What is a startup accelerator?
Generally speaking a startup accelerator is a structured program that provides seed capital and structured mentoring over a 3 month period to help startups get up and running and ultimately succeed.
Who should consider using a startup accelerator?
Anyone who has a startup they'd like to work on and could do with some money, some focused mentoring and some time to see if that startup has any legs before putting too much effort in. At their heart, Accelerators are really about removing excuses for startup entrepreneurs and the benefits flow on long after the program ends too, as alumni and mentors maintain relationships long into the future. If that sounds good, then a startup accelerator might be for you.
Who are the biggest startup accelerators at the moment and why are they special?
Y Combinator - the original startup accelerator - based in Silicon Valley
TechStars - have taken the model to another level, making it applicable across various cities and countries and focussing heavily on community building
SeedCamp - a Pan-european accelerator that operates on a slightly different model to the above 2 but that is doing great things
What can you tell us about PushStart? How will it be different from the above?
At a high-level, PushStart is similar to these other accelerators but that doesn't mean it's the same. The point of accelerators is that while building startups they also help to build local startup communities, therefore the local nature of each program makes it different to others around the world. That having been said, PushStart is different to the above in that not only are we going to be running a program for 3 months, but we're trying to take some of the key things that make accelerators so effective at building communities and make them available over 365 days a year to the whole community.
Tell us about yourself. Why you're starting PushStart?
I've been involved in the Sydney startup community for over 10 years through my own startups, running community events and tech blogging. I'm a big fan of the Australian tech startup industry and feel that if I can connect the many excellent people I've met over the years, with newer tech entreprenuers, in a way that is completely focused on building the local community, that great things will happen.
When will PushStart launch?
PushStart will launch in March 2011. The Accelerator is scheduled for later on in the year
Why are you using DesignCrowd to get your logo design?
PushStart is all about using the power of community to achieve the best outcomes. That aligns perfectly with DesignCrowd's model. On top of that, we're all about supporting the Australian tech startup community and DesignCrowd is one of the shining lights of that at the moment.
Written by DesignCrowd on Thursday, February 24, 2011
DesignCrowd is an online marketplace providing logo, website, print and graphic design services by providing access to freelance graphic designers and design studios around the world.
