Company builders are often essential to the growth and development of new ventures (and sometimes established businesses, too). These business incubators provide entrepreneurs and start-ups with crucial funding and guidance. With this funding and guidance, businesses can translate their innovative ideas into thriving enterprises that scale.
For this reason, company builders are often the architects of the business landscape, shaping the enterprises that go on to lead their respective industries.
From Techstars to Daniel Shin’s Fast Track Asia, these are the top 10 company builders in the world:
- Techstars.
- Agoranov.
- Venture Catalysts.
- DMZ.
- Venture Kick.
- Metavallon.
- Startup Wise Guys.
- Seedcamp.
- Startupbootcamp.
- Fast Track Asia.
1. Techstars (U.S.)
Techstars is the world’s largest pre-seed investor, with a total market capitalization of $99.6 billion. Founded in 2006, the U.S. company builder focuses mainly on tech-based startups.
Techstars has invested in companies like the cloud service provider DigitalOcean, customer engagement functionality provider Twilio (News - Alert), email marketing company SendGrid, and transportation conglomerate Uber.
Every year, Techstars selects more than 500 early-stage companies and invests up to $120,000 into each. Techstars also provides these companies with mentorship opportunities. Plus, the Techstars Global Entrepreneur Network connects entrepreneurs to a web of peers, mentors, business leaders, investors, and experts.
In addition, Techstars hosts several popular events, such as Startup Week and Startup Weekend.
2. Agoranov (France)
Agoranov is a Paris-based science and technology company builder. The incubator offers funding, mentorship, consultancy services, and office space to start-ups.
Founded in 2000, Agoranov has so far supported over 380 early-stage companies, chiefly in the software, biotechnology, and health care sectors. These startups have created more than 7,000 direct jobs and raised €700 million from private funds.
Some of Agoranov’s most notable exits include payment solution provider PayPlug, biopharma company GenSight Biologics, and security software company Cryptosense.
3. Venture Catalysts (India)
Many consider Venture Catalysts the number-one company builder for start-ups in India. Established in 2016, the company’s prolific portfolio includes India’s largest omnichannel for retail businesses Fynd, personal care product company Beardo, and donation-based crowdfunding platform ImpactGuru.
Venture Catalysts provides early-stage companies with:
- Venture capital, ranging from $200,000 to $2 million.
- Rich networking opportunities with industry innovators.
- Strategic guidance.
- Targeted mentoring.
- Specialized sector access.
Venture Catalysts works closely with Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft (News - Alert). The company builder’s top active industries include internet technology, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence (AI).
4. DMZ (Canada)
DMZ is an industry-leading tech company builder that is fuelling global innovation from its headquarters at Toronto Metropolitan University in Canada. The incubator predominantly supports software, information technology (IT), and health care start-ups.
Since launching in 2010, DMZ has supported 801 start-ups that have raised a total of $2.51 billion in seed funding and created more than 4,975 jobs. DMZ’s most notable exits include commercial insurance provider Zensurance, CMMS software provider Fiix Software, and online photo-sharing platform 500px.
UBI Global has ranked DMZ as the top university-based tech incubator in the world. To date, DMZ is the only Canadian company builder to achieve the number-one ranking in this category.
5. Venture Kick (Switzerland)
Founded in 2007, Venture Kick is a private philanthropic enterprise that propels Swiss start-ups into global markets. So far, Venture Kick has supported 917 early-stage companies, creating 11,362 active jobs. Together, these start-ups have raised nearly seven billion Swiss francs.
Venture Kick uses a three-stage funding model to help Swiss start-ups kick-start their success. In addition to providing capital, Venture Kick also offers start-ups professional guidance through its two-day “kickers camps.” Venture Kick entrepreneurs also get access to a powerful network of investors.
Venture Kick’s main industries of interest are health care, software, and IT. The incubator’s notable exits include biotech companies Bicycle Therapeutics and Versantis and live caption and transcription service Ava.
6. Metavallon (Greece)
Metavallon is a Greece-based company builder that invests in early-stage tech companies. Launched in 2011, Metavallon’s areas of interest include:
- Blockchain.
- Machine learning and AI.
- The Internet of Things.
- Big data and analytics.
Metavallon provides venture capital funding of up to €1.5 million, workspace in Athens, and hands-on support in areas like:
- Coaching.
- Consulting.
- Networking.
- Hiring talent.
Some of the companies Metavallon has built include the intelligent automation company Perceptual Robotics, UX research platform Useberry, AI-powered insect farm creator Better Origin, and ferry booking platform Ferryhopper.
7. Startup Wise Guys (Estonia)
Established in 2012 in Estonia, Startup Wise Guys is one of the world’s leading business-to-business (B2B) start-up accelerators. The company builder’s portfolio includes more than 370 portfolio companies that have raised a collective €359 million.
Startup Wise Guys hosts intensive three-month programs that provide invaluable guidance on how to grow a company. The business incubator also has an active peer community that spans five continents and a substantial mentor and investor network.
8. Seedcamp (England)
Based in London, Seedcamp identifies and invests in founders with tech-focused ventures that have the potential to disrupt global markets. The company also boasts its “Seedcamp Nation,” a thriving network economy of over 1,000 founders and experts.
Seedcamp’s angel co-investors have helped build and exit some of the world’s leading organizations, including Spotify (News - Alert), Apple, Skyscanner, and Gumtree.
Seedcamp’s portfolio features more than 470 start-ups. Among these start-ups are 10 European unicorns, including the:
- Banking services provider Revolut.
- Insurtech platform wefox.
- AI video generator Synthesia.
- AI-powered business automation platform UiPath.
In total, Seedcamp-supported founders have raised more than $7 billion in follow-on funding from top investors.
9. Startupbootcamp (Denmark)
Founded in Copenhagen, Startupbootcamp supports start-ups through its global network of more than 20 industry-focused programs. Each three-month program comes with funding, partner services, and six months’ access to free, collaborative workspace.
Since launching in 2010, Startupbootcamp has accelerated 1,494 start-ups. These start-ups’ founders have generated €1.8 billion in value, with an average funding of €1.5 million.
Startupbootcamp works with leading brands like Vodafone (News - Alert), Amazon Web Services, Cisco, MasterCard, and Intel.
10. Fast Track Asia
Fast Track Asia is a Singapore-based company builder that has generated its investors more than $800 million in equity value. Fast Track Asia provides the necessary capital and trusted networks for businesses to seize growth opportunities and enter strategic markets.
Some of the many consumer brands Fast Track Asia has built include:
- Goodoc. Acquired by Yello Mobile, the Goodoc app makes it easy to find doctors and hospitals.
- Foodfly. Sold to Delivery Hero, Foodfly is a food delivery service for premium restaurants.
- Fast Campus. Fast Campus is a skill-based education service for the digital age with more than $10 million in annual revenue.
- Fast Five. Fast Five is Korea’s leading shared office brand. The workspace-sharing company raised capital from TS Investment, ID Ventures, and Quantum (News - Alert) Equity Partners.
- Hello Nature. Sold to SK Planet, Hello Nature is an organic fresh food e-grocer.
- Day1 Company. Day1 Company is a leading education company that provides life-changing educational opportunities for career professionals.
Experienced business developer Daniel Shin co-founded Fast Track Asia in 2012. Several of Daniel Shin’s companies have helped revolutionize Asia’s e-commerce landscape.
In creating Fast Track Asia, Daniel Shin sought to provide innovative businesses with the capital to unlock growth and scale with purpose.
