Running an accelerator is like building a launchpad for startups. You bring in promising founders, provide them with resources, mentorship and funding opportunities and prepare them for rapid growth. But once they graduate, how do you measure whether your program actually made a difference?

Did the startups raise funding? Did they grow their revenue? Did they survive beyond the first year? Or did they disappear as soon as the program ended?

Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) is the only way to understand your accelerator’s impact. But here’s the thing: not all accelerators measure success the same way. A corporate-backed accelerator will prioritize industry partnerships, while a university-backed accelerator program might focus on the innovation being spun out of the University.

The key to measuring success is to track the right numbers. Let’s break it down. 

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What makes a KPI valuable?

A good KPI isn’t just a vanity metric. Just because a startup raises millions in funding doesn’t mean it’s on the path to long-term success. And just because an accelerator graduates a high number of startups doesn’t mean those companies are thriving.

A useful KPI answers two questions:

1. Is the accelerator making a measurable impact on the startups’ success? Are they securing funding, gaining traction or growing revenue at a meaningful rate?
2. Is the accelerator meeting the expectations of its funders and stakeholders? Are investors, corporate partners or government backers seeing a return on their investment?

Without these insights, you’re flying blind. You might be investing resources in areas that don’t matter while missing critical weaknesses in your operations.

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The most common KPIs for accelerators

While every accelerator has its own priorities, there are a few KPIs that are commonly tracked across many programs:

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1. Follow-on funding

Funding is often the first thing people look at when measuring startup success. If your startups are securing investment after the program, it’s a sign that your accelerator has prepared them well. The challenge is tracking it effectively.

📊 How to measure it:

• Scheduled follow-ups at 3, 6 and 12 months via surveys or check-ins.
• Investor network insights to verify funding rounds.
• Automated tracking using Acterio, Airtable or HubSpot.
• Founder incentives like continued support or PR exposure for reporting updates.

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2. Startup survival rate

Not every startup will succeed, but an accelerator’s job is to improve their odds. Are your graduates still in business two years later or did they shut down right after demo day? A high survival rate indicates that startups are gaining lasting benefits, increasing your program's credibility with funders and future applicants.

📊 How to measure it:

• Perform regular follow-up surveys (every 6-12 months) to confirm business status.
• Use platforms like LinkedIn, Crunchbase or PitchBook to validate ongoing operations.
• Maintain direct relationships with alumni through alumni events or community networks for accurate reporting.

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3. Revenue growth

Unlike raising capital, revenue growth is direct proof that a startup’s business model works. It shows real demand, sustainable traction and the ability to generate cash without giving up equity. 

📊 How to measure it:

• Collect baseline data at the start of the program to track changes over time.
• Require quarterly revenue updates for the first 12 months post-program to measure growth.
• Use financial tracking tools like Xero, QuickBooks or Stripe for real-time reporting.

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4. Founder & mentor engagement

An accelerator’s reputation and long-term success depend on how engaged both founders and mentors are. Founders who actively participate gain more investor exposure, stronger mentor relationships and better business outcomes, leading to higher survival rates and faster growth. At the same time, engaged mentors are critical. If they’re unresponsive or unavailable, startups miss out on valuable guidance, reducing the program’s overall impact.

📊 How to measure it:

• Track session attendance to see if founders are actively participating in workshops, pitch days and networking events.
• Monitor mentor meeting frequency to ensure startups are scheduling and attending key advisory sessions.
• Assess mentor responsiveness by tracking how often mentors accept meetings, provide feedback and engage with startups.
• Collect founder feedback on mentorship quality to refine mentor selection and improve program effectiveness.
• Survey mentors regularly to understand their level of commitment and identify those who are highly engaged versus those who may need to be replaced.

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5. Alumni involvement

One of the biggest signs of a high-impact accelerator is when past participants return as mentors, investors or partners. If your alumni are coming back to support new cohorts, it means they see real value in your program.

📊 How to measure it:

• Track mentorship participation by monitoring how many alumni return as mentors or guest speakers.
• Analyze event attendance to see how many alumni join demo days, networking events or panel discussions.
• Monitor platform activity if using a Slack group, online forum or CRM to track engagement in discussions and resource sharing.
• Survey alumni annually to assess how many still leverage the accelerator’s resources, connections or funding network.
• Track investment or partnerships by seeing how many alumni invest in, collaborate with or hire from newer cohorts.

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Gathering KPIs directly from startups

One of the biggest challenges in tracking accelerator success is collecting data from startups after they graduate. Even if they benefited from the program, founders are often too busy running their businesses to respond to surveys or provide updates. Without this data, it becomes difficult to demonstrate your accelerator’s long-term impact to funders.

📊 How to improve startup data collection:

• Build an engaging alumni network: Create value for alumni through networking events, exclusive resources or continued mentorship to encourage long-term participation.
• Use centralized communication channels with automated follow-ups: Use Acterio to schedule automated check-ins through announcements at 3, 6 and 12 months post-program - getting delivered in their email inboxes too!
• Offer incentives: Encourage updates by providing PR exposure, continued investor introductions or access to program perks in exchange for KPI reporting.

