim is to offer technology that makes desalination reliable, efficient and inexpensive in order to provide solutions to fresh water scarcity and waterborne diseases. Nagare Water has secured a $10.5 million Series A funding round.
3. Common
Common, founded by General Assembly co-founder, Brad Hargreaves, partners with property owners and local organizations in order to create shared living spaces for members-only communities. The company aims to develop residential communities with shared services, monthly terms and local events in conjunctions with its mission. Common is a part of Grand Central Tech’s 2015 class and raised a $7.35 million Series A round in July.
Accelerator: Betaworks
About: Betaworks technically identifies as a startup studio, operating both as a seed-fund and incubator. The company provides space and a learning environment for startups, as well as a close-knit network of ideas, people, capital, products and data. Betaworks primarily invests in network-focused, consumer-facing businesses.
Companies:
1. Bit.ly
Bitly is a URL shortening service, used primarily on social networks, email and SMS platforms. Bitly’s link management platform helps brands scale and measure their marketing initiatives. Bitly links have also become all-important in the 140-character Twitter landscape. Bitly has raised $31.4 million in funding over six rounds.
2. Chartbeat
With an emphasis on real-time data service, Chartbeat provides a dashboard for website owners to monitor their site traffic on a minute-by-minute basis. The platform provides websites and blogs with important insights such as where visitors are viewing from, the average length of page load times and the percentage of returning visitors. Chartbeat is now used by 80 percent of U.S. publishers and has raised $32.1 million in five rounds of funding.
3. Giphy
Giphy was born out of an experiment from two Betaworks hackers in residence, Alex Chung and Jace Cooke, who at the time, found it difficult to browse the best GIFs on the Internet. Their solution became Giphy, which is a platform that allows anyone to search for animated GIFs on the web. With widespread virality and extensive reach, Giphy grew quickly as a method to search, share and discover the world’s best GIFs. Giphy has secured $23.95 million in two rounds of funding.
