David Cohen

Techstars is a global startup accelerator and venture capital firm founded in 2006 and headquartered in New York City. The accelerator provides capital, mentorship, and other support for early-stage entrepreneurs. As of January 2024, it had been used to launch roughly 4,100 companies with a combined market capitalization of over $116 billion USD. Techstars operates accelerator programs in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Companies started via Techstars include Uber, ClassPass, PillPack, Twilio, Remitly, DigitalOcean, Trust & Will, SketchFab, SendGrid, and GrabCAD.

Techstars admits approximately 1-2% of applicants, typically selecting 12 companies per cohort. Admission is determined by the program’s Managing Director, along with a screening committee consisting of members from the Techstars network. In exchange for 6% common stock, each company accepted into Techstars receives $220,000 in funding. Participants also gain access to the Techstars network and receive benefits valued at over $5 million, which include $100,000 in AWS credits. The accelerator program spans three months and is divided into three phases: mentorship, growth, and investment.

Techstars has a strong track record of supporting successful startups. As of January 2022, the firm had invested in 2,794 internet startups, including Uber, Twilio, SendGrid, and PillPack. These startups have collectively created more than $200 billion in enterprise value, with over 20 achieving unicorn status. Techstars continues to expand its global presence, with plans to invest in approximately 300 startups in 2025, 2026, and 2027. The firm's commitment to helping founders succeed remains at the core of its mission, fostering a vibrant network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors worldwide.