10 WE PREFER TO FIND OUR STARTUPS VIA REFERRAL FROM OUR NETWORK ARE KING Like most investors, we find many of our best STARTUPBOOTCAMP 2016 SELECTION applicants through referrals from alumni, mentors, LESS THAN 3% OF STARTUPS THAT APPLY partners, and sta at other accelerators, in the ARE ACCEPTED Startupbootcamp family or otherwise. Last year, 27% of our cohort teams came via referral from mentors, alumni, investors, and Startupbootcamp staff. When 6,000+ compared to the total applicant pool, we were nearly Applications Initial Filter twice as likely to accept a startup we met through a personal referral. Particularly, referrals from Alumni and Mentors have the highest acceptance rate. Alumni and mentors have an intimate knowledge of the curriculums of our 1,000+ Video program, so can also be informative to talk to as you Interviews Virtual Eval explore acceleration options. However, if you don’t have a referral, don’t be discouraged. Our teams of analysts and scouts also reach out to suitable startups directly. Attending one of our FastTrack mentorship events, or meeting us 320 Selection during one of our office hours sessions can also be a 16.7% Interviews In-person Eval great way to get a leg up into the program without a referral. So how can you meet someone who can give you a 5.3% referral to one of our programs? Try reaching out to one of our alumni working in a similar space to 138 Enter you, or a mentor for one of our programs. If you’re 2.3% Program Enters Program polite and respectful in how you do so, they will likely be impressed by your hustle, and introduce you to program staff if they think you’d be a good fit.