Techstars Update: January 2026
Jan 30, 2026
Capital + Programs + Connection = Opportunity
Techstars connects unstoppable founders, wherever they are, with capital, programs, and connections to open up opportunities. See what we were up to in January.
In review:
1 accelerator program with open applications
2 Founder Catalyst programs with open applications
4+ upcoming Startup Weekend events
2 upcoming Techstars events
11 portfolio companies secured funding
Capital
Each year, we select hundreds of companies to join one of our 3-month, mentorship-driven accelerators, investing capital and providing hands-on mentorship and access to the Techstars network for life.
Portfolio Companies
Since 2006, Techstars has invested in 5,000+ companies. Our founder-first philosophy has connected us with startups across a range of verticals, linking them to a network of successful mentors and partners.
Programs
Techstars accelerators have one goal: to help founders succeed. We believe that great founders and startups are everywhere, but opportunity is not evenly distributed, which is why we continue to launch programs worldwide.
During each three-month program, we surround companies with the best mentors and an unrivaled network of corporate partners, investors, and alumni. We provide funding and fundraising opportunities, workshops, and curated resources, not to mention countless moments where you can learn from your peers. It’s a proven model that has helped build thousands of successful companies.
Applications Open
Learn more about our 3-month accelerators where founders gain funding, mentorship, and access to the Techstars network. The following accelerator programs are currently accepting applications:
Apply by May 6, 2026.
Connection
Events & Pre-Accelerator Activity
We believe that while people and ideas are equally distributed, opportunity and resources are not. That is why we are committed to increasing access to entrepreneurship — all over the world.
Founder Catalyst
Founder Catalyst is a pre-accelerator program providing early-stage entrepreneurs with invaluable startup education and mentorship. This part-time, primarily virtual experience is perfectly suited for founders looking to hone their entrepreneurial skills, better understand their target customers, and dig deeply into refining the solutions they are offering the world.
The following programs are currently accepting applications:
Techstars Founder Catalyst Global Spring 2026 Program
Techstars Founder Catalyst WaterTech & Sustainability
Learn more about Founder Catalyst.
Startup Weekend & Startup Week
Startup Weekend is a three-day program where aspiring entrepreneurs can experience startup life in hundreds of cities worldwide. Startup Week is a celebration of entrepreneurship and the people shaping the startup community in your city. See our February community events:
Techstars Startup Weekend Jaipur
February 13-16, 2026
Techstars Startup Weekend Madrid
February 20-23, 2026
Techstars Startup Weekend Almaty
February 27-March 2, 2026
Techstars Startup Weekend Uni Athens
February 27-March 2, 2026
View a full list of upcoming Techstars events.
Techstars Events
Techstars hosts a variety of virtual and in-person events throughout the year for founders. View our upcoming events below:
February Virtual Meet and Greet
February 24, 2026
Techstars & Firebrand Ventures Community Meetup in Kansas City
February 26, 2026
View a full list of upcoming Techstars events.
Opportunity
Techstars helps founders succeed. Check out the latest news from across the Techstars portfolio.
Fundraising News
Seasats (Techstars 2021) receives $24M in Department of War APFIT funding to accelerate the fielding of its autonomous surface vessels.
Parambil (Techstars 2023) raises an additional $6M in seed funding ($8M to date).
Tive (Techstars 2017) receives a $20M investment, valuing the shipment-tracking systems developer at slightly more than $500M.
Hydrosat (Techstars 2019) raises $60M in Series B funding.
Hawaiian Airlines’ newly announced $600M Kahuʻewai Hawai‘i Investment Plan features a strategic investment in Ampaire (Techstars 2018) to support hybrid-electric aviation in the islands.
Fintalo (Techstars 2025) secures $500K+ in oversubscribed Pre-Seed funding.
Zipline (Techstars 2011), a drone delivery and logistics startup, raises more than $600M in new funding, boosting its valuation to $7.6B, as it expands commercial deployments.
PraxisPro (Techstars 2024) closes an oversubscribed $6M seed round.
Language learning startup Preply (Techstars 2015) raises $150M.
Samara (Techstars 2024) closes $10M seed round to help bring more stability to sats in orbit.
MyARC (Techstars 2022), a platform that enables fitness creators to train their communities at scale, secures £1.5M investment.
Other News
Preply (Techstars 2015) reaches unicorn status and is featured in TechCrunch, Bloomberg, and Axios.
Goby Homes (Techstars 2024) Founder Terrence Nickelson is featured in MSN.
PopCom (Techstars 2017) Founder Dawn Dickson is featured in MSN.
Plainr (Techstars 2024 and Techstars Founder Catalyst 2022) Founder Lydia Ofori is featured in MSN.
Pay4Me (Techstars 2022) CEO Sunday Paul Adah is featured in Disrupt Africa.
GUDEA (Techstars 2023) becomes a SXSW Pitch 2026 Finalist.
ALIVE Podcast Network (Techstars 2022) is featured on WKRN News 2.
Biotics AI (Techstars 2023) received FDA clearance for its AI software that helps detect fetal abnormalities in ultrasound images.
RISE Robotics (Techstars 2012) was named #1 Regulation Crowdfunding Campaign of 2025 by Kingscrowd.
Doonie Roisin, founder of Female Startup Club (Techstars 2024), is featured in Forbes.
Noor Haj-Tamim, founder of Avionova (Techstars 2025), is featured in Forbes.
Babba (Techstars 2023) is featured in the San Diego Business Journal.
GetEquity (Techstars 2023) is featured in HCN Times.
Pierce Aerospace (Techstars 2021) is featured in MENAFN.
Vita Inclinata (Techstars 2019) awarded $45.6M U.S. Army Contract to supply Vita Rescue Systems across the Department of Defense.
TMA (Techstars 2024) credits Alabama Power and Techstars Alabama for roles in its ongoing growth.