Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed, and J.P. Morgan, a leading global financial services firm, today announced the launch of the Techstars Founder Catalyst program. Based in Atlanta, this experience will provide valuable startup education and mentorship to a diverse cohort of up to 20 female entrepreneurs. It will also give them access to Techstars’ vast network of entrepreneurs, investors and corporate partners. The program will cultivate a critically important local community of innovative, ambitious and auspicious women who are all highly motivated to support each other’s success.

The Techstars Founder Catalyst program in partnership with J.P. Morgan will run from October through December 2021, with sessions and resources provided to participants virtually. Atlanta- based female ​​founders of early-stage, high-growth companies are encouraged to apply now through Sept. 3.

“While we’ve been making great progress in supporting female founders, we have an opportunity and responsibility to do so much more. Female founders face challenges above and beyond those of their male counterparts, and the global pandemic has only exasperated these challenges. That’s where Techstars and J.P. Morgan come in," said Program Lead Courtney Gras, Director at Techstars. "The Founder Catalyst Program is designed to elevate founders and remove barriers. We do this by connecting them to the mentorship, resources and education they need to move their company to the next level. Whether that’s raising their first round of funding or making their first sale, the Techstars network is here to make that happen.”

Past Techstars Founder Catalyst programs have resulted in hundreds of business and investor connections and seeded countless relationships between participants and mentors. By providing introductions to world-class resources and education, Techstars helps participants dramatically increase their chances of success. The tools, insights and strategies Techstars offers through its programs and services are based on the experience of operating nearly 50 accelerators around the world–and having invested in more than 2,500 companies to date. Collectively, the Techstars portfolio has raised more than $15.7 billion from investors and is worth more than $220 billion today.

“Women and other under-represented groups face a real problem when it comes to raising capital,” said Pamela Aldsworth, Head of Venture Capital Coverage for J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking. “They only receive a fraction of the investment dollars that male founders get. Working with Techstars, and purposely focusing on women and diverse founders, will only help the fly wheel increase. Having more diverse innovators and investors can have a huge trickle-down effect, with more women helping to lift up others who are just starting out.”

J.P. Morgan’s Innovation Economy business and the firm’s Women on the Move initiative will support the new Founder Catalyst program. Through its Innovation Economy business, J.P. Morgan provides high-growth, early-stage companies and founders the solutions they need to scale quickly–from credit and financing, treasury and payments, international banking, asset management and more. The Women on the Move initiative fuels female ambition and advances financial equality by providing greater access to capital, networks and advice. It serves women-owned or women-run businesses at all stages of development, from start-ups through large corporations.

Female founders in the Atlanta area interested in joining this Founder Catalyst program should start their application today or contact foundercatalyst@techstars.com.

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