Launching a startup accelerator is exciting. But helping your startups look professional is even more fun! One of the simplest, yet most powerful tools you can give them: a stylish business card. A small piece of branded magic that opens doors, sparks conversations, and leaves lasting impressions.
😎 TLDR (Too Long, Didn’t Read)
If you’re running a startup accelerator, business cards are a must-have for your founders. The best business card makers allow fast design, team templates, and strong branding. They should be simple, stylish, and scalable. We’ve found the top tools that tick all those boxes—and then some!
Why It Matters for Startup Accelerators
Branding isn’t just a logo. It’s an experience. Business cards are often the first branding moment in real life—at pitch sessions, meetups, and coffee shop chats. For accelerators, providing co-branded business cards helps:
- Build legitimacy for early-stage startups
- Increase brand exposure for your accelerator
- Make networking smoother for your founders
But not all card makers are created equal. You need tools that are fast, flexible, and fun to use. Bonus points if they scale well across multiple teams and cohorts.
What to Look For in a Business Card Maker
Before we get to our list, here are the traits you should care about most:
- Team Templates: Can you set up branded designs for your whole cohort or alumni?
- Custom Branding: How easy is it to apply logos, fonts, and taglines?
- Quick Turnaround: Startups move fast—cards must ship quickly!
- Bulk Discounts: Can you order for multiple teams and save cash?
- Smart Tools: Look for drag-and-drop or AI design helpers.
Top 6 Business Card Makers for Startup Accelerators
1. Moo
Best overall for design + flexibility
If you’ve been around startup events, you’ve seen a Moo card. Their paper feels premium, and their online design tools are sleek.
- Offers team accounts and branding kits
- High-quality paper and print finishes
- Easy reordering for new hires or cohorts
- Prices are mid-range, but worth it for quality
2. Canva Print
Best for fast, affordable, and sleek designs
Everyone loves Canva for making pitch decks, but did you know they print business cards too? Their drag-and-drop tools make it super easy—no design skills needed.
- Easy integration with your brand kit
- Low-cost printing with solid quality
- Ideal if your startups already use Canva
- Limited paper options—but fast shipping
3. VistaPrint
Best for bulk orders + global shipping
VistaPrint has been around forever. That’s because it’s reliable, budget-friendly, and offers bulk ordering for teams.
- Generous bulk discounts
- Custom branding tools are basic but functional
- Tons of card sizes and shapes
- Perfect when ordering for international teams
4. Brandly
Best for scaling across large teams
This one’s a hidden gem. Brandly is built for companies—and accelerators—managing a lot of people and brands at once.
- Set up a card template once, then let each founder customize
- Team portal where everyone can order on their own
- Great for distributed global teams
- Quality is solid, if not super high-end
5. Jukebox Print
Best for super creative designs
If your startups sell creativity—think design studios, creative tech, apps—Jukebox Print is where they’ll shine. They offer wild styles like wood cards or ultra-thick edges.
- Huge variety of paper and finishes
- More experimental design options than others
- Can be pricier than basic printers
- Better for wow-factor than speed
6. Zazzle
Best for ultra-budget cards
Starting out and strapped for cash? Zazzle has tons of ready-made templates and frequent discounts.
- Super cheap even for small batches
- Not the strongest on custom branding
- Still efficient for early-stage founders
- Some designs can feel a bit generic
How to Use These Tools in Your Workflow
Once you’ve picked your favorite platform, here’s how to make it sing for your accelerator:
- Create a base template with your accelerator logo and colors
- Add space for each founder’s name, title, and company logo
- Set team permissions so they can edit but not change the overall brand
- Bulk order for every team at launch—or let each team order individually
Extra smart? Sync this with your startup onboarding kit. That way every new founder gets their cards, photos, and logo files right when they join.
Bonus Tips for Awesome Business Cards
- Keep it simple: Don’t clutter—just the essentials: name, title, startup, website/email.
- Use the back: Add your accelerator name, tagline, or QR code.
- Try special finishes: Foil, embossing, or thick matte paper add cool textures.
- Use digital options too: Tools like HiHello or Blinq can pair with print cards via QR.
Why This All Matters
First impressions count—especially in the startup world. A business card may be tiny, but it carries weight. It tells the world: “I’m serious about what I’m building.”
As a startup accelerator, giving your founders branded cards does two things:
- It gives them instant credibility (because branding builds trust fast)
- It gives your accelerator more visibility (those cards go everywhere)
Final Thoughts
Business cards still matter. Especially when you make them look and feel awesome. Whether you’re helping 5 startups or 50, using a great card maker ties your whole brand story together.
So pick one from the list above, design a killer template, and start showing the world what your accelerator is made of—one pocket-sized card at a time.