Techstars Update - August 2024
Aug 30, 2024
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 August.
In review:
2 new program announcements
12 accelerator programs with apps open
9 portfolio companies secured funding
15+ upcoming Techstars Community events
Capital
Each year we select hundreds of 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.
Portfolio Companies
Since 2006, Techstars has invested in 4,400+ companies. Our founder-first philosophy has connected us with startups across a range of verticals, linking them to a network of successful mentors and partners.
Partnerships & Collaborations
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 organizations supporting Techstars founders:
Techstars, Johns Hopkins University, and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield announced a collaboration to launch a new healthcare accelerator program designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs building pathways to better care through artificial intelligence.
“The application of artificial intelligence to healthcare will enable new avenues of innovation, creating more powerful solutions for patients more quickly,” said Andrew Cleland, chief investment officer at Techstars. “Entrepreneurs are at the center of this change as they apply cutting-edge technology to improve care and, ultimately, impact people’s lives. Their ability to collaborate with prominent health systems like Johns Hopkins and CareFirst, plus Techstars’ programming, capital, and connections will help multiply that impact.”
Techstars and Northwestern Medicine are collaborating to launch a new accelerator program that aims to advance healthcare innovation.
“This collaboration represents our unwavering commitment to supporting the growth and success of aspiring healthcare entrepreneurs,” said Doug King, chief information officer, Northwestern Medicine. “Our goal is to provide companies with a platform to work closely with our clinical and technical experts while fostering an environment that drives positive change in the healthcare industry."
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 worldwide.
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.
Applications
Learn more about our accelerator programs where founders gain funding, mentorship, and access to the Techstars network for life. The following programs are now accepting applications:
Build in Tulsa Techstars Accelerator
Northwestern Medicine & Techstars Healthcare Accelerator
Techstars AI Health Baltimore powered by Johns Hopkins University and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Techstars Anywhere Accelerator
Techstars Columbus powered by The Ohio State University
Techstars New York City Accelerator
Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator
USC and Techstars Digital Economy Program
Techstars Transformative World Torino
Apply for these programs by November 20, 2024.
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. See upcoming Demo Day events:
Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator
September 12 | Denver, CO
Techstars Atlanta Powered by Cox Enterprises
October 9 | Atlanta, GA
November 12 | Tokyo
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 Week
Startup Weekend is a three-day program where aspiring entrepreneurs can experience startup life in hundreds of cities worldwide. Startup Week is a celebration of entrepreneurship and the people shaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem in your city. See our September community events:
Techstars Startup Weekend Ávila
September 13-15, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend Energy São Paulo
September 13-16, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend Itajai
September 13-16, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend Resistencia
September 13-16, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend São Miguel do Oeste
September 13-16, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend Health SAO PAULO
September 14-17, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend Uni Dehradun
September 20-23, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend Women Saint-Pierre
September 20-23, 2024
Techstars Startup Week Sustainability Florianópolis
September 20-25, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend Aden
September 26-29, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend Aarhus
September 27-30, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend AI Villahermosa
September 27-30, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend Foz do Iguaçu
September 27-30, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend Jundiaí
September 27-30, 2024
Techstars Startup Weekend Mendoza
September 27-30, 2024
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:
September 3, 10 and 17
For a full list of upcoming Techstars virtual events, click here.
Opportunity
The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Check out the August fundraising news from the Techstars portfolio.
Fundraising News
Mushroom Material (Techstars 2020), a startup aiming to replace styrofoam with pelletized fungi packaging, raises $8.5M to build an Auckland pilot plant.
Climatize (Techstars 2022) closes a $1.75M pre-seed round to scale the global network of climate-focused investors to accelerate renewable energy adoption.
MD Ally (Techstars 2020) secures $14M Series A to transform emergency response through next-gen 911 virtual care.
Indianapolis tech startup Reportwell (Techstars 2024) lands $1.1M investment.
Clever Offsets (Techstars 2023) secures new funding to establish its platform as the leading source of truth for carbon market data.
Cork gym software startup LegitFit (Techstars 2021) to strengthen UK expansion plans with €1.7M raise.
Linker Finance (Techstars 2023) secures a $3.7M seed round from industry-leading investors to reimagine digital banking solutions for community banks.
LatAm startup Mercately (Techstars 2023), which is building back-end software to help brands better sell through WhatsApp, raises a $2.6M seed.
Tilt (Techstars 2020), the pioneering platform for leave management solutions, secures Series B funding to expand HR technology footprint.
Other News
Nikkei, Techstars Tokyo launched its inaugural class, which includes six companies from Japan and six from overseas, August 19
EU Startups Podcast, Episode 82: Martin Schilling, Managing Director of Techstars Berlin, August 22
Technical.ly, Techstars launches new AI healthcare accelerator in Baltimore, August 23
The Funding Blueprint, From Acceptance to Execution: Techstars’ Shirley Romig on Maximizing Accelerator Opportunities, August 26
Crain’s Chicago Business, Techstars, Northwestern Medicine launch early-stage accelerator, August 26
WSJ Pro Venture Capital (Newsletter), Techstars Launches Healthcare-AI Accelerator, August 27