Startup Community Partnership Founder Catalyst Fall 2025 Program

Running from September 24 to November 28, 2025, this highly selective 10-week experience connects early-stage founders to world-class masterclasses, tailored role-based workshops, strategic partner sessions (with exclusive tools + credits), and hands-on 1:1s with the Techstars team and industry-leading mentors.

We're looking for exceptional founders with deep problem insight, strong execution, resilience, and team-building skills. Ideal candidates are building in large, scalable markets and are pre- or post-revenue.

If you’re ready to sharpen your story, connect with global founders, accelerate growth, and master the next steps to secure funding, this program will give you the playbook, access to the network, and the momentum you need to thrive. This program does not offer funding from Techstars.

2025 - Virtual Program

About the Program

The Startup Community Partnership Fall 2025 Program is a global virtual pre-accelerator powered by Techstars, running from September 24 to November 28, 2025. Over 10 weeks, selected founders join world-class masterclasses, tailored role-based workshops, strategic partner sessions (including exclusive tools and credits), and personalized pitch feedback from Techstars mentors and investors. You’ll work alongside an elite group of founders sourced from top startup ecosystems, building momentum toward funding, scaling, and market domination.

✨ What You’ll Get

• Weekly live masterclasses taught by Techstars leaders + industry experts

• Tailored role-based workshops for founders on product, marketing, operations, etc.)

• Unlimited support across the 10 weeks from world-class Techstar mentors

• Pitch coaching from the Techstars team to perfect your investor story

• Access to exclusive perks (tools, credits, support)

• A powerful global founder peer group for accountability + collaboration

🏆 Who Should Apply?

Founders: We are accepting applications only from founders based in the following cities or surrounding areas:

• Istanbul, Turkey

• Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzgovina

• Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Selection Criteria:

• Exceptional founder qualities: this includes deep insight into the problem, strong execution skills, a passion for learning, resilience, and the ability to collaborate and attract talent

• A scalable market with big potential

• Pre- or post-revenue; if post-revenue, MRR up to $5K

• Beyond ideation: a great idea that’s already moving toward product or growth

• Have raised no more than $400K in external funding to date

• Demonstration of traction or data gathering, such as pilot projects, user engagement, pre-orders, or customer waitlists, is a plus

FAQs

What is the Startup Community Partnership Founder Catalyst Program?

The Startup Community Partnership Founder Catalyst Program is a virtual pre-accelerator powered by Techstars, designed to help early-stage founders sharpen their story, validate product-market fit, and accelerate toward growth and funding. It’s part of the wider Startup Community Partnership initiative, where in this first cohort, cities like Istanbul, Sarajevo, and Omaha have partnered with Techstars to deliver local startup events and nominate their best founders for this global opportunity.

Why should founders participate?

Founders get access to world-class masterclasses, tailored role-based workshops, exclusive partner offers, expert pitch feedback, and industry-leading mentors. All designed to accelerate growth. 

Who is eligible?

• Must be building a for-profit company (non-profits are not eligible)

• Must commit to attending masterclasses, mentor sessions, and the final pitch

• Must be prepared to complete due diligence and follow the Techstars Code of Conduct

• Must have reliable internet access and at least one English-speaking team member (this is a virtual program, delivered in English)

• We cannot accept applications from founders doing business in: Russia, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, or Crimea/Donetsk/Luhansk regions of Ukraine

At what stage should a company be to apply?

Early stage. Solo founders are welcome.

What type of sessions does the program include?

• Weekly live masterclasses

• Tailored role-based workshops (for product, marketing, operations, etc.)

• Exclusive partner sessions (with tools, credits, resources)

• Unlimited world-class mentorship

• Pitch feedback from the Techstars team

• Exclusive events held by your local SCP team

Where will the program be based?

The program is 100% virtual — no relocation or travel required.

Will I receive funding?

No, this is a non-equity pre-accelerator.

Will completing Founder Catalyst help me apply to a Techstars Accelerator later?

Yes! While there’s no guaranteed invitation, Founder Catalyst participants have a higher acceptance rate into Techstars accelerators compared to the general applicant pool.

How many startups are selected?

The cohort will consist of around 30 startups from our partner cities, Istanbul, Omaha, and Sarajevo.

Is there an attendance requirement?

Yes, we expect founders to fully engage in the program: masterclasses, workshops, mentor meetings, and the final pitch.

What is the time commitment?

Expect to spend up to 8–12 hours per week for 10 weeks. This includes 2-3 hours in masterclasses, 2–4 mentor meetings (optional), 1 hour Pitch Feedback, and 1 hour of local engagement. Founders working full-time or part-time on their companies are both welcome.

Do I need to be in a specific industry?

No, we accept startups across industries, as long as they meet the eligibility and selection criteria.

What are the evaluation criteria?

We evaluate applications and interviews based on:

✅ Team (including solo founders): Are the founders capable, coachable, and deeply connected to the problem? Do they show resilience, curiosity, and the ability to execute?

✅ Idea / Product: Is the solution innovative and significantly better than current alternatives? Has progress been made on the MVP or product?

✅ Market Size / Opportunity: Is the market large, growing, and able to support major players? Does the team understand how to monetize?

✅ Traction: Are there early signals of demand (users, pilots, revenue, waitlists, partnerships, awards) or have they already launched and have a recurring monthly revenue of up to $5K (approx).

✅ Program Benefit: Will the founders benefit meaningfully from the program, resources, structure, and mentorship provided?

The Team