Activate · Accelerator
An incredible program which gave me a powerful business toolkit, a new way to think about what I need to do to scale and commercialize my deep-tech invention, and an invaluable peer support network.
The List: Deep Tech Investors, Accelerators, Grants & Service Providers
Deep Tech Dirt is a free, founder-built database of 1,400+ deep tech investors, accelerators, grants, conferences, and service providers. Founders provide honest insights from their actual experiences. No sponsored placements, no pay-to-play, no PR gloss: just which ones are worth your time.
700 investors · 596 conferences · 70 accelerator, incubator, fellowships · 64 grants · 13 service providers
Looking for more insights? Ask founders who've been through it questions in the Forum, track application deadlines on the Calendar, or get the latest industry dirt from DTD News.
A sample of what's inside
Third Derivative · Accelerator
The Third Derivative program was one of the more productive accelerators we participated in.
Creative Destruction Labs · Accelerator
If you are a founder looking for direct feedback to improve your chances of success, this is the program for you.
VoLo Earth · Investor
Highly recommend for any founder looking for a lead investor at the Pre-Seed/Seed stage.
Ideaship · Investor
The team moved efficiently and was incredibly effective at the agreed-upon services they provided.
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The full list of 1,400+ investors, accelerators, grants, and service providers and every piece of founders intel is available for free when you join the community.
Get Started FreeFAQs from Deep Tech Founders
Which deep tech accelerators are actually worth it?
Hate to say it, but it depends. The key is to find a good fit. What do you need right now? If you're in the middle of hardware or wet-lab work, prioritize programs with fab/lab access and program length over pitch event publicity. If you're starting to think about raising private capital, the investor network matters more. The programs that founders rate highest for deep tech, e.g., Activate, Third Derivative, and Creative Destruction Labs, combine technical and commercial mentorship with investor networking. Sign up to see the full list, free.
Where do I find investors who actually fund deep tech?
Generalist VCs typically avoid the 5-10-year hardware development timeline. You need to find deep tech-native investors whose investment thesis aligns with your startup. The List tags every investor by stage, check size, and technical focus, with recent deals highlighted and founder notes on who writes checks versus who just takes meetings. Sign up to browse investors for free.
Are deep tech grants worth the paperwork?
Definitely. Non-dilutive money is the cheapest capital you'll ever raise. But you should only apply for grants where you are in the top 20% of applicants in terms of fit and competitiveness. The List helps you find grants with deadlines on the Calendar to help you avoid missing a deadline.