Startup:

A startup is a fairly new entrepreneurial venture or company which aims to meet a marketplace need by developing or offering an innovative product, process or service.

Incubators:

An incubator is an organisation in a technology/management school or an independent setup that helps early stage startups launch their business and grow by providing services such as work space, management training, captive mentor pool, access to technological services etc.

Accelerators:

An accelerator is an organisation, either an independent organisation or a corporate program that supports early-stage companies through intense immersive education, mentorship, and financing. Startups enter accelerators for fixed time periods and graduate as established, robust companies which are ready to scale. Its objective is to accelerate the growth of the portfolio batch startups in a short period of time.

Mentors:

Mentors (experienced individuals typically from the same industry) guide the less experienced startups with best practices, management tools, industry connections, etc.

Angel Investors:

These seed or early stage investors typically put in a small amount of money as the assumed risk is very high. They are usually affluent or high net worth individuals.

Venture Capitalists/Private equity:

These companies typically invest in growth and late stages of a company’s lifecycle. Since they are firms /professional investors they also provide access to legal, accounting and networking support.

Resources and Tools:

Organisations such as research institutes and universities help startups familiarise themselves with business terminology, gain industry insights, learn to develop business plans and pitch to investors, strengthen their legal and financial knowledge, etc.