# LVL1 Accelerator

> A startup accelerator and studio based in Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, working with early-stage founders across India since 2023. LVL1 runs four distinct programmes: a paid no-equity Startup School, an equity-based Accelerator, a co-building Startup Studio, and a success-fee Fundraising Support engagement. 25+ startups accelerated, 8 cohorts, 50+ mentors, 50+ investors in the network.

LVL1 is operated by Raone Global Management Private Limited. Applications are open to founders anywhere in India; all programmes run online, with an office in Chennai.

## Which programme fits which founder

- [Startup School](https://lvl1accelerator.com/startup-school/): Twelve weeks, online, for first-time founders taking an idea to a validated product and a first paying customer. Costs a ₹499 one-time review fee plus ₹12,000 per month for three months, charged only if accepted. LVL1 takes NO equity and NO success fee. Four live 1:1 mentor sessions a month, a curriculum with mentor-reviewed deliverables, sized for about ten hours a week. Open to students, working professionals, people between jobs and full-time founders.
- [Startup Studio](https://lvl1accelerator.com/startup-studio/): LVL1 co-builds the product with the founder. Equity-based. For founders who need building capacity, not just advice.
- [Accelerator](https://lvl1accelerator.com/accelerator/): Equity-based programme (under 5%) for startups with existing traction that need capital, a dedicated mentor and investor introductions. Full-time founders expected.
- [Fundraising Support](https://lvl1accelerator.com/fund-raise/): A hands-on engagement, not a cohort. LVL1 shortlists investors, makes introductions and works alongside the founder until the round closes. No upfront fee; a success fee applies only to funds raised from investors LVL1 introduced.
- [Validate your problem, free](https://lvl1accelerator.com/validate/): Founders submit a problem statement and LVL1 mentors give an honest read on whether it is real, before any money is spent.

## Startup School detail

- [Startup School programme page](https://lvl1accelerator.com/startup-school/): Full curriculum, pricing, FAQs. Three phases across twelve weeks: Validate (weeks 1 to 3), Build (weeks 4 to 7), Launch (weeks 8 to 12, ending in a first paying customer and a decision on what happens next). No fundraising or demo-day phase; the programme deliberately ends at product validation and revenue.
- [Startup School in Tamil Nadu](https://lvl1accelerator.com/startup-school-tamil-nadu/): The same programme framed for founders in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem and across the state. Everything runs online.
- [Membership Agreement](https://lvl1accelerator.com/startup-school-agreement/): The full terms a Startup School member accepts, including fees, cancellation, and the explicit no-equity, no-success-fee, founder-owns-all-IP clause.

## Location and eligibility

- [Startup accelerator in India](https://lvl1accelerator.com/startup-accelerator-india/): How LVL1 works with early-stage founders across India, and what to compare when choosing any accelerator.
- [Startup accelerator in Chennai](https://lvl1accelerator.com/startup-accelerator-chennai/): The Chennai and Tamil Nadu view, including the Guindy office.
- [How LVL1 works](https://lvl1accelerator.com/how-it-works/): The operating model across all programmes.

## Benefits and network

- [Partner perks](https://lvl1accelerator.com/perks/): 33 startup credit and discount programmes available to LVL1 founders, including AWS Activate, Google for Startups Cloud, Microsoft for Startups, DigitalOcean, Notion, HubSpot, GitHub, Razorpay and Freshworks. Founders request a perk from the portal and the LVL1 team confirms eligibility with the partner.
- [Portfolio](https://lvl1accelerator.com/portfolio/): Startups LVL1 has backed.
- [Mentors](https://lvl1accelerator.com/mentors/): The operator network founders work with.
- [Work for startups](https://lvl1accelerator.com/work-for-startups/): Open roles posted by LVL1 portfolio startups.

## Applying

- [Apply](https://lvl1accelerator.com/apply/): Chooses the right programme by stage, then routes to the correct form.
- [Contact](https://lvl1accelerator.com/contact/): connect@lvl1accelerator.com. Office (where the team works and meets founders): Plot 8, Willow Square, 9 & 10, 1st Street, Thiru Vi Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600032. Registered office of Raone Global Management Private Limited: Kochar Bliss, 4th Floor, Guindy Industrial Estate, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600032.

## Optional

- [Insights blog](https://lvl1accelerator.com/blog): Long-form guides for Indian founders on fundraising, MVPs, go-to-market and building in Chennai.
- [About](https://lvl1accelerator.com/about/) and [Team](https://lvl1accelerator.com/team/): Who runs LVL1.
- [Partner with LVL1](https://lvl1accelerator.com/partner-with-us/): For service providers and organisations.
- [Terms](https://lvl1accelerator.com/terms/), [Privacy](https://lvl1accelerator.com/privacy/), [Refunds](https://lvl1accelerator.com/refund-policy/).