Methodology

The Batchwise score (0–100) uses only facts from official program pages, checked Oct 16–17, 2026. If a figure isn't published, we leave it blank and never estimate it.

Who gets ranked

Only programs that invest cash on published terms. Programs that give only credits, perks or mentorship (e.g. Google for Startups, AWS, NVIDIA Inception, Microsoft for Startups, Plug and Play, MassChallenge, CDL, StartX) are listed separately and not ranked, so a credits-only program can never outrank a cash deal. Programs that invest cash but don't publish fixed amount and equity terms (e.g. HF0, IndieBio, PearX, Seedcamp) are also listed separately.

1. Terms (0–60)

For equity deals: implied post-money = upfront cash ÷ fixed equity %. Score = 10 + 6 × implied post-money in $M, clamped to 10–60. Uncapped MFN SAFE portions (YC $375K, Techstars $200K, Antler $150K) and follow-on commitments (speedrun, SPC) are shown in the terms detail but left out of the formula, because how much equity they convert into isn't known at signing. Equity-free cash grants (e.g. MIT delta v) get a flat 30.

2. Transparency (0–20)

5 points each for publishing: investment amount, equity %, program length, next deadline.

3. Outcomes (0–20)

10 points if the program publishes a cohort-level outcome figure (e.g. capital raised by alumni), plus 5 points per notable alumnus named on its official pages (max 10). Planned next step: replace this with a measured follow-on rate (share of a cohort that raises a seed or Series A within 24 months).

Limitations

Fees, pro-rata rights and perks aren't scored. Terms are often program-specific (Techstars city programs, Flat6Labs, Startupbootcamp). Featured (paid) listings never affect score or rank.

Deadlines

A deadline is shown only if it is printed on the program's official page (or its official application portal or announcement). Statuses: Open (dated deadline in the future), Rolling (the official page says applications are reviewed on a rolling basis or have no deadline), Closed – next TBA (the last published deadline has passed and no new date exists yet), and Not published (we couldn't confirm a date). Pages are re-fetched weekly with scripts/check_deadlines.py, and every change is reviewed by a person before it goes live.

Program profiles & the fit quiz

Location, region, verticals, stage and remote format are recorded only when the program's official page states them. If it doesn't, the field says Unconfirmed. The fit quiz removes a program only when a confirmed fact breaks your answers (for example, a published equity stake above your limit, or a confirmed in-person-only format when you need remote). Unconfirmed facts never exclude a program. They score neutrally, and the result is labelled “Unconfirmed: …” so you know what to check.