Parallel18, part of Puerto Rico’s Science, Technology & Research Trust, ranked 21st out of 80 in TIME and Statista’s list of America’s Best Incubators and Accelerators for 2026, making it the only Puerto Rico organization on the list. The ranking evaluated incubators and accelerators using measurable startup founder outcomes, peer recommendations, and proven track records; parallel18 was chosen from over 200 applicants.
Lucy Crespo, the Trust’s chief executive, said the recognition validates parallel18’s founding vision and shows Puerto Rico has the talent and infrastructure to compete globally. The program has graduated more than 650 companies, 41.3% of them Puerto Rican, and distributed over $13.3 million in seed capital. In its 13th cohort alone, startups reported a combined valuation of $88.5 million and generated $1.95 million in revenue during their acceleration cycle.
Parallel18 executive director Héctor Jirau called the recognition gratifying, crediting his team’s work and the quality of entrepreneurs the program has supported, and said Puerto Rico has proven to be a vibrant innovation ecosystem.