Techstars

We are a pre-seed venture capital firm that runs accelerator programs and venture capital funds. Our goal is to invest in startups, helping entrepreneurs worldwide access more capital and generate returns for investors.

Founded in 2006, we connect startups, investors, corporations, and cities to build robust startup communities. Our offerings include a 3-month, mentorship-driven accelerator program that provides capital investment and network access. We also run Founder Catalyst, a 10-week pre-accelerator program, Startup Weekend for aspiring entrepreneurs, and Startup Week, which celebrates entrepreneurship in various cities.

Our accelerator companies have a strong track record: 74.5% raise money within three years of completing our program. Additionally, 18.5% of our portfolio companies have exited within five years, a figure that rises to 31.1% after eight years. Overall, Techstars accelerator companies have collectively raised $31 billion in lifetime capital, with an average first raise of over $1 million after the accelerator. We have supported over 10,800 founders, and 120 of our accelerator companies have achieved a market cap greater than $100 million.

Crunchbase has recognized us as the world’s most active pre-seed investor for two consecutive years. As of 2025, 22 of our portfolio companies have reached unicorn status, including SendGrid, DigitalOcean, PillPack, Chainalysis, Zipline, DataRobot, and Alloy.

Our mission is to invest in startups, enabling entrepreneurs worldwide to access more capital, generate returns for investors, and ultimately succeed.

Our values guide everything we do:

• #GiveFirst: We believe in helping others without expecting anything in return.
• Help Founders Succeed: All our decisions and programs focus on the success of the founders we support.
• All In, Together: We are committed partners who show up and follow through.
• Techstars for Life: We are dedicated to building a lifelong network and lasting relationships.

We currently employ between 201 and 500 people. Our culture is deeply mentorship-driven, with mentors playing a crucial role in our work. We operate under a “GiveFirst” philosophy, promoting generosity without the expectation of immediate returns.

Our work environment emphasizes that founders, mentors, investors, and partners are all part of a single team that wins, learns, and grows together. For our employees, the culture encourages autonomy, strong problem-solving skills, and contributing to a fast-paced startup environment. We aim for relationships built through Techstars to last a lifetime.