Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator

Choose the right offer

The four-month accelerator is the offer that takes equity and runs in New York City. ERA Global's Japan programme is for Japanese startups. Its SCALE programme is for global startups entering the US market. Check each offer's own page before you apply.

How applications work

• Applications for the Winter 2027 cohort are open. The stated deadline is 2 November 2026, and the programme starts on 11 January 2027.
• ERA says it welcomes applications from anywhere in the world, so founders outside the United States can apply.
• Before you apply, check that your company can become a US C Corporation. ERA will not invest in an LLC or a foreign entity without that change.
• ERA runs its programmes in person in New York City, so plan to be there for the four months.

What reviewers look for

• A team that has made a real commitment, with its key leaders full time on the company.
• A technology product, or a company with a significant technology component.
• Some progress on the product, even if you have not yet reached revenue. ERA does not reject companies for being early, but it wants to see the team and a clear vision.
• Technical co-founders are strongly preferred, because ERA wants companies that can make real product progress during the four months.

Good questions to ask ERA first

• Whether your company's structure fits its C Corporation requirement.
• What the in-person requirement means for your team.
• Which offer fits your stage and location.

Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator, known as ERA, is an accelerator in New York City that invests in early-stage technology companies and runs its programme from its office there. It was founded in 2011 and runs two four-month programmes a year.

How the programme works

ERA takes equity in each company it selects. Each selected company receives an investment on a post-money SAFE, which converts into equity at the company's next priced round, and the company then works from ERA's office for four months. The programme is built around mentoring: each company is matched with a lead mentor in its first week and keeps that mentor for the whole programme. Weekly KPI reviews, pitch practice, fundraising sessions and a CTO roundtable run alongside. The programme ends with a Demo Day for investors.

Who can apply

ERA looks for technology companies, or companies with a significant technology component. Most of its companies build software, whether business-to-business or business-to-consumer. Applicants from anywhere in the world are welcome, but the programme runs in person in New York City, selected companies must be US C Corporations, and the key leadership team must work full time on the company. ERA does not help with work visas. It does not invest in non-profit organisations.

Facilities

Companies on the programme are given free office space at ERA's New York City office, along with free or discounted cloud hosting credits and discounted services from ERA's partners in legal, finance and accounting.

Scale

ERA's pages give different counts. Its homepage says 400+ startups, while its Why ERA page refers to 375+ alumni companies. Its mentor numbers differ too: 500+ on the homepage, and 1,000+ in the expert network described on the Why ERA page. Check the current figures on its site before you rely on them. ERA also says its alumni companies have gone on to raise substantial investor capital.

Other programmes

ERA Global, which also runs under the ERA name, offers a Japan programme with JETRO for Japanese startups and a 12-week immersive programme in New York City for global startups. ERA Global also runs a one-week bootcamp and investor pitch event. These are separate from the four-month accelerator.

Events and office hours

ERA runs its programmes twice a year, starting in January and June, and it hosts founder events through the year. Its recent calendar included in-person founder networking and a Founders' Panel and Startup Pitch Night, along with pitch nights for fintech, health tech, AI and climate founders, a female founders event and an Ask Me Anything session with the ERA team. Virtual office hours are open for founders who want to talk to the team before applying. Events are listed on ERA's apply page.

Who runs it

ERA's managing partners are Murat Aktihanoglu and Jonathan Axelrod, and its team includes venture partners. ERA grew out of the Entrepreneurs Roundtable, a New York City community founded in 2007 that hosts free events for founders and investors.

Locations

The accelerator runs from New York City, and its programme is in person there.