Techstars

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U.S. startup accelerator

title: "Techstars" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["2006-establishments-in-colorado", "business-incubators-of-the-united-states", "companies-based-in-boulder,-colorado", "financial-services-companies-established-in-2006", "investment-companies-of-the-united-states", "mentorships", "startup-accelerators", "american-companies-established-in-2006"] description: "U.S. startup accelerator" topic_path: "economics" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Techstars" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary U.S. startup accelerator ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox company"]

FieldValue
logo[[File:Techstars-Black-with-white-letters.png
typePrivate
location_cityNew York City, New York
foundationColorado, United States (2006, as Techstars, LLC.)
industryStartup accelerator
productsVenture capital, investments
nameTechstars, LLC
key_peopleDavid Cohen (Co-founder, Chairman, CEO)
Brad Feld (Co-founder)
Jared Polis (Co-founder)
homepage
::

| logo = [[File:Techstars-Black-with-white-letters.png|250px|alt=Techstars Logo]] | type = Private | location_city = New York City, New York | foundation = Colorado, United States (2006, as Techstars, LLC.) | industry = Startup accelerator | products = Venture capital, investments | name = Techstars, LLC | key_people = David Cohen (Co-founder, Chairman, CEO) Brad Feld (Co-founder) Jared Polis (Co-founder) | homepage = Techstars is a global startup accelerator and venture capital firm founded in 2006 and headquartered in New York City. The accelerator provides capital, mentorship, and other support for early-stage entrepreneurs.

History

Techstars was founded in Boulder, Colorado, by David Cohen, Brad Feld, David Brown, and Jared Polis in 2006. Initially, Techstars invested between $6,000 and $18,000 in early stage companies, providing entrepreneurs with mentorship during a three month accelerator program.

The company held its first program in Boulder in 2007 with ten companies. Of the ten, two were acquired that same year. As of 2012, three had achieved positive exits and two were generating millions in annual revenue. In subsequent years, Techstars expanded to Boston, Seattle, New York City, a "cloud" program in San Antonio, and Austin.

In January 2011, Techstars launched the Global Accelerator Network (GAN), which links 22 similar programs internationally. The network was launched in conjunction with President Barack Obama's Startup America Partnership. GAN is now an independently operated organization. Techstars has also supported the formation of Patriot Boot Camp.

In 2017, Techstars partnered with the venture capital firm Partech Ventures to expand its program to Paris, and in September of the same year was contracted to work with the United States Air Force's new technology accelerator "AFwerX". At the beginning of 2019 Techstars started another European program around smart cities in Amsterdam with their corporate partner Arcadis. In 2021, Maëlle Gavet became CEO.

In 2017 Techstars became the first US accelerator to build an office in the UAE.

In 2022 Techstars expanded its work into Africa.

In 2022, Techstars and J.P. Morgan raised $80 million to invest in over 400 companies through 2024; the fund focuses on underrepresented entrepreneurs.

In December 2023, the group announced it would pause its Austin operation. Just a few months later, in February 2024, Techstars announced that it would be moving its headquarters from Boulder to New York, where its CEO lives, and closing the Boulder and Seattle accelerators. The decision was criticized by a former Seattle staffer and others in the startup community. Techstars Seattle was one of the first accelerators to emerge from the Techstars program. The decision to close it was made as the accelerator shifts its focus to cities with more VC activity.

In May 2024, Gavet announced her resignation and that Cohen would return as CEO.

Programs

Techstars admits approximately 1-2% of applicants, typically selecting 12 companies per cohort. Admission is determined by the program’s Managing Director, along with a screening committee consisting of members from the Techstars network.

In exchange for 6% common stock, each company accepted into Techstars receives $220,000 in funding. Participants also gain access to the Techstars network and receive benefits valued at over $5 million, which include $100,000 in AWS credits. The accelerator program spans three months and is divided into three phases: mentorship, growth, and investment.

