About

The Global Accelerator Network consists of independently owned and operated organizations that utilize a mentorship-based startup accelerator model. It provides networking opportunities, training, special perks, and ongoing support for members of the network.

Championed by TechStars, the Global Accelerator Network was created in 2010 under the management of top accelerator programs and alongside the White House’s Startup America Initiative. In the spirit of supporting more entrepreneurs around the world, the Network’s mission is to ensure that 5,000 successful and experienced entrepreneurs and investors will mentor and support 6,000 promising young entrepreneurs. The goal is to increase their success rate tenfold and create 25,000 new jobs by 2015 as well as a sustained engine for growing these figures over time.

Our vision for the Global Accelerator Network is to empower entrepreneurs and accelerators, resulting in an increase in the pace of innovation and the ability for more communities to cultivate entrepreneurial success. We believe the proliferation of this model is very positive for entrepreneurs, investors, and start-up ecosystems. By bringing programs together to create and share best practices, resources and knowledge, we can increase the success of member programs and improve entrepreneurial ecosystems across the globe.

The Global Accelerator Network is a proud supporter and partner of The Startup America Initiative, the White House’s program to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship.

Please contact us for information about our annual membership dues, questions about the Network or apply today to join the Network.

Management



Patrick Riley currently oversees the Global Accelerator Network which is an affiliation of short-term mentorship-driven accelerators started by TechStars. He started his career working for W.L. Gore and Associates and moved into the leadership of the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. Patrick left the Red Cross to manage the west coast sales and operations for a venture backed healthcare technology company. Following his passion to support start-up companies around the world, Patrick moved into his current role at the Global Accelerator Network. Outside of work, he recently finished his MBA at the University of Colorado and enjoys spending time with his wife, bike riding, traveling, and skiing around Colorado.

Advisory Board



Jon Bradford is the MD and co-Founder of Springboard, an acceleration program based in Cambridge and London. He is also the Co-Founder of ignite100, Europe’s first £1m accelerator and TexDrive based in Moscow. In a past life, Jon was an accountant and VC.


David Cohen is the founder and CEO of TechStars, a mentorship-driven seed stage investment program for Internet startups. Previously, he was a founder of several software and web technology companies. He is an active startup advocate, advisor, board member, and technology advisor. He co-authored Do More Faster.


Gabriella Draney is co-founder and Managing Partner of Tech Wildcatters. Most recently she was with HP Growth Partners, an early stage venture fund in Dallas. She co-founded an aircraft scheduling software company in 1998 that ended in a profitable exit. She went on to work for Morgan Stanley in private wealth management.


Cyril Ebersweiler is a venture partner at SOSventures and the founder of the first mentorship-driven seed funding program in China, Chinaccelerator. He just founded HAXLR8R, an accelerator for hardware-related startups. He is mentoring at TechStars, 500startups and OnLab, at the board of several startups and advises some others in Boston, San Francisco, Beijing and Shanghai.


Alex Farcet is the co-founder and CEO of Startupbootcamp, a European startup accelerator with programs in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin and soon Berlin and London. He is a partner at Rainmaking, a startup factory with operations in the Nordics, UK and Germany and he is also a hyper active Startup Weekend organizer.


Troy Henikoff is the co-foundera and CEO of Excelerate Labs as well as a seasoned entrepreneur who has built multiple successful technology-based businesses from the ground-up over a 20+ year period. With one foot firmly rooted in technology and the other firmly rooted in business he seamlessly bridges the divide between business and technology to create profitable organizations quickly. Troy excels in situations where innovation and creativity are required to solve real business problems.


Hugh Mason is an entrepreneur, mentor, and investor. He is the co-founder and CEO of JFDI.Asia, a seed accelerator that connects people, communities and cash to make ideas real. In 2009 he relocated to Singapore, where he is also Adjunct Professor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia.

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