Everyone talks about how accelerators and incubators help startups — but what if they’re actually the biggest beneficiaries of the system?
In this episode, we unpack the not-so-sexy side of the startup ecosystem: where the VC money really goes, who’s taking the lion’s share, and why some founders are just picking up the crumbs. If you’ve ever joined an accelerator, applied to one, or questioned why you’re still bootstrapping after “support,” this one’s for you.
💡 Are accelerators empowering entrepreneurs or just leveraging their hustle? Let’s talk exploitation, equity, and who actually wins.
👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments. Have you felt exploited or empowered?
#StartupTruths #AcceleratorExposed #FounderLife #VentureCapital #StartupEcosystem #TechInAfrica #StartupGrind #PitchReality #IncubatorTrap #BuildInPublic
If founders could build, what would business support look like?
Trusted to build a solution, what would founders create? Would it still be called an accelerator or an incubator — or would it become something else entirely?
Just finished building and we are 100% bootstrapped. Its just an mvp now. I had done research about incubators, and after watching this i feel like we made the right decision.
What does a failed company have to do with one getting funding from an accelerator? smh didn't get the connection
from Nigeria and a new sub
These incubators and accelerators are just scavengers, circling the startup kills waiting for the VCs to eat their fill and then come in.
They charge significant equity stakes for knowledge you can obtain online, from your board, or from a book.
Same problem here in the US just wasted 6 months networking and building relationships at a startup accelerator only for them to not ipen a new cohort
It's annoying how all the start-up incubators within Kenya 🇰🇪 that I've seen only work to grow or connect themselves to existing spaces most commonly Finfech brands.
As an entrepreneur within sports, I always get dropped at the pre-check phase as I "don't qualify."
That said, thanks for revealing this growing scheme…
Great, great podcast indeed. Thanks for the hustle to put all these information together. It's one of the best ways to educate the public on what reality looks like. Keep it up
Some VC intentionally miss the promising startup … because they know once the 'poor' startup wins the funding ..they won't reach a certain milestone .. hence they keep the money