Building the World’s Most Powerful Network for Founders
Techstars is the original mentorship-driven accelerator. We are a global network that supports founders, mentors, investors, and partners in building the future of business.
Whether you're launching a company, mentoring the next generation of founders, investing in startups, or driving innovation in your industry or community, Techstars is where breakthroughs begin.
Since 2006, we've helped launch and grow thousands of companies, including dozens of unicorns like Chainalysis, Zipline, DataRobot, Alloy, and more, by combining capital, mentorship, partnerships, and community-building initiatives across more than 150 countries.
Techstars’ Values
#GiveFirst
At Techstars, we believe in helping without expecting something in return. Whether you're a founder, mentor, or partner, our first question is always: "How can we support you?" We lead with generosity, not transactions, because great communities are built on trust and collaboration.
Help Founders Succeed
Founders are at the heart of everything we do. Your success is our success. Every decision we make, every program we design, and every connection we facilitate is focused on helping you succeed, today and in the long run.
All In, Together
We’re not just your advisors; we’re your partners. We show up, follow through, and stand by our commitments. When you work with Techstars, you’re part of a team that wins together, learns together, and grows together through every challenge and milestone.
Techstars for Life
Techstars is more than a program, it’s a lifelong network. Founders become mentors, mentors become investors, and relationships built here open doors for years to come. We're in it for the long haul, committed to building enduring relationships that evolve with your journey.
Our Network
Founders
From first-time entrepreneurs to early-stage teams, Techstars gives startups the funding, mentorship, and connections they need to build fast and grow smart.
Mentors
Mentorship is the heart of Techstars. Leaders from companies like Hubspot, Stripe, Google, Nike, Amazon, ESPN, and more share their insights and experience, building lifelong connections that power the entire network.
Partners
Corporations, startup communities, universities, and governments partner with Techstars to access innovation, support local entrepreneurial ecosystems, and co-create the future of their industries.
Investors
Techstars is a leading pre-seed venture capital firm. We invest in a diverse, global pool of entrepreneurs and have delivered strong, consistent returns across our portfolio since our first accelerator in 2007.
What We Do
Accelerators
Our accelerator programs are the foundation of Techstars, offering mentorship-driven investment to startups that are ready to grow fast.
Learn more
Startup Community Partnerships
A Techstars Startup Community Partnership is the smart advantage to elevate your local entrepreneurial ecosystem on a global level.
Learn more
Vertical Network Partnerships
We connect founders with expert mentors and corporate partners in key industries, providing targeted support that drives growth and strategic advantage.
Learn more
Meet Our Leadership
Jennifer Davis
Devon Fanfair
Tim Grace
Matthew Jaeh
Christie Jenkins
Kerty Levy
Allard Luchsinger
Martin Olczyk
Gabriel Schlumberger
Brad Schnitzer
Yuki Shirato
Georgie Smithwick
Meet Our Accelerator Investment Team
Anthony Alepra
Program Manager
Cordelro Brown
Investment Associate
Charlotte Bruce
General Manager EMEA & APAC
Vance Dekker
Investment Manager
Sasha Green
Program Manager
Angie Grimm
General Manager
Mason Darryl Gunter
Investment Manager
Rae'Mah Henderson
Investment Associate
Christine Hong
Senior Investment Manager
Robert Kelly
Program Manager
Aidan Kittredge
Program Manager
Emily McLanahan
Investment Manager
Arthur Parens
Investment Associate
Felipe Rubio
Investment Manager
Gaby Rudd
Investment Manager
History of Techstars
At Techstars, our mission is simple: help founders succeed. Explore the key milestones that shaped our journey and meet some of the people who played a pivotal role along the way.
Feb. 18, 2006 - The Techstars Idea Is Born
Founding email from David Cohen to David Brown with the original idea for Techstars.
Nov. 2006 - Techstars is Officially Incorporated
Techstars becomes a reality with founders David Cohen, David Brown, Brad Feld, and Jared Polis.
Summer 2007 - The First Accelerator Class Begins
Techstars hosts its first accelerator program in Boulder, Colorado.
July 2007 - Startup Weekend is Born
Andrew Hyde creates Startup Weekend and hosts the first event in Boulder.
2009 - Startup Weekend Incorporates
Marc Nager, Clint Nelson, and Franck Nouyrigat join as co-founders of Startup Weekend and set up an office in Seattle.
2009 - Techstars Ventures
Techstars launches its first venture fund, Techstars Ventures 2009 ($5M).
2009 - Second Accelerator Location Launches
Techstars launches an accelerator program in Boston.
2010 - Startup Digest Newsletters Added
Startup Digest joins the Startup Weekend family.
2010 - Third Accelerator Program Launches
Techstars launches an accelerator program in Seattle.
2010 - Startup Week Comes Together
The first Startup Week, which grows out of Startup Weekend, happens in 2010 in Boulder.
2011 - Expansion Continues
Techstars launches a fourth accelerator program location in New York City.
2012 - Techstars Ventures 2012
Techstars raises its second fund, Techstars Ventures 2012 ($25M).
2012 - Startup Week Expands
Four communities adopt the Startup Week format: Boulder, Denver, Austin, and Lincoln.
2013 - Techstars Acquires Chicago Accelerator
Techstars acquires Excelerate Labs to create the Techstars Chicago Accelerator.
2013 - Global Expansion into London
Techstars launches its first international accelerator by acquiring Springboard in London.
2014 - Techstars Ventures 2014
Techstars raises its third fund, Techstars Ventures 2014 ($155M).
2014 - Startup Week Goes International
Startup Week expands to 14 new cities, including locations in Canada.
2015 - Techstars Launches Six New Accelerator Program Locations
New programs include a partnership with Target and expansion into Israel and South Africa.
2015 - Startup Week Spans Continents
Startup Week goes overseas, expanding to Europe, Africa, and Asia.
2015 - Techstars Acquires UP Global
Techstars acquires UP Global, the organization behind Startup Weekend, Startup Week, and Startup Digest, to join forces in helping founders succeed.
2016 - Eight More Programs Begin
Techstars opens new accelerator program locations in Germany and the U.S.
2016 - Startup Week's Exponential Growth
By 2016, there are 47 Startup Weeks worldwide with 83,000+ attendees.
2017 - Techstars Accelerators Continue to Go Global
Techstars continues to expand, opening accelerators in Australia, France, UAE, and Norway.
2017 - Joint Venture with ANSR to Create Techstars India
Techstars announces a joint venture with ANSR, a leader in Global In-House Centers, to further expand Techstars' network in India.
2017 - First Techstars Anywhere Class
Techstars Anywhere Accelerator launches to create an accessible Techstars accelerator experience for great founders, anywhere.
2020 - A New Look for Techstars
Techstars shares a new, simplified brand identity for a more unified way to tell our story.
2021 - Founder Catalyst Begins
Techstars runs the first Founder Catalyst pre-accelerator program.
2022 - Techstars and J.P. Morgan Partner to Invest in Diverse Founders
Techstars announces new accelerator programs powered by J.P. Morgan that invest more than $80 million in diverse founders across the U.S.
2023 - World’s Most Active Pre-Seed Investor Again
Crunchbase names Techstars as the world’s most active pre-seed investor two years in a row.
2024 - 10,000+ Founders Supported
Techstars surpasses supporting more than 10,000 founders through its global accelerator programs.
2025 - 22 Unicorns in the Portfolio
Techstars announces 22 portfolio companies have reached unicorn status.