America’s Best Incubators and Accelerators of 2026

Storyby Aug 18, 2026 12:28 PM UTCCagkansayin—Getty ImagesThe U.S. creates more unicorns—companies valued at more than $1 billion—than any other country in the world. Most began as startups that were developed through funding and external support. There are several different development pathways a startup can take, from venture funding to partnerships to joining incubators and accelerators, which formed as a way to provide resources and support to burgeoning companies apart from capital. “I think part of what's pushed this movement into accelerators for many founders is that U.S. venture capital has moved over time from seed- and early-stage to more growth-oriented investment,” says Valentina Assenova, an assistant professor at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. “It's a lot more capital that's coming after startups are very scalable.”Accelerators, Assenova says, “reduce uncertainty during some of the riskiest phases of new company formation and development” by offering guidance and support to the founders. To identify the most outstanding hubs offering incubator and accelerator programs in the United States, TIME partnered with data company Statista on a multi-stage resear...