Accelerators are now an integral part of the startup ecosystem

Accelerators are now an integral part of the startup ecosystem. For some, especially first-time founders, it is sort of becoming a checkbox item: go through an accelerator. Serial entrepreneurs, as a rule, would say they don't need to, because they already know what to do.

Some people say that accelerators are only good for the companies that haven't yet raised financing. They argue that if the company has raised capital, then it's too far along for an accelerator and wouldn't benefit from it.

My take is different: None of the above is universally true. We have plenty of successes at Techstars (where I'm a managing director) with companies who raised funding, and plenty of serial entrepreneurs who have gone through the program. Increasingly, we see later-stage companies that already achieved product market fit really accelerate by going through Techstars.
Here is a breakdown of why you would join an accelerator, along with some tips.

5 Helpful Pre-Launch Resources for Online Startups

Many startups have failed over the years, and a horrible product or service isn’t always to blame -- it’s often because nobody knew the product or service existed. Attracting users early on, either during the pre-launch beta or on the actual launch date is great for two things: feedback and revenue.

While creating an early buzz and attracting a user base can be difficult, there are many tools that can help, including the five listed below.

Got a Business Idea? Here's How to See If It's Sustainable.

Chances are, you’ve come up with a business idea at some point in your life, whether you realize it or not. Some people come up with a possible idea for a solution to a common problem and dismiss it, never to address the subject seriously again. Others generate an idea for a business and fixate on it, trying to take action but never getting off the ground.

Ideas come in many shapes and sizes, and while most bad ideas are recognizable as bad ideas immediately, not all “good” ideas are created equal. A “good” idea, in theory, is one that solves a problem adeptly, with no major drawbacks. But not every good idea can sustain a good business.

For example, your idea, while good, might not be cost effective, therefore preventing you from generating a worthwhile profit. If you have a good idea, but you aren’t sure whether the idea is sustainable as the foundation for a real business, ask yourself these questions: