--- title: "University of Maryland Included in TIME’s America’s Best Incubators & Accelerators 2026 List" date: 2026-08-28T14:12:00-04:00 author: Jordan Dunklee canonical_url: "https://umdrightnow.umd.edu/news-releases/university-of-maryland-included-in-times-americas-best-incubators-accelerators-2026-list" section: News Releases --- News Releases # University of Maryland Included in TIME’s America’s Best Incubators & Accelerators 2026 List ![UMD campus aerial shot](https://omc-system.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/umdrn/CampusAerials_06052018_3527-1920x1080.jpeg?w=1920&h=1080&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1770151344&s=698d6023aeff9ed9547856aa81f033c2) August 28, 2026 ## Contacts Media Relations: **COLLEGE PARK, Md. —** The University of Maryland has been awarded on TIME’s list of America’s Best Incubators & Accelerators 2026. This prestigious award is presented in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The award list was announced on August 18th, 2026, and can be viewed on TIME.com. The America’s Best Incubators & Accelerators 2026 ranking awards the top 80 incubators and accelerators across the United States based on three key dimensions: - **Alumni Evaluations:** Feedback from more than 2,000 founders who participated in incubator and accelerator programs between 2020 and 2025. Alumni rated their overall experience through a general recommendation and assessed six key aspects, including mentoring and training, infrastructure, legal assistance, funding opportunities, networking, and business development advice. - **Track Record:** An evaluation of each incubator’s and accelerator’s measurable founder outcomes, based on the top five startups they reported from their programs. These startups were assessed using information provided by the organizations, complemented by Statista’s desk research drawing on publicly available sources such as official websites, presentations, and media coverage. - **Expert Recommendations:** Endorsements from startup investors and seasoned entrepreneurs, who recommended the incubators and accelerators they know and regard most highly. Based on the results of the study, the University of Maryland is honored to be recognized on TIME's list of America’s Best Incubators & Accelerators 2026! Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, relevant business data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys. ## About the University of Maryland The University of Maryland (UMD) is the state's flagship university driven by a community of more than 50,000 fearless Terrapins. As a leading research university and top 20 public institution, UMD is proud to be part of the Association of American Universities. Dedicated to excellence and impact for the public good, the university is propelled by a $1.4 billion joint research enterprise. UMD is the nation’s first Do Good campus, and is consistently ranked for its innovation, research and top-tier academic programs. Located in the National Capital Region, the university offers an unparalleled student experience with federal internship opportunities, hundreds of academic programs and study abroad options, and top-ranked living-learning programs. Spurred by a culture of innovation and creativity, UMD’s faculty are global leaders in their fields and include Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and members of the national academies. For more information about the University of Maryland, College Park, visit [umd.edu](http://umd.edu/)