The Accelerator Conundrum: The 1Mby1M Paradigm

The Accelerator Conundrum is a multipart series that challenges the prevailing wisdom of the tech startup ecosystem that entrepreneurs should Blitzscale out of the gate. Written by Sramana Mitra, the Founder and CEO of One Million by One Million (1Mby1M), the world’s first global virtual accelerator, it emphatically argues that a better strategy is to Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later, focus on customers, revenues and profits. 1Mby1M’s mission is to help a Million entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in annual revenue and beyond. Sramana’s Digital Mind AI Mentor virtually mentors entrepreneurs around the world in 57 languages. Try it out!

We’ve meticulously dismantled the prevailing myths and exposed the inherent flaws of the traditional 3-month equity-based accelerator. 

For too long, aspiring entrepreneurs have been fed a singular narrative: give up equity, sprint for 90 days, and hope for the best. 

It’s a model designed for the few, and it often leaves the many stranded, diluted, and disillusioned. 

But what if I told you there’s a profoundly different, demonstrably more effective, and far more entrepreneur-friendly path?

Consider the 1Mby1M (One Million by One Million) paradigm. 

This is not another batch-driven, fixed-term, location-dependent program designed to skim off your equity. 

This is a truly disruptive, fundamentally alternative approach to startup incubation and growth, built on principles of sustainability, global accessibility, and, critically, the preservation of founder equity.

Since 2010, 1Mby1M has been championing a model that understands the true, arduous journey of building a successful technology venture. 

It recognizes that entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint, and that real success stems from persistent iteration, frugal growth, and unwavering focus on product-market fit and revenue generation. 

We reject the notion that you need to surrender precious ownership for basic guidance. 

Instead, we offer a comprehensive, continuous ecosystem of education, mentorship, and a global community that empowers you to build without unnecessary dilution or manufactured pressure. 

This isn’t just an alternative. It’s a fundamental shift in how entrepreneurs should approach scaling their ventures in the 21st century. 

Prepare to rethink everything you thought you knew about startup acceleration.

Photo Credit: wal_172619 from Pixabay

This segment is a part in the series : The Accelerator Conundrum