Techstars Update - March 2023
Mar 24, 2023
Capital + Programs + Connection = Opportunity
Techstars connects unstoppable founders, wherever they are, with capital, programs, and connections to open up opportunities. See what we’ve been up to this month!
In review:
24 new investments
2 new partners
8 portcos closing funding rounds
Capital
Each year we choose more than 500 early-stage companies to join one of our 3-month, mentorship-driven accelerators, investing $120K and providing hands-on mentorship and access to the Techstars network for life. Check out the latest companies graduating from our programs and the partners who support them.
New portcos
Techstars has invested in 24 companies through 2 programs in the past month. Each program has selected 12 companies as part of this term’s cohort, bringing our total portfolio to 3,392 companies. Since 2006, our founder-first philosophy has connected us with startups across a range of verticals, linking them to a network of successful mentors and partners. Meet the latest Techstars portfolio companies:
ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator
Cladfy | Pepperest | Sidebrief | Salad | Towntalk Solutions | Keza Africa | Vittas | Oystr Finance | Flick | Keble | Alphabloq | CDCARE
Techstars Payments Powered by Stellar and MoneyGram
O | Ola | Banca.Me | College Cash | Uils | Mox | Lenme | Mica | Moneo | Zumma | Bundil | Pactta
New partners
Our mission is to enable everyone to contribute to and benefit from, entrepreneurs’ success. By connecting entrepreneurs with corporations and organizations around the globe, we can drive innovation and solve the world’s largest problems. Meet the newest partners supporting Techstars founders:
Louisiana Partners With Techstars to Launch New Business Accelerator Program
Entrepreneurs across the state will have the opportunity to apply for venture capital funding and business development resources as part of a new start-up accelerator program funded by Techstars and Louisiana Economic Development.
“This public-private partnership with Techstars further strengthens Louisiana’s already thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem,” LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “The state’s investment in program operations ensures that entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses across Louisiana have equal access to this unique opportunity, which benefits the economy of the entire state.”
This first-of-its-kind program aims to work closely with the most motivated and talented entrepreneurs designing solutions that advance economic mobility for low- and moderate-income Americans through smart and inclusive technology in areas including education, financial literacy, banking, job training, and accessing benefits.
Programs
Techstars accelerators have one goal: to help entrepreneurs succeed. We believe that great entrepreneurs and startups are everywhere but opportunity is not evenly distributed, which is why we continue to launch programs around the world.
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’s helped build thousands of successful companies, all over the world.
Applications opening
Learn more about our 3-month accelerators where founders gain funding, mentorship, and access to the Techstars network for life. The following programs have applications opening next month:
Techstars Detroit Powered by J.P. Morgan
Applications open: April 10, 2023
Techstars Oakland powered by J.P. Morgan
Applications open: April 10, 2023
Applications open: April 10, 2023
Demo Days
Techstars accelerator programs culminate with a celebration at Demo Day. This is each company’s chance to show the world how much progress they’ve made in just a few short months. Investors can learn more about our latest investments and portfolio companies by registering for a Techstars program’s live virtual or in-person Demo Day event:
Techstars Future of Longevity Accelerator
April 3 | Washington, DC + Virtual
Techstars Equitech Accelerator
April 4 | Baltimore, MD
April 6 | Boston + Virtual
April 7 | Virtual
Techstars Anywhere Accelerator
April 13 | Virtual
Techstars Impact Powered by Cox Enterprises
April 13 | Atlanta
Connection
Events & Pre-Accelerator Activity
We believe that while people and ideas are equally distributed, opportunity and resources are not. That’s why we are committed to increasing access to entrepreneurship. All over the world. Connect with Techstars at the following events:
Founder Catalyst programs
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.
To learn more about Founder Catalyst, click here.
Startup Weekend events
Startup Weekend is a three-day program where aspiring entrepreneurs can experience startup life in hundreds of cities worldwide. See our April events below:
Techstars Startup Weekend Central Arkansas
April 13-16, 2023
Techstars Startup Week Raleigh-Durham
April 18-20, 2023
Techstars Startup Weekend Bukidnon
April 21-23, 2023
Techstars Startup Weekend Jujuy
April 21-23, 2023
Techstars Startup Weekend Kyiv Hybrid
April 21-23, 2023
Techstars Startup Weekend Chisinau
April 28-30, 2023
For a full list of upcoming Techstars Community events, click here.
Virtual events
Techstars hosts a variety of virtual events throughout the year for entrepreneurs. View our upcoming events below:
April 11 at 12:30 p.m. MT | Crowdcast
When it’s time to grow, finding the right people and building the right team quickly becomes one of your top priorities. Come hear from Adam Phillips, Managing Director of the Techstars Equitech Accelerator about how to find the right people, hire them, and retain them.
Industry events
Techstars staff attend many prominent industry events, including:
April 20 | Boston
Opportunity
The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Check out exit and funding news from the Techstars portfolio:
Portco funding
Vitally (Techstars NYC 2017), the customer success platform (CSP) seller, raises a $30M Series A round.
Atomos (Techstars Boulder 2019), the orbital transfer vehicle creator, pulls $16M in Series A funding.
Trust & Will (Techstars Anywhere 2018), the estate planning platform, secures $15M in funding after doubling its revenue.
Paperstack (Techstars Equitech 20212), an e-commerce lending platform, secures an additional $9M CAD in funding in an oversubscribed funding round.
Planetarians (Techstars Kansas City 2017), a plant-based protein producer, puts together $6M in venture funding.
Intelligems (Techstars Boulder 2021), the platform allowing e-commerce sellers to accurately price their products, raises $4.2M in seed funding.
Upwardli (Techstars Boulder 2022), the fintech startup offering credit-building products, collects $2M in seed funding.
PeakMetrics (Air Force Accelerator 2021), a machine-learning platform that analyzes emerging online narratives and trends, raises $2M to combat disinformation attacks.
Other news
Cairo Scene, Techstars' Ahmad Sufian Bayram on Entrepreneurship Beyond Borders, Mar. 14, 2023
Dallas Innovates, The Last Word: Techstars’ Maëlle Gavet Has Advice for Founders Navigating the SVB Crisis, Mar. 14, 2023
Yahoo! Finance, VC ecosystem will ‘likely’ change following SVB collapse, Techstars CEO says, Mar. 17, 2023