Notable alumni companies

A list of companies that have their own Wikipedia article

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References

References

  1. "What investments does Techstars make in its Accelerator portfolio companies?". Techstars.
  2. Myers, Courtney Boyd. [https://thenextweb.com/entrepreneur/2011/04/16/techstars-the-next-great-startup-incubator-unleashes-11-startups-in-nyc/ Techstars: the next great incubator unleashes 11 startups in NYC]. ''The Next Web''. April 16, 2011.
  3. Bigelow, Bruce V. [http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2012/02/03/techstars-david-cohen-on-reviving-san-diegos-startup-culture/2/ Lessons from Techstars’ David Cohen on Building a Startup Culture: 7 Takeaways from the Xconomy San Diego Dinner]. ''Xconomy''. February 3, 2012.
  4. [http://www.techstars.com/companies/results/?exclude_companies=unchecked Results] ''Results: Techstars''.
  5. Olanoff, Drew. [https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/04/11/these-eleven-companies-relocated-to-san-antonio-to-join-the-first-techstars-cloud/ The eleven companies relocated to San Antonio to join the first Techstars Cloud]. ''The Next Web''. April 11, 2012.
  6. Thomas, Mike. [http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/2012/04/techstars-program-to-jumpstart-san.html?page=all Techstars Program to Jumpstart San Antonio’s Investment Community]. ''The San Antonio Business Journal''. April 4, 2012.
  7. Dickinson, Boonsri. [http://www.businessinsider.com/kinect-11-startups-are-part-of-2012-4 Microsoft Just Picked 11 Startups to Build Amazing Apps for Kinect]. ''Business Insider''. April 2, 2012.
  8. (16 January 2014). "Getting up to speed". [[The Economist]].
  9. [https://www.gan.co/ Global Accelerator Network]
  10. Spencer, Malia. [http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2011/01/31/alphalab-now-part-of-techstars-network.html AlphaLab now part of Techstars Network]. ''Pittsburgh Business Times''. January 31, 2011.
  11. Crichton, Danny. (19 June 2018). "Patriot Boot Camp wants to turn soldiers into entrepreneurs". [[TechCrunch]].
  12. Dillet, Romain. (20 March 2017). "Techstars launches a new program in Paris at the Partech Shaker".
  13. "Air Force opens applications for dual-purpose technology accelerator p". U.S. Air Force.
  14. (2019-03-04). "The Technology Leaders of the City of 2030: Meet the Inaugural Class of Arcadis City of 2030 Accelerator, Powered by Techstars".
  15. Anne Stych. (January 12, 2021). "Seed investor Techstars names Maëlle Gavet CEO".
  16. Pupic, Tamara. (2018-04-15). "Off To A Good Start: Techstars Dubai".
  17. Africa, B. I.. (2023-03-24). "ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Demo Day unveils the best and brightest of African startup tech".
  18. Sraders, Anne. (January 20, 2023). "Inside J.P. Morgan and techstars' joint push to get VC dollars to diverse founders".
  19. Azevedo, Mary Ann. (2023-12-07). "Is the Texas boom town of Austin losing its luster?".
  20. Chuang, Tamara. (2024-02-23). "Techstars moving HQ out of Colorado and ending its Boulder accelerator".
  21. Wilhelm, Alex. (2024-02-23). "As Techstars retools, some former staffers say it lost focus on what made it successful".
  22. "Founders' Co-op".
  23. Soper, Tayler. (February 21, 2024 ). "Techstars Seattle is shutting down as accelerator shifts focus to cities with more VC activity".
  24. Davis, Dominic-Madori. (2024-05-22). "Techstars CEO Maëlle Gavet is out".
  25. "David Cohen Returns as CEO of Techstars".
  26. Mascarenhas, Natasha. (2022-04-28). "Techstars debuts new fund for companies too early for its own accelerator".
  27. Popper, Ben. [https://venturebeat.com/2012/03/12/techstars-ny-adam-rothenberg-startups-finance/#s:screen-shot-2012-03-12-at-10-59-19-am How the quiet Adam Rothenberg became number two at hot startup incubator Techstars NY]. ''Venture Beat''. March 12, 2012.
