Accelerate Your Startup with the Techstars Pre-Accelerator Program
Techstars Founder Catalyst is a pre-accelerator program helping early-stage founders gain the tools, mentorship, and support to launch and grow successful startups.
10-Week Pre-Accelerator Filled with Invaluable Insights
Techstars Founder Catalyst is a 10-week pre-accelerator program that provides early-stage founders (pre-funding or idea stage) with the training, tools, mentorship, and network to prepare them for the next level. The program cultivates a community of innovative and ambitious entrepreneurs who are all highly motivated to support each other’s success. 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.
Note: There is no equity exchange in Founder Catalyst programs.
Techstars Founder Catalyst might be right for you if you have:
Domain Expertise
You possess a deep understanding or unique insight into the challenge your startup is addressing.
A Clear Problem to Solve
You have identified a well-defined customer need and have a lead on the solution.
Raised Less Than $400K
Founders of early- or idea-stage companies will receive the most benefit from the program structure and activities.
A Collaborative Spirit
Maximizing the program experience demands excellent communication skills for collaboration with your cohort, mentors, and program leaders.
Current Founder Catalyst Programs
Techstars Founder Catalyst Global Spring 2026 Program
The Techstars Founder Catalyst Global Spring 2026 Program is a part-time, virtual pre-accelerator offered exclusively to founders from our partner communities in Istanbul, Sarajevo, Omaha, Uzbekistan, Belfast, and the NatWest Startup network in the United Kingdom.
Techstars Founder Catalyst WaterTech & Sustainability
The Techstars Founder Catalyst: WaterTech & Sustainability program is a 10-week, hybrid pre-accelerator designed to empower early-stage founders developing cutting-edge solutions in water technology, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.