Techstars Update - March 2024

Mar 29, 2024
Featured

Capital + Programs + Connection = Opportunity

Techstars connects unstoppable founders, wherever they are, with capital, programs, and connections to open up opportunities. See what we were up to in March.

In review:

12 new investments

10 portfolio companies secured funding

2 portfolio companies with exits

Capital

Each year we choose more than 700 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 below.

Portfolio Companies

Techstars has invested in 12 companies through 1 program in the past month, bringing our total portfolio to 4,166 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:

Techstars Tel Aviv Accelerator

Zoftware | The Daily Sale Shop | Shook | Propin | NoledgeLoss | ClaroAI | Satellites On Fire | NayamWings | aHRtemis | Storywise | DEAN Intelligence | Dear Doc Singapore

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 partner supporting Techstars founders:

Techstars Was Selected by IDB Lab To Implement a Program Directed to Enhance Innovation and Stem-Based Women Entrepreneurship in Central America and Ecuador

Techstars, the most active pre-seed investor in the world, was selected by IDB Lab, the entrepreneurial innovation arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, to implement a comprehensive program to support women-led startup growth and encourage female entrepreneurship in Central America and Ecuador.

“We have been working since 2013 through our flagship initiative, WeXchange, to unleash the growth potential of women entrepreneurs in STEM in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since then, our region has witnessed a significant growth of women entrepreneurs starting companies in these areas, but we still have a long way to go. We are excited to partner with Techstars, with the financial support of We-Fi, to back women founders from emerging entrepreneurial ecosystems, such as in Central America and Ecuador, in their journey to build and grow successful businesses,” said Magdalena Coronel, chief investment officer at IDB Lab.

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 has helped build thousands of successful companies, all over the world. 

Applications

Learn more about our 3-month accelerators where founders gain funding, mentorship, and access to the Techstars network for life. The following program has applications closing soon:

Techstars Atlanta Powered by Cox Enterprises

Apply by April 10.

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 virtual or in-person Demo Day event:

Techstars Impact Powered by Cox Enterprises

April 18 | Atlanta, GA

Techstars Columbus Powered by The Ohio State University

May 29 | Columbus, OH

Connection

Events & Pre-Accelerator Activity

We believe that while people and ideas are equally distributed, opportunity and resources are not. That is why we are committed to increasing access to entrepreneurship. All over the world.

Founder Catalyst

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

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 Health São Paulo

April 5-8

Techstars Startup Weekend Mulhouse

April 5-8

Techstars Startup Weekend Portsmouth

April 5-8

Techstars Startup Weekend AI Chapecó

April 12-14

Techstars Startup Weekend Cachoeiro de Itapemirim

April 12-15

Techstars Startup Weekend Oulu

April 12-15

Techstars Startup Weekend Siena

April 19-22

Techstars Startup Weekend Joinville

April 26-28

Techstars Startup Weekend St. Gallen

April 26-28

Techstars Startup Weekend AI Villahermosa

April 26-29

For a full list of upcoming Techstars Community events, click here.

Digital Events

Techstars hosts a variety of virtual events throughout the year for entrepreneurs. View our upcoming events below:

Techstars Fundraising Series

April 2, 9, 16

During this 3-part Techstars Fundraising Series, we’ll share the best tools to help you prepare for your next investor meeting. Register for each session by clicking the events below.

Must-Haves of an Investable Team

April 8 | 9 am ET

Come hear from Vijay Tirathrai, Managing Director of The Riyadh Techstars Accelerator about how to find the right people, hire them, and retain them.

Elevate Your Pitch: Founders' Virtual Deck Review

April 22 | 3 pm ET

​Join us for an engaging hour of refining and elevating your pitch!

Virtual Meet and Greet April

April 30 | 2 pm ET

Learn more about our Techstars Mentorship-Driven Accelerators and find out if Techstars is a good fit to help accelerate your startup.

Industry Events

Techstars staff attend many prominent industry events, including:

TechCrunch Early Stage

April 25 | Boston, MA

Opportunity

The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Check out the March funding and exit news from the Techstars portfolio:

Fundraising News

HData (Techstars 2021) raises $10M Series A to comb grid regulator data.

Healey-Driscoll Administration’s $1.4 million grant to Phoenix Tailings (Techstars 2020) advances sustainable production of rare earth metals in Massachusetts.

Treet (Techstars 2021) raises $10 million to democratize resale.

MDaaS Global (Techstars 2018) raises a $3 million Pre-Series A round of financing.

Little Place Labs (Techstars 2023) awarded a $1.8M AFWERX STTR Phase II contract.

Flowpay (Techstars 2022) raises over €2 million to make SME financing more accessible through embedded finance.

Edge Sound Research (Techstars 2021) raises a $1.9 million seed round.

Cargofive (Techstars 2021) raises €2.5 million to continue accelerating digital transformation in freight forwarding.

Refr Sports (Techstars 2023) raises $535,000 in pre-seed funding.

Femtek (Techstars 2023) secures $1 million for its cycle tracking ring you only wear to bed.

Exit News

BlockchainK2 announces update on strategic investment in RealBlocks (Techstars 2017).

Zendesk adds flexible AI agent capabilities with the acquisition of Ultimate (Techstars 2017).

Other News

Pulse 2.0: USC And Techstars Partnering On Accelerating Opportunities For Students, Faculty, And Alumni

Techstars CEO Maëlle Gavet was named to Barron’s 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance List

Startups Magazine: Funding into UK Tech Startups Dropped 18% in Q1 2024