The first accelerator, Y Combinator, was founded in 2005, with Techstars following in 2007. Today, there are an estimated 300 to 2,000 + accelerators spanning six continents, and counting. While accelerators are proliferating quickly, little is known regarding the value of these programs; how to define accelerator programs; the differences between accelerators, incubators, angel investors and co-working environments; and the importance of the various aspects of these programs to the ultimate success of their graduates, the local entrepreneurship ecosystems and the broader U.S. economy. 

Join us for an afternoon with Professor Yael Hochberg, Ralph S. O’Connor Professor in Entrepreneurship and Professor of Finance at Rice University, and Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship at Chicago Booth, as she shares her research about the impact of accelerators for entrepreneurs and their ecosystems, in addition to other trends in seed funding.