This week brings three high-signal application deadlines spanning pre-seed through growth-stage companies. Whether you are still searching for a co-founder or already raising a seed round, at least one of these programs deserves a spot on your calendar.
Pre-Seed
- Antler (apply by Sep 30, 2026): Designed for pre-team founders who need a co-founder match and a first cheque to get started. Ideal for solo founders with strong domain expertise who are not yet paired up. Apply here
- Entrepreneur First (apply by Oct 15, 2026): A talent-first program focused on co-founder matching before a company is formed. Best suited for ambitious individuals with deep technical or commercial skills who want to build from scratch. Apply here
Seed
- Y Combinator Winter 2027 (apply by Sep 25, 2026): Open to companies at all stages, with particular interest in AI, hard tech, fintech, and climate. YC accepts teams at a wide range of maturities, but seed-stage companies with early traction and a clear thesis tend to stand out. Apply here
Series A
No Series A-specific programs have open deadlines this week. Founders at that stage should monitor announcements from growth-focused funds and operator-led accelerators over the coming weeks.
How to Prioritize
If you do not yet have a co-founder, start with Antler or Entrepreneur First since both programs are structured around helping you find the right partner before committing to a product direction. If you already have a team and early signals of product-market fit, the Y Combinator deadline on Sep 25 should be your immediate focus, as it is the soonest closing and carries the broadest network benefit across AI, climate, fintech, and hard tech verticals.