# Pre-accelerator

Concept · [Programs and community](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/community)

Also called: preaccelerator, pre accelerator program, idea stage program

A program for people who have an idea but not yet a company or a product. It helps you test the idea and get ready for first customers or for an [accelerator](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/accelerator).

**For example:** Someone with a day job and an idea for a childcare app joins an evening pre-accelerator to interview parents and sketch a [first version](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/mvp).

## Connects to (9)

- [Accelerator](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/accelerator): A program with a fixed length that helps a group of early companies grow faster through coaching, introductions and sometimes funding.
- [Customer discovery](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/customer-discovery): Talking with possible customers to learn about their problems before you build, so that you build something they need.
- [MVP](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/mvp): Minimum viable product.
- [BUILD UP](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/build-up): Build in Tulsa's pre-accelerator programs for very early founders.
- [Incubator](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/incubator): A program or shared space that supports very early companies, often with desks, mentoring and community.
- [Cohort](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/cohort): A group of founders or companies that go through a program together, on the same schedule.
- [ACT House](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/act-house): A Tulsa accelerator with an investing arm.
- [E3](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/e3-bootcamp): i2E's free bootcamp for Oklahoma founders who are testing whether an idea can become a scalable company.
- [gener8tor](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/gener8tor): An accelerator company that runs programs in cities across the United States, including Oklahoma City.

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/pre-accelerator