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Keeping startups engaged ensures you get the data needed to track success, refine your accelerator and secure continued funding.

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Why different accelerators need different KPIs

‍Now, while the KPIs above are important for most of the accelerators, not every program measures success the same way. 

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Corporate accelerators

There are two main types of corporate accelerators, each with distinct KPIs based on their goals:

1. In-house corporate accelerators
If you run an in-house corporate accelerator, success is measured by how effectively startups contribute to your company’s strategic goals. The key is tracking tangible outcomes that demonstrate real business impact. The primary audience for the KPIs is the internal stakeholders who fund and support the program.

How to measure success effectively:

• Regularly report the number of startup solutions that the company directly integrates into its operations or product lines.
• Document successful pilots and partnerships between business units and startups, including financial impact or cost savings.
• Maintain detailed records of intellectual property generated (patents, proprietary innovations) to highlight internal innovation.

2. Accelerator companies running corporate-sponsored programs

If you run an accelerator on behalf of a corporate partner, KPIs should showcase the accelerator’s ability to attract startups that deliver strategic value to the corporate partner. The primary audience is the corporate sponsor, as well as potential future partners.

How to measure success effectively:

• Track and report pilot programs and strategic partnerships launched between startups and the corporate partner.
• Gather case studies or testimonials showing direct benefits or measurable results from these partnerships.
• Demonstrate the value startups generate for the corporate partner through integration rates, collaborative projects or industry leadership positioning.

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Clearly communicating these outcomes helps secure continued investment from current corporate sponsors and attracts new potential partners.

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University-based accelerators

If you are a university accelerator, your success is measured by how well you position your institution as a leader in innovation and research commercialization. To build prestige and maintain your university’s reputation at the forefront of entrepreneurship, track KPIs that demonstrate your impact on turning academic research into successful startups, attracting top talent and securing industry partnerships:

• Regular alumni check-ins: Use surveys or interviews every 6-12 months to determine whether startups continue operating and progressing.
• Tracking research commercialization: Collaborate closely with the university’s research departments to monitor how many research projects have transitioned into viable startups.
• Monitor alumni mentorship digitally: Implement platforms like Slack, CRM systems or alumni portals to document how often alumni mentor new founders, share resources or form collaborations.
• Use third-party databases: Leverage external sources such as Crunchbase, LinkedIn or PitchBook to independently verify startup progress, funding rounds and commercial milestones.

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Industry-specific accelerators

When tracking KPIs for industry-specific accelerators, think about why funders and partners are investing in your program. Often, they’re interested in seeing proof that startups are actively solving real-world industry problems.

For instance, if you’re running a fintech accelerator, funders want evidence that your startups can successfully pilot solutions with banks or financial institutions. In healthcare, showing that startups have formed valuable partnerships with hospitals demonstrates real-world viability.

These KPIs matter because they clearly communicate your accelerator’s effectiveness in driving practical outcomes. By providing concrete evidence such as the number of pilot programs or strategic partnerships, you can convince current partners to continue funding your program and attract new industry-aligned sponsors who want measurable proof of impact.

To track these KPIs:

• Identify which communication channels startups prefer for providing updates. It can be  email, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Slack or a community platform like Acterio.  Establishing their preferred method early in the program will ensure smoother follow-ups later.
• Regularly follow up with startups and industry partners to document successful pilots or partnerships.
• Collect detailed case studies or testimonials that highlight real business value from these collaborations.
• Clearly present these results to your existing and potential funders, demonstrating why continued or increased investment in your accelerator makes sense.

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Government-funded accelerators

Government-funded accelerator programs need to track KPIs related to job growth, regional economic development and successful public-private partnerships. Demonstrating positive outcomes in these areas helps justify continued government funding by showcasing the economic advantages of these programs.

To measure this:

• Regularly collect data on the number of new jobs created by startups during and after the program.
• Track startups’ locations post-acceleration to show how many remain in the local economy and continue contributing economically.
• Document partnerships between startups and public or regional businesses, highlighting tangible outcomes like joint projects, grants or community initiatives.

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Social impact accelerators

Social impact accelerators must track KPIs that prove measurable progress, ensuring continued funding. Key metrics include the number of people impacted (e.g., access to clean water, healthcare or education), CO₂ reduction or environmental benefits, revenue from impact-driven sources like grants or sustainability-focused customers and the scalability of impact as startups expand services. Public-private partnerships with NGOs or government bodies also signal long-term success. These metrics directly align with funder expectations, demonstrating tangible, lasting change.

To effectively track and showcase this data:

• Conduct regular surveys (every 6-12 months) to record the number of new jobs created by alumni startups after graduation.
• Implement geographic tracking through follow-up questionnaires or platform analytics to confirm if startups remain active in the local area and contribute to regional economic growth.
• Monitor public-private collaborations by regularly communicating with local government agencies and businesses, verifying partnerships or projects launched with startups.

