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Specialised startup accelerators seem to be the next logical step in startup evolution: mentors specialised in your field, sense of direction, capitalisation on

• jedc 16y ago
  I wrote a master's thesis on seed accelerators, and this was exactly my conclusion: http://blog.jedchristiansen.com/2009/09/21/copying-y-combinator-why-and-how/ http://blog.jedchristiansen.com/2009/09/21/copying-y-combina... http://blog.jedchristiansen.com/2011/02/23/looking-back-1-5-years-since-copying-y-combinator/ http://blog.jedchristiansen.com/2011/02/23/looking-back-1-5-... As you said, it's the next logical extension. The "Ivy League" of seed accelerators has largely been established. But other programs can become top-tier programs in their niche quite easily.
  • rdl 16y ago
    I'd love to see an accelerator focused around computer security (with a way to support both non-commercial or pre-commercial efforts, and productization and companies), and/or the defense/government sales segment. Healthcare might also be good; similarly regulated, with a lot of domain knowledge required. I think the drug discovery world is handled through academia, but medical devices and definitely software/systems are a weak area right now.
    • jedc 16y ago
      Exactly. There are a lot of niches that could use a specific startup accelerator. (One ideal example is anything where you have to manufacture "stuff"... thinking about the trials and travails of Wakemate.) While I'm sure PG would argue that YC partners have the capability and expertise to succeed if any of these kinds of companies came to YC, they would likely be better served by an accelerator focused on these markets and issues.