TechStars is the #1 startup accelerator in the world. We recently joined forces with Excelerate Labs, which was founded in 2010 and has a strong process and a great alumni network in Chicago
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TechStars Chicago
Excelerate Labs is now TechStars Chicago!
Individuals
Meet our mentors
Our mentors support TechStars Chicago and offer amazing advice and help to all the companies in the program.
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Alumni companies
While TechStars is new to Chicago, the Excelerate Labs community is 30 companies strong locally. TechStars alumni total nearly 200 companies nationally!
The next application deadline for this location has not yet been announced.
Please see the
national schedule for program dates and other available locations.
Troy Henikoff is the Managing Director of TechStars Chicago.
Troy was the CEO and Co-founder of Excelerate which became TechStars Chicago in 2013. Additionally he helps manage the FireStarter Fund, teaches Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University, is a Faculty Coach for University of Chicago / Booth’s New Venture Challenge, is on the board of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center and an advisor to Hyde Park Angels. His last 25 years have been spent starting, running and advising early stage technology companies including SurePayroll, OneWed, Amacai and Jellyvision.
Troy Henikoff began his entrepreneurship class at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Managementwith an announcement. He told his students that Excelerate Labs — the Chicago-based accelerator that he and co-founder Sam Yagan had established, nurtured, and brought to national prominence, now had a new name.
Excelerate Labs is a world-class accelerator in Chicago, led by accomplished entrepreneurs Troy Henikoff (SurePayroll) and Sam Yagan (OkCupid, SparkNotes, Match.com) as well as two of the leading VCs in the Midwest, Sandbox Industries’ Nick Rosa, and New World Ventures’ Adam Koopersmith. In its first three years, it has already earned a place among the very best accelerators in the country.
Brad Feld and I have been close to Excelerate Labs since the very beginning, advising Sam and Troy and mentoring the companies in their three classes. The Excelerate Labs Demo Days have always been tremendously energetic and have inspired us to make the trip to Chicago and get more involved in the local startup ecosystem.
I have personally invested in three Excelerate alums: SpotHero, GiveForward, and Tap.me (acquired by Media Math). Excelerate’s results speak for the themselves: its first three classes have yielded thirty portfolio companies that have raised a total of over $30M.
As TechStars has expanded into new cities, we’ve always started our programs from scratch. But Excelerate made us think differently. We were so impressed with what they’ve built that we asked them to join forces with us and turn Excelerate Labs into TechStars Chicago. TechStars and Excelerate have always been kindred spirits: we both put entrepreneurs first and believe in the power of mentorship.
Troy Henikoff says, “We are excited to combine Excelerate’s deep roots in Chicago with TechStars’ vast alumni and mentor networks. TechStars Chicago will be an even stronger force in Chicago and will add incredible firepower to the TechStars platform.”
“I congratulate Excelerate Labs and I am pleased that TechStars has identified Chicago as one of the best places to start a technology business. This advancement is a huge step forward for the city’s technology economy and will fit hand-in-glove with the other efforts being made to promote entrepreneurship and create new jobs around Chicago.” – Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Please join me in welcoming Troy, Sam, Nick, Adam, and the Windy City to the TechStars family. Applications to TechStars Chicago open today. Apply now and see our full schedule for additional details.
Headquarters
Our Chicago program is locally sponsored by:
Local Sponsors:
Local Partners:
Thanks to all of our local sponsors above as well as our national sponsors below.
