500 Global Flagship: funding, terms & how to apply
The most globally minded of the Valley accelerators — a 4-month Silicon Valley flagship batch drawing heavily on international founders, backed by a portfolio spanning 80+ countries.
Investment
$150K for 6% (less a $37.5K program fee)
Equity
6% equity
Program length
4 months
Format
In person
Deadlines
Recurring batches; applications close a few months before each
Acceptance rate
Not published
Facts last checked 2026-08-26. Deals and dates change — the official site is always the source of truth for the current application window.
What 500 Global Flagship actually is
500 Global (formerly 500 Startups) runs its flagship accelerator in Silicon Valley on a $150K-for-6% deal, with a $37.5K program fee netted against the investment. The 4-month program leans hard on growth and distribution — its historical specialty — and its portfolio is among the most internationally diverse in venture.
For founders outside the US, 500 is often the most accessible door into a Valley batch: the firm actively recruits internationally and runs regional funds and programs (including the Sanabil 500 MENA accelerator) that feed its network.
What they look for
The bar you need to clear before the application is worth sending.
Early but real traction — the program's growth focus assumes something to grow.
Global-market ambition; international founders are a feature, not an exception.
Coachable teams ready for structured growth experimentation.
A product with a working funnel to optimize, even a small one.
Before you apply
Most rejections happen before the interview — in the application itself
Every question 500 Global Flagship asks — problem, traction, business model, team, market size — maps to work you can finish first. Build your startup profile in StartupKit, run the readiness score, and walk into the application with real answers instead of blank fields. Free, no card.
Build your startup profile freeApplication FAQ
What is 500 Global's flagship deal?
$150K for 6% equity, with a $37.5K program fee deducted from the investment — so roughly $112.5K net cash, subject to final terms and diligence.
How is 500 different from YC?
Smaller check, similar equity, and a heavier emphasis on growth marketing and international founders. YC's network and demo day are stronger; 500's global reach and regional programs are broader.
Does 500 Global run programs outside the US?
Yes — regional accelerators and funds across MENA, Southeast Asia, and beyond, including the Sanabil 500 MENA Seed Accelerator in Riyadh.
Similar programs
Y Combinator
North America · 7% on the $125K; the $375K SAFE converts at your next round
The accelerator every other accelerator is measured against — $500K on founder-friendly terms, four batches a year in San Francisco, and the strongest alumni network in tech.
Techstars
Global · 5% common stock + SAFE conversion
The 'worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed' — mentorship-driven 3-month programs in 15+ cities, each with its own sector flavor and local investor bench.
Sanabil 500 MENA Seed Accelerator
Middle East & North Africa · Equity on 500 Global terms; exact % not published
500 Global's Riyadh batch, backed by PIF's Sanabil — the Valley accelerator playbook run twice a year for MENA founders, with $100K+ checks and Saudi market access.