So let's say that the hit rate for follow-on investments for a TechStars company is somewhere close to 70% (that's fairly accurate). That doesn't necessarily represent success, but it's a start. Y Combinator is probably better than that. Now let's say that a "lesser" accelerator's hit rate is maybe half that. Still a 35% chance of some measure of success. Now maybe there's a 10% chance by going the pure bootstrap route, maybe less. So taking the money--and the guidance--in whatever form, makes you maybe three times more likely to be able to do what you love for a fairly extended period of time. Not to mention the fact that oftentimes the accelerator provides free or discounted services for being a cohort company. Good legal for a deep discount, legal office hours, design consults, dinners with VCs, etc.
I can't speak for what Oxygen is doing, or whether they're providing these services or not. But many accelerators that aren't called Y Combinator or TechStars are, and though there won't be as many successes to come out of those, there no doubt will be some. There may even be one or two who attend, learn a bit, fail, and then come back to apply at one of the big dogs later down the road.
I can't speak for what Oxygen is doing, or whether they're providing these services or not. But many accelerators that aren't called Y Combinator or TechStars are, and though there won't be as many successes to come out of those, there no doubt will be some. There may even be one or two who attend, learn a bit, fail, and then come back to apply at one of the big dogs later down the road.