  28. Fields, Jonathan. ''[https://www.amazon.com/Uncertainty-Turning-Fear-Doubt-Brilliance/dp/159184424X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334710978&sr=8-1 Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance]''. Portfolio Hardcover, 2011.
  29. (March 7, 2011). "Business Incubator Series: An Interview With David Cohen, Founder And CEO, Startup Accelerator TechStars – Boulder, Colorado (Part 1)". Sramana Mitra.
  30. (July 16, 2013). "TechStars-Backed Bookkeeping Service 10Sheet Relaunches As Bench With New $2M Seed Round".
  31. (March 23, 2014). "Digital Ocean's Journey From TechStars Reject To Cloud-Hosting Darling".
  32. (September 8, 2011). "TechStars Graduate FullContact Lands $1.5 Million, Helps Keep Contact Records Updated".
  33. Cheredar, Tom. [https://venturebeat.com/2012/04/05/graphicly-pulls-ipad-android-apps/ Graphicly shutters iOS & Android comic book apps to focus on self-publishing service]. ''Venture Beat''. April 5, 2012.
  34. Vuong, Andy. [http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14855746 Colorado startups becoming tech stars]. ''The Denver Post''. April 10, 2010.
  35. Kincaid, Jason. [https://techcrunch.com/2008/09/23/automattic-has-acquired-intensedebates-enhanced-comment-system/ Automattic Has Acquired IntenseDebate's Enhanced Comment System]. ''TechCrunch''. September 23, 2008.
  36. (16 May 2012). "TechStars alum Mocavo grabs $4M to help you find your ancestors - VentureBeat - Deals - by Sean Ludwig". VentureBeat.
  37. "Mocavo Acquired By Findmypast: A New Chapter Begins". Mocavo Blog - News, Announcements & More from the World's Largest Free Genealogy Search Engine.
  38. Kyle Alspach. (6 February 2012). "An unusual TechStar: Murfie seeks to build huge CD store". Boston Business Journal.
  39. Ruth, Joao-Pierre. [http://www.xconomy.com/new-york/2012/04/05/xconomist-of-the-week-roger-ehrenberg-plans-for-deeper-investments/ Xconomis of the Week]. ''Xconomy''. April 12, 2012.
  40. [https://techcrunch.com/2012/06/29/orbotixs-sphero-is-rolling-into-an-apple-store-near-you.html Orbotix Sphero is Rolling to an Apple Store Near You]. ''Techcrunch''. June 29, 2012.
  41. [https://www.geekwire.com/2021/successful-accelerator-cohort-ever-techstars-seattle-class-produced-3-unicorns/ The most successful accelerator cohort ever: How this Techstars Seattle class produced 3 unicorns]. ''Geekwire''. September 22, 2021.
  42. (March 23, 2020). "Rheaply Raises $2.5M to Strengthen Asset Management". Waste 360.
  43. Dizik, Alina. [http://www.fastcompany.com/1824480/6-time-management-tips-from-accelerator-programs 6 Time-Management Tips from Accelerator Programs]. ''Fast Company''. March 14, 2012.
  44. (21 June 2012). "America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs 2012". Bloomberg.com.
  45. Liam Boogar. (February 25, 2013). "With 20,000+ users on board, Sketchfab raises a 370K€ Angel round for its YouTube of 3D". Rude Baguette.
  46. (December 5, 2013). "Sketchfab raises $2m to scale its "YouTube for 3D files"". Balderton Capital.
  47. Reisinger, Don. [http://mashable.com/2008/08/14/aol-acquires-socialthing/ AOL Acquires Lifestreaming Service Socialthing]. ''Mashable''. August 14, 2008.
  48. Moschen, Isabell. (June 6, 2013). "The Two-Wheeled Amenity". New York Times.
  49. Schiller, Ben. "A Self-Contained Bike Share To Make College (Or Your Office Park) More Fun". Co.Exist.
  50. (2021-07-14). "Tech Los Angeles".

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2006-establishments-in-coloradobusiness-incubators-of-the-united-statescompanies-based-in-boulder,-coloradofinancial-services-companies-established-in-2006investment-companies-of-the-united-statesmentorshipsstartup-acceleratorsamerican-companies-established-in-2006