Ask HN: What is the best way to get into a good startup accelerator program?

They look at:

  - qualities of the founder/team
  - the product you're pitching
  - traction (growth rate, # paying clients, etc)

If you're at the idea stage, stress how you can monetize, and how much the costs are to get to a proof of concept / prototype. Most importantly, validate that there is a market for what you're pitching.