Thinking about applying to a startup accelerator but not sure if it’s the right move? In this episode of the TxO Startup Hotline series, Kofi Ampadu, partner at a16z and head of TxO, breaks down what accelerators actually are—and what they’re not. He covers what to expect, how to evaluate if a program is worth the equity trade-off, and three key questions every founder should ask before applying.
Thinking about applying to a startup accelerator but not sure if it’s the right move?
In this episode of the TxO Startup Hotline series, Kofi Ampadu, partner at a16z and head of TxO, breaks down what accelerators actually are—and what they’re not. He covers what to expect, how to evaluate if a program is worth the equity trade-off, and three key questions every founder should ask before applying.
If you’ve heard mixed reviews about accelerators and are wondering whether they’ll really help your business, this one’s for you.
Timestamps:
00:00: Intro
00:30: Founder question
00:55: What a startup accelerator actually is
01:11: What accelerators are not
01:17: Common accelerator benefits (and trade-offs)
01:27: Three questions to ask before applying
01:50: Final advice for founders
📞 Got a question of your own? Call 1-844-DIAL-TXO and Kofi might answer it in a future episode.
The Talent x Opportunity initiative (TxO) at Andreessen Horowitz supports founders building cultural innovations through funding, training and ongoing mentorship. Learn more about a16z TxO and stay updated:
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