Philadelphia's startup ecosystem is home to a variety of programs for founders. These organizations provide funding and resources to help early-stage companies grow.
Some programs have achieved considerable scale, such as Comcast RISE with nearly 500 investments. Others, like Ben Franklin Technology Partners, have a long history of activity, making over 230 investments and seeing 45 exits.
Below is our list of the best 8 accelerators and incubators in Philadelphia.
Failory's Top 8 Picks
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2,189 Accelerators & Incubators
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1,600+ Unicorns
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250 BioTech & Health Investors
List of startup investors in the BioTech, Health, and Medicine industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
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250 AI Investors
List of 250 startup investors in the AI and Machine Learning industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
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250 Fintech Investors
List of 250 startup investors in the FinTech and Finance industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
Get the Sheet for $50Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania fuels technology-based economic development by providing capital and business support to the region's startups. They help early-stage companies across various sectors secure the resources needed to launch and scale their operations.
| Year Founded | 1982 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 232 |
| Nº of Exits | 45 |
As a community of investors and resources, ic@3401 provides coworking, incubation, and accelerator services for early-stage companies. They focus on nurturing startups in sectors like software, HealthTech, and EdTech, connecting them with the capital and expertise needed for growth.
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Mohamed indera Shah |
| Nº of Investments | 49 |
| Nº of Exits | 11 |
| Duration (Weeks) | 0 |
Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs accelerates startups working at the intersection of connectivity, media, and entertainment. Founders in the program gain unique access to strategic expertise and partnership opportunities from across the Comcast and NBCUniversal family of companies.
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 30 |
| Nº of Exits | 4 |
Comcast RISE offers grants, marketing support, and technology makeovers to small businesses, with a focus on helping those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program specifically champions companies owned by people of color and women, providing vital resources to aid their recovery and growth.
| Year Founded | 2020 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 498 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
Sixers Innovation Lab supports rapidly growing, early-stage companies in the consumer product space. The program provides unique access to the marketing power and professional network of the Philadelphia 76ers.
| Year Founded | 2016 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 8 |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |
Part of the University of Pennsylvania's Venture Lab, the Venture Initiation Program nurtures student and alumni entrepreneurs through a tiered suite of programs. Its distinct incubator and accelerator tracks provide a structured path from idea to launch, offering community, mentorship, and non-dilutive funding to help new ventures take flight.
| Year Founded | 1740 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 1 |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |
| Program Type | On-Site |
By partnering with universities and governments, WorldUpstart provides a crucial bridge for international startups and corporations to enter the US market. Their accelerator programs and customized landing pads offer global innovators the resources needed to scale within the United States.
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 21 |
| Nº of Exits | — |
As a program of the Welcoming Center, the Global Startup Accelerator provides immigrant entrepreneurs with training and mentorship to launch technology-based businesses. It focuses on democratizing access to tech solutions and fostering inclusive economic growth for early-stage innovators.
| Year Founded | 2003 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | — |
| Nº of Exits | — |