Techstars Update - March 2025
Mar 31, 2025
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:
14 portfolio companies secured funding
2 portfolio companies were acquired
1 Techstars Founder Catalyst program will open applications soon
Capital
Each year, we select hundreds of companies to join one of our 3-month, mentorship-driven accelerators, investing capital and providing hands-on mentorship and access to the Techstars network for life.
Portfolio Companies
Since 2006, Techstars has invested in 4,800+ 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.
Programs
Techstars accelerators have one goal: to help founders succeed. We believe that great founders 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 Open
Learn more about our 3-month accelerators where founders gain funding, mentorship, and access to the Techstars network. The following accelerator program is accepting applications:
Apply by May 14, 2025.
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.
The following program has applications opening soon:
USC and Techstars University Catalyst
Applications open on April 11, 2025.
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 startup community in your city. See our April community events:
Techstars Startup Weekend Albufeira
April 4-7, 2025
Techstars Startup Weekend Joinville
April 4-7, 2025
Techstars Startup Weekend Dakar
April 10-13, 2025
Techstars Startup Weekend AI Nizwa
April 17-20, 2025
Techstars Startup Weekend Balneário Camboriú
April 25-28, 2025
For a full list of upcoming Techstars events, click here.
Calling all USC Trojans with a curiosity for entrepreneurship and startups!
Join and share the USC and Techstars Startup Weekend 2025 on April 11-13 where you can pitch your idea, build a team, and launch a business – all in one weekend!
USC faculty/staff, alumni, and students are invited to pitch tech and digitally enabled solutions including those in DeepTech, Health / BioTech, AI, FinTech, EdTech ideas, and more.
Register and #FightOn!
Virtual Events
Techstars hosts a variety of virtual events throughout the year for entrepreneurs. View our upcoming events below:
April 29 at 1 pm ET
At this Virtual Meet and Greet, you’ll:
Learn more about our Techstars mentorship-driven accelerators
Receive updates on application open dates and process
Gain insight on tips and tricks when preparing your application
Find out if Techstars is a good fit to help accelerate your startup
Receive real-time feedback for your questions
For a full list of upcoming Techstars events, click here.
Opportunity
Techstars helps founders succeed. Check out the March fundraising news from the Techstars portfolio.
Fundraising News
Humanitru (Techstars 2021), a leading data-driven strategy and engagement platform for mid- to enterprise-level nonprofits, successfully closes a $3M fundraising round.
Lantern Finance (Techstars 2024), a U.S. financial services and technology company, raises $1M+ in pre-seed funding.
First Ascent Bio (Techstars 2021), a company using AI and genetic testing for personalized treatment plans, receives $2M from the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund.
Esper Satellites (Techstars 2023), which is building hyperspectral imaging satellites to detect mineral deposits on Earth, closes a $3.1M seed round.
Daupler (Techstars 2018), the leading response management solution for utilities and municipalities, closes a $15M Series B round.
Trust & Will (Techstars 2018), the nation's leading digital estate planning platform, closes a $25M+ Series C funding round.
Jaipur Robotics (Techstars 2024), a pioneering technology company revolutionizing the waste management industry, closes an initial $800,000 pre-seed funding round.
Intelligems (Techstars 2021) raises $9M in a Series A round to fuel the profit growth platform for ecommerce brands.
Nimblemind.ai (Techstars 2024), a Chicago, IL-based provider of an AI-powered data infrastructure platform, raises $2.5M in funding.
Neural Defend (Techstars 2025), an AI-powered cybersecurity startup, raises $600,000+ in a pre-seed funding round.
SkySpecs (Techstars 2014), a global leader in renewable energy asset health management, autonomous drone inspections, and tech-enabled software solutions, raises $20M in strategic growth capital.
Flowpay (Techstars 2022), a Prague-based fintech company, has secured €30M in debt financing.
Klaim (Techstars 2021) raises $26M Series A to fast-track insurance claim payments for healthcare providers.
KredFeed (Techstars 2023) closes $1.5M seed round to strengthen financing for SMEs in manufacturing.
Exit News
Cylinder acquires Dieta Health (Techstars 2020), creator of the first clinically validated AI-powered stool imaging app.
Tempus AI, Inc. acquires Deep 6 AI (Techstars 2016), a leading AI-powered precision research platform for healthcare organizations and life sciences companies.
Other News
David Cohen spoke at the Florida Funders VC Summit about Techstars’ belief that startup communities are key to successful startups. (Refresh Miami)
Techstars Web3 MD Pete Townsend spoke to Irish Tech News about Techstars and the trends he’s seeing from blockchain and web3 startups. (Irish Tech News via Spotify)
Techstars unveiled the inaugural class of its AI Health Baltimore accelerator. The program, supported by a partnership with Johns Hopkins University and regional insurance provider CareFirst, focuses on startups using AI to tackle issues in various parts of the healthcare and medical system. (Technical.ly)
The inaugural class of Techstars' Chicago health care accelerator was announced. Launched in partnership with Northwestern Medicine, the program is the latest example of industry-specific accelerators becoming a greater focal point for investors amid shifting grounds in Chicago's startup creation landscape. (Chicago Business Journal)