As a startup looking to join a corporate accelerator, it can be pretty daunting to approach the big guys. However, with this comprehensive road map, you’ll be able to start on your journey towards a corporate partnership.

Pick Your Problem

Corporate accelerators are very specific in the needs they are trying to meet. With bountiful resources and a gargantuan network, these accelerators are still looking for the right niche to make a difference. Make sure you pick which corporate accelerator you’re interested in based on what problem your company solves.

Build Your Team

A great idea will go nowhere without a drive team behind it. You can have all the capital in the world, but without employees that can get the job done right, no corporate accelerator is going to look in your direction. Build a team that can

Understand Your Story

This is true of any startup looking for success. Understanding your story is the most effective way to get and keep the attention of a corporate accelerator, as they’ve been around the block more than a few times. Figure out what makes you different.

Have a Product

J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter on a napkin, but that doesn’t mean you can do the same when applying for a corporate accelerator. You need to have an actual product that you can properly demonstrate, as interviewers will want to see what it can do in real life.

Get Ready to Interview

Similar to applying for an actual position, large corporations are defined by their lengthy interview process. Be prepared to endure not one, but many different interviews with scores of different managers, employees, and even executive members of the company.

Reap the Benefits

It’s no secret that joining a corporate accelerator is good for your company. But what kind of benefits do startups in these programs enjoy? Capital and resources are the obvious ones, but startups also enjoy mentorship, inside information, and networking opportunities that would go unutilized without this kind of partnership. Read more about startup accelerators on TechCo Photo: Flickr / Nick Bastian