NEW YORK / TOKYO – Techstars, a leading global accelerator and investor in early-stage startups, and Global Brain, a leading independent venture capital firm based in Japan, today announced a comprehensive strategic partnership designed to bridge the Japanese entrepreneurial ecosystem with the global market.

The partnership means that Global Brain and Techstars will explore opportunities to collaborate on future investment vehicles and investment opportunities within the Techstars portfolio and broader ecosystem of founders, mentors and alumni. 

Driving Ecosystem Innovation

The two organizations will collaborate to expand innovation opportunities in Japan and internationally:

• Corporate Accelerators & Founder Catalyst: Global Brain will serve as a strategic partner to help bring Techstars’ "Corporate Accelerator" and "Founder Catalyst" programs to corporations, cities, and universities in Japan and throughout Asia, fostering open innovation and ecosystem development across the region.

• CVC Fund Formation: Techstars will leverage its global business development reach to identify corporations seeking to establish Corporate Venture Capital funds, referring them to Global Brain’s specialized CVC fund management platform.

Capital Deployment Partnership

Strengthening financial support for startups, Global Brain intends to facilitate investment into the Techstars network. Through a strategic capital relationship, Global Brain aims to deploy capital into Techstars-backed companies, providing Japanese investors with unique access to high-growth global startups while offering Techstars portfolio companies expanded access to the Asian market.

“This partnership represents a significant step in connecting the Japanese startup community with the global stage,” said David Cohen, Founder and CEO of Techstars. “By combining Global Brain’s local leadership and CVC expertise with our global accelerator model, we are creating new pathways for founders to succeed.”

“We are excited to join forces with Techstars to accelerate innovation,” said Yasuhiko Yurimoto, CEO of Global Brain. “Leveraging both of our world-class networks of founders, mentors, partners, and investors will create immense value for many exciting startups in our joint portfolios.”

About Techstars

Techstars helps founders succeed. Through our global accelerators and venture capital funds, we invest in early-stage startups led by founders who are building a better future for everyone. We do this by leveraging our vast network of alumni, mentors, partners, and investors to support our portfolio companies. Since 2007, we have been early investors in dozens of industry-defining companies, which have a combined value of approximately $300 billion today.

About Global Brain

Global Brain is an independent venture capital firm that supports startups on a global scale. With a focus on Deep Tech and business innovation, Global Brain manages CVC funds for major corporations and invests in startups that solve social issues. https://globalbrains.com/

Media Contact for Techstars:

Andrea Palten

andrea.palten@techstars.com

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