12 Accelerators and Competitions to Check Out

Happy almost Valentine’s Day! It is the season of love, chocolate, and come Monday, a lot of great bouquets at the supermarket on sale.

In this sentiment, I wanted to share something I love: supporting startups in programmes and working with founders 1:1. In my time, I have been part of quite a few accelerators (even moving to Finland for one!) and I have designed and delivered over 9 global programmes. Now, whenever I see opportunities come across my desk, I have to spread the word.

This week, I wanted to share a round up of startup support programmes and competitions you can take a look at—with some deadlines fast approaching!

Accelerators, incubators, and competitions make sense for you and your timing. (Which I talk about in this post here!) They are not for everyone, and nor should they be. As a founder, you need to go in with the right attitude and focus to make them worth your time, energy, and effort (as well as sometimes equity.)

So let’s spotlight some opportunities to keep an eye on or apply to:

UK Programmes and Events

• Get one year free of InVestd Raise competition (February 20th - UK Based) Get 12 months of InVestD support to help you build your data room, SEIS assurance, and investment documents for UK founders.

• MSDUK Innovation Challenge (March 27th - UK Based) Up to £20,000+ of prize funding, MSDUK membership, and corporate mentorship opportunities for ethnic minority owned businesses in the UK.

• Mass Challenge UK (March 4th) Looking for high potential startups in AI, cybersecurity, and foodtech for this competition and programme.

• Geoinnovation Accelerator Programme (28 February) Equity funding and support with access to data sets for those in the property sector.

Impact Minded Programmes + Competitions 

• International Innovation Corps (February 25th - Global) Looking for social impact fellows to create scalable solutions to social challenges with a placement in India.

• Changemakers for Youth Drosos Foundation (March 29th - Global/Selected Countries) Social entrepreneurship programme for those consuming on social, economic, and environmental issues in their communities 

Climate Focused Programmes + Competitions 

• Greentown Go Make 2026 (March 10th - Global) Competition/programme designed with Shell and Technip Technologies to support startups from TRL 3-8 in decarbonization and defossilization, with

• Ebay Circular Fashion Fund - (March 8 - Global with selected regions like US, UK, EU, etc) Backing bold businesses advancing the future of fashion and circular economy with funding and promotion

Medtech Opportunities 

• Cancer Tech Accelerator (March 20 - UK + Global) Supporting researchers and entrepreneurs building the next generation of oncology innovation, with a total award funding pot of £250K

• Morgan Stanley Inclusive and Sustainable Ventures (March 31- Global) Seeking startups and nonprofits in health and well being, environment, economic empowerment, and education to support with their accelerator

Other Preseed/Accelerators 

• PearX ( February 22nd - Global/US Base) Intimate cohort programme for high growth companies looking to scale and raise investment, supported by Pear VC

• Vercel AI Accelerator (February 16th - Global/US) Six week programme offering support for startups in the future of AI, with $$$ in AI credit support with some of the leading providers

Last Tip

You can always, and should, also do due diligence on any accelerator, programme or competition you are looking at applying to. See their portfolio companies, review the T&Cs (especially if there is equity or cash involved!), and the length of the application/time commitment to apply. (Start early!)

If you want any additional tips, just drop me a line, and I hope to do round ups like these at least once a quarter!

But also send me your thoughts, concerns, or a question you would like answered with the quick form below or leave a comment!

If this has been useful to you or if you have feedback to improve, please drop me a quick line. Or share with a friend!