Categories
Accelerators reject many startups that could succeed. This is not always a statement about quality. It is often a consequence of capacity limits, cohort design, and fit constraints.
Common reasons strong startups are rejected
- Stage mismatch: too early or too late for the cohort.
- Fit mismatch: misalignment with the program thesis.
- Clarity issues: reviewers cannot assess the startup quickly.
- Cohort constraints: limited slots in a category.
What founders should learn from this
Rejection is often comparative and contextual. Improving clarity and targeting better-fit programs typically yields better outcomes than optimizing narratives.