Startup communities offer a unique link building advantage: they're specifically designed to support and promote member companies. Accelerators, incubators, startup networks, and entrepreneurial organizations actively link to portfolio and member companies.
For startups, community link building provides relevant, authoritative links while building valuable business relationships.
Why Community Links Work for Startups#
Community links offer specific benefits:
Built-in promotion: These organizations exist to support you—linking is natural.
High relevance: Links from startup-focused sites send appropriate signals.
Network effects: Community involvement leads to introductions and opportunities.
Ongoing value: Membership often means ongoing link maintenance and updates.
Multiple touchpoints: Single memberships yield multiple link opportunities.
Types of Startup Community Link Sources#
Accelerators and Incubators#
Accelerator programs actively promote portfolio companies:
Link opportunities:
- Portfolio company pages
- Batch/cohort announcements
- Demo day coverage
- Alumni directories
- Success story features
Top accelerators (high DA):
- Y Combinator (yc.co, ycombinator.com)
- Techstars (techstars.com)
- 500 Startups (500.co)
- Plug and Play (plugandplaytechcenter.com)
- Entrepreneur First (joinef.com)
Vertical accelerators:
- Healthcare: Rock Health, Blueprint Health, Dreamit Health
- Fintech: Barclays Accelerator, Finovate
- EdTech: Imagine K12, LearnLaunch
- Climate: Elemental Excelerator, Greentown Labs
Startup Networks and Organizations#
Professional networks for entrepreneurs:
Global networks:
- Founders Network
- Startup Grind
- Endeavor
- EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization)
Regional networks:
- Local startup associations
- State entrepreneurship organizations
- City-specific founder groups
Link opportunities:
- Member directories
- Event speaker pages
- Spotlight features
- Newsletter mentions
University Entrepreneurship Programs#
University startup ecosystems:
Opportunities:
- Startup competitions
- Accelerator programs
- Alumni founder databases
- Student company directories
- Mentorship program listings
Value: Often .edu domains with high authority
Co-Working Spaces#
Co-working and startup spaces:
Major operators:
- WeWork member directories
- Industrious community pages
- Regional co-working networks
Link opportunities:
- Member/resident company listings
- Community event pages
- Success story features
Investor Portfolio Pages#
VC and angel portfolio listings:
Opportunities:
- Portfolio company pages
- Investment announcements
- Success stories and exits
- Annual reports
Approach:
- Ensure all investors list you
- Provide updated company info
- Request feature opportunities
Getting Into Accelerators for Links (and More)#
Application Strategy#
Accelerator selection should consider link value alongside program quality:
High-value factors:
- Domain authority of accelerator website
- Quality of portfolio page
- Ongoing alumni engagement
- Media coverage of program
Application tips:
- Apply to programs aligned with your stage
- Demonstrate traction appropriate for program
- Show coachability and growth potential
- Reference connections to alumni if any
Maximizing Accelerator Link Value#
Once accepted:
During program:
- Ensure portfolio listing is complete
- Provide high-quality logo and description
- Update information as you progress
- Participate in linkable activities
Post-program:
- Maintain alumni connections
- Participate in alumni events
- Update success metrics for features
- Engage with newer cohorts
Building Links Through Startup Events#
Demo Days and Pitch Competitions#
Events create multiple link opportunities:
Before the event:
- Company listings on event pages
- Participant announcements
During the event:
- Live coverage and social media
- Press coverage of participants
After the event:
- Winner/participant pages
- Coverage recaps
- Video archives with company links
Conferences and Summits#
Startup conferences offer link opportunities:
As attendee:
- Attendee directories (some events)
- Social engagement opportunities
As speaker:
- Speaker pages with company links
- Session description pages
- Video/slide archives
As sponsor:
- Sponsor recognition pages
- Logo placement with links
- Press release inclusion
Finding Events#
[city] startup pitch competition
[industry] demo day
[city] entrepreneur conference
startup summit [year]
founder meetup [city]
Regional and Local Startup Ecosystems#
Local Startup Organizations#
Most regions have startup support organizations:
Types:
- Economic development agencies
- Startup support nonprofits
- Regional tech councils
- Small business development centers
Link opportunities:
- Company directories
- Success stories
- Resource pages
- Event participant listings
Chamber and Business Organizations#
Traditional business organizations increasingly support startups:
Opportunities:
- Member directories
- Young entrepreneur programs
- Innovation committees
- Event sponsorships
Government Startup Programs#
Government initiatives often list participating companies:
Federal:
- SBIR/STTR award recipients
- SBA programs
- Export assistance participants
State/Local:
- Innovation grants
- Tax incentive recipients
- Startup visa programs (where applicable)
Startup Media and Publications#
Startup-Focused Publications#
Publications covering startup ecosystems:
General:
- TechCrunch
- VentureBeat
- The Information
- Crunchbase News
Regional:
- Local tech news sites
- Regional business journals
- City-specific startup publications
Startup Databases and Directories#
Databases that list startups:
Major databases:
- Crunchbase
- AngelList
- PitchBook (via coverage)
- CB Insights (via coverage)
Niche directories:
- Industry-specific databases
- Regional startup lists
- Technology-focused directories
Building Your Community Link Strategy#
Audit Current Memberships#
Start by identifying existing opportunities:
Questions to ask:
- What accelerator/incubator were you part of? (check portfolio pages)
- What investors have you received funding from? (check portfolio pages)
- What organizations are you a member of? (check member directories)
- What events have you participated in? (check archives)
Prioritize New Memberships#
Evaluate new opportunities by:
Link value:
- Domain authority
- Link type (dofollow vs. nofollow)
- Page authority of directory page
- Traffic to listing pages
Business value:
- Network quality
- Program support
- Resource access
- Cost vs. benefit
Create Maintenance System#
Community links require ongoing attention:
Monthly:
- Verify listings are active
- Update information as needed
- Engage with community content
Quarterly:
- Review membership value
- Identify new opportunities
- Pursue feature opportunities
Annually:
- Comprehensive directory audit
- Membership evaluation
- Community strategy review
Measuring Community Link Success#
Link Metrics#
- Community referring domains: Total links from community sources
- Domain authority: Average DA of community sites
- Link diversity: Mix of accelerator, network, event links
- Geographic coverage: Local, regional, national sources
Engagement Metrics#
- Community involvement: Events attended, content contributed
- Network growth: Connections made through communities
- Opportunity flow: Introductions and leads from communities
Benchmarks#
| Source Type | Links Possible | Typical DA | |-------------|----------------|------------| | Top accelerators | 2-5 per program | 60-80+ | | Startup networks | 1-3 per membership | 40-60 | | Events/competitions | 1-2 per event | 30-60 | | University programs | 1-3 per program | 70-90+ | | Regional organizations | 1-2 per membership | 30-50 |
Common Community Link Mistakes#
Ignoring accelerator alumni status: Alumni pages often remain active for years—verify yours.
Incomplete profiles: Missing information means weaker listings.
One-and-done approach: Community link building requires ongoing maintenance.
Undervaluing local organizations: Regional links provide important geographic signals.
Skipping less prominent programs: Smaller accelerators often provide more attention and support.
What to Read Next#
- Product Launch Link Building - Maximize launch coverage
- Funding Announcement Links - Leverage funding news
- Link Building Strategies Hub - All industry strategies
Community link building aligns naturally with startup growth. The organizations designed to support you also link to you—focus on genuine engagement and the links follow.