Definition
When a startup 'grows up' from an accelerator program or moves from seed to institutional funding, like leaving college but with more awkward Demo Days. Implies you're now playing with the big kids.
Example Usage
After graduation from the accelerator, three companies immediately raised Series A rounds from tier-one firms.
Origin
Borrowed from educational terminology by accelerator programs in the 2000s
Fun Fact
Less than 10% of companies that 'graduate' from accelerators successfully raise significant follow-on funding.
Source: Startup accelerator terminology
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “graduation” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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