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How to define the right KPIs for your accelerator

If there’s one thing to take away from this, it’s that KPIs should match the accelerator’s purpose.

Choosing the right KPIs starts with understanding who your accelerator serves and what outcomes matter most. Instead of tracking generic metrics, focus on what drives funding, attracts top startups and improves your program.

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1. Align KPIs with funder expectations

Your funders: corporations, governments, VCs or private investors determine whether your accelerator continues running. Their priorities should dictate your KPIs.

• Corporate sponsors care about startup partnerships, technology adoption and innovation impact.
• Governments prioritize job creation, local economic growth and business sustainability.
• VCs focus on follow-on funding, high-growth startups and exits.

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If your KPIs don’t prove value to funders, you risk losing financial support.

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2. Track what attracts new funders

To secure new funding sources, show results that align with their interests.

• If targeting corporate investors, track successful pilots, tech integrations and partnerships.
• For impact-driven funders, measure social impact, diversity stats and community reach.
• If looking for more VCs, highlight funding rounds, revenue growth and exit potential.

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Data that proves ROI makes your accelerator an attractive investment.

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3. Use KPIs to attract top startups

Top founders join accelerators that offer a clear path to growth and real financial impact. To attract the best startups, you need to prove how your program fuels success: from early-stage development to scalable growth. Clearly articulate your accelerator’s journey: "Taking companies from point A to point B" - whether that means securing investment, validating a product or scaling into new markets.

• Startup success rate (funding, revenue growth, exits) proves your accelerator works.
• Investor participation in demo days signals access to capital.
• Total capital invested: Showcase how much funding is raised through the accelerator, including direct investments, grants or investor commitments.
• Alumni engagement (mentorship, funding, partnerships) shows a strong network.

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4. Define KPIs based on your goals

Instead of choosing random metrics, ask:

• Who funds us and what do they need to see?
• What results will attract new funders?
• What makes our program valuable to top startups?
• How do we optimize our accelerator for better outcomes?

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Your KPIs should directly answer these questions. Anything else is a distraction.

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Using Acterio to track KPIs and streamline reporting

Manually tracking accelerator KPIs can be overwhelming. With multiple startups, mentors, investors, events happening at once and no streamlined tool, keeping up with every metric is a challenge. That’s where Acterio comes in  - a powerful accelerator management software designed to help program managers track data, analyze performance and generate reports effortlessly.

Acterio takes the guesswork out of measuring success by offering real-time analytics and automated reporting, ensuring that accelerator managers have the insights they need without spending hours on spreadsheets.

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How Acterio helps track key accelerator KPIs

1. Deal flow tracking: Monitor startup applications, acceptance rates and progress through a centralized dashboard.
2. Founder & mentor engagement: Track one-on-one meetings, event participation and mentor involvement to measure engagement levels.
3. Startup progress tracking: Measure funding raised, revenue growth, product launches and hiring metrics to assess long-term success.
4. Automated reports & insights: Generate real-time reports on startup performance, funding and mentor impact—no manual tracking needed.
5. Automated announcements & email notifications: Schedule automated follow-ups with startups and mentors to collect updates on key metrics, ensuring timely and accurate KPI tracking.

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Why use Acterio?

• Saves time by automating KPI tracking and reporting.
• Provides clear insights into startup success, mentor impact and accelerator effectiveness.
• Helps make data-driven decisions to refine and improve your program.
• Creates transparency for stakeholders, including investors, corporate partners and government backers.

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For any accelerator serious about measuring and improving its impact, Acterio is a game-changer.

Want to try it yourself? Contact us today and get a demo!

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FAQs

1. What’s the most important KPI for an accelerator?

There’s no single best KPI for all accelerators. However, follow-on funding, startup survival rate and revenue growth are commonly used to measure success. Corporate accelerators might prioritize industry partnerships, while social impact accelerators focus on community engagement and measurable social outcomes.

2. How often should accelerators review KPIs?

KPIs should be tracked continuously throughout the program. Monthly check-ins help monitor startup progress, while a full performance review should be done at the end of each cohort to assess the overall effectiveness of the accelerator.

3. What tools can help track accelerator KPIs?

Tools like Acterio, Google Sheets, Airtable, HubSpot and Salesforce can be used to monitor startup performance, engagement and funding progress. Acterio, in particular, is designed specifically for accelerators to automate KPI tracking and reporting.

4. Can accelerator success be measured beyond funding?

Absolutely. While funding is a key metric, customer acquisition, revenue growth, partnerships, job creation and product development milestones are equally important indicators of success.

5. How can accelerators improve their KPIs over time?

Accelerators can improve KPIs by refining their selection process, ensuring strong mentor engagement, providing better resources and networking opportunities and continuously analyzing past performance data to make informed program adjustments.

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