SC Capital Access

Incubators & Accelerators

An Incubator is "an organization designed to accelerate the growth and success of entrepreneurial companies through an array of business support resources and services that could include phsycial space, capital, coaching, common service, and networking connections. Business incubation programs are often sponsored by private companies or municipal entities and public institutions, such as colleges and universities. Their goal is to help create and grow young businesses by providing them with necessary support and financial and technical services. 

An Accelerator is "a professional services firm that offers consulting services to its clients. It is an organization that enables its client to grow in a sustainable way through the use of proven tools and methods that have been utilized to help many other companies grow." According to Paul Bricault, a cofounder of Amplify, stated, "An accelerator takes single-digit chunks of equity in externally developed ideas in return for small amounts of capital and mentorship. They're generally truncated into a three to four month program at the end of which the start-ups 'graduate.'" 

The difference between incubators and accelerators is that incubators bring in an external management team to manage an idea that was developed internally.