How Accelerators Kill Startups: 9 Hard Lessons Every Founder Must Learn in 2025

Exclusive Insights from Venture Investor Aleksandr Kopylkov

Accelerators have long been a key launchpad for startups, providing funding, mentorship, and resources. But in 2025, their role in the ecosystem is evolving rapidly—sometimes in ways that don’t necessarily favor founders.

We sat down with Aleksandr Kopylkov, a seasoned investor and entrepreneur who has spent over two decades analyzing the startup landscape. He shares his expert insights on how accelerators are changing, the biggest risks founders face, and what investors should know about this evolving model.

The Harsh Reality: Not Every Startup Should Join an Accelerator

"Startups treat accelerators like a golden ticket, but that’s the wrong mindset," says Kopylkov Aleksandr. "An accelerator is just a tool—whether it helps you build something great or locks you into a bad deal depends on how you use it."

Many founders believe that joining an accelerator guarantees success. However, data suggests otherwise:

• According to a Startup Genome report, 90% of startups that graduate from accelerators still fail within five years.
• A CB Insights study shows that only 3% of Y Combinator startups reach unicorn status.
• The average equity dilution for early-stage startups in top accelerators has increased by 15% since 2023, raising concerns about long-term founder control.

So why do founders still rush into accelerators? The promise of funding, mentorship, and connections is appealing, but not all programs deliver equally, and some can even harm a startup’s growth.

9 Lessons Every Startup Must Learn About Accelerators

1. Think Big from Day One

"Startups that enter accelerators without a clear ambition to dominate their industry usually don’t last long," says Kopylkov Aleksandr. "If you’re not aiming for global impact, an accelerator will just teach you how to scale a bad idea."

A startup without big ambitions is like a soldier without dreams of becoming a general. Accelerators teach you how to scale, but they don’t teach you what’s worth scaling. Without a strong, market-driven vision, all the resources an accelerator provides will be wasted.

2. Take Full Advantage of Resources

Startups often focus only on funding, ignoring the mentorship, networking, and market insights accelerators provide.

"In 2025, specialization is key," says Kopylkov. "If you're in fintech, biotech, or AI, you need an accelerator that knows your industry inside out."

Programs like Plug and Play Fintech have built sector-specific expertise, giving startups not just capital but also insider access to the right partners, clients, and regulators.

3. Stay Focused—Or Fail Fast

One of the biggest mistakes founders make is trying to do too much at once. Accelerators can help refine a business model, but they can’t save a startup that lacks focus.

"Every year, I see startups enter an accelerator with a great idea and leave with five half-baked pivots," says Kopylkov Aleksandr. "Focus is the single biggest predictor of success."

4. The Rise of Virtual Accelerators

In 2025, the online accelerator model is booming, removing geographical barriers and allowing startups from smaller markets to compete on the global stage.

"The playing field is leveling," Kopylkov notes. "But just because you can join a Silicon Valley accelerator from your bedroom in Berlin doesn’t mean you should. Some things still require in-person connections."

5. AI is Running the Show

Leading accelerators are now using AI to optimize mentorship, track startup progress, and predict which startups will succeed or fail.

"Founders need to stop fighting AI and start using it," says Kopylkov. "AI-driven insights can tell you where to improve before investors even ask the question."

6. Corporate Accelerators: A Double-Edged Sword

Corporate-backed accelerator programs—run by companies like Google, Amazon, and Tesla—are blurring the lines between investment and acquisition.

"In some cases, a corporate accelerator is a launchpad," Kopylkov explains. "In others, it’s a Trojan horse—they ‘help’ you grow, then acquire you at a discount."

Startups must carefully review intellectual property agreements before joining these programs to avoid losing control over their technology.

7. The Power of Community

Even if a startup fails, the connections made in an accelerator can last a lifetime.

"Your first startup might crash, but the network you build could land you funding for your next one," says Kopylkov Aleksandr.

8. Beware of Equity Dilution

Some accelerators demand too much equity in exchange for limited value.

A 2024 case study from an edtech startup showed how founders gave up 40% of their company early on, only to lose control when investors pushed for short-term profits over product development.

"Raising capital is important, but giving away half your company before Series A? That’s just bad business," warns Kopylkov.

9. Align Your Expectations Before You Join

Many founders enter accelerators expecting one thing and leave disappointed.

"An accelerator’s job is to get startups investor-ready," says Kopylkov. "But if that doesn’t match your long-term vision, you’re in the wrong room."

The Future of Accelerators: What Investors Should Watch in 2025

For investors, the accelerator model is evolving, and understanding these changes is crucial.

• Increased Specialization – The best accelerators will focus on industry-specific startups rather than general tech.
• More Corporate Involvement – Expect more corporate-backed accelerators, but also more acquisitions disguised as funding rounds.
• AI-Powered Startup Selection – Investors should track which accelerators are leveraging AI to pick winners—they’ll likely generate better returns.
• Stronger Founder Terms – As competition grows, top accelerators may start offering better deal terms to attract the best startups.

"The accelerator game is changing fast," says Kopylkov. "For startups and investors alike, the winners will be those who adapt—not those who blindly follow the old model."

Top 5 Accelerators for 2025, According to Aleksandr Kopylkov

1. Y Combinator (USA) – The most famous accelerator, offering up to $500,000 in funding. Great for Silicon Valley startups, but highly competitive.
2. Techstars (Global) – Best for founders looking for strong mentorship and industry connections. The network is invaluable, but the programs are intense.
3. Station F (France) – Europe’s largest startup hub. A great place to enter the AI and fintech ecosystem, but less ideal for global scaling.
4. Plug and Play (Global) – Focused on corporate integration. Great for startups aiming to partner with large companies, but challenging for newcomers.
5. 500 Global (formerly 500 Startups) – Best for startups from emerging markets. Strong for global expansion, but scaling beyond early-stage funding can be tricky.

Conclusion: Use Accelerators Wisely

Startups need to approach accelerators strategically, not blindly. The right accelerator can be a launchpad, but the wrong one can lock founders into bad deals, dilute their ownership, or push them toward short-term exits.

For investors, understanding how accelerators are evolving in 2025 and beyond is critical. As industry specialization, AI-driven selection, and corporate accelerators reshape the market, those who adapt will thrive.

"An accelerator isn’t a magic wand—it’s a toolbox," concludes Kopylkov Aleksandr. "The real question is: do you know how to use it?"