Our Mission, Values & History Since 2006 | Techstars

Since 2006, Techstars has been investing in the world’s most ambitious founders. We find great founders early, through a global network two decades in the making, and back them with capital, mentorship, and the connections they need to grow.
At Techstars, we believe in helping without expecting something in return. Whether you're a founder, mentor, or partner, our first question is always: "How can we support you?" We lead with generosity, not transactions, because great communities are built on trust and collaboration.
Since 2006, our mission has been rooted in a single core value: Give First. We provide early-stage teams with the capital, institutional credibility, and localized support needed to navigate fundraising and accelerate growth.
From first-time entrepreneurs to early-stage teams, Techstars gives startups the funding, mentorship, and connections they need to build fast and grow smart. Techstars founders also have access to perks valued at more than $4M.
Mentorship is the heart of Techstars. Leaders from companies like HubSpot, Stripe, Google, Nike, Amazon, ESPN, and more share their insights and experience, building lifelong connections that power the entire network.
Corporations, startup communities, universities, and governments partner with Techstars to access innovation, support local entrepreneurial ecosystems, and co-create the future of their industries.
Techstars is a leading pre-seed and early-stage venture capital firm. We have delivered strong, consistent returns across our portfolio since our first accelerator in 2007.
Our accelerator programs are the foundation of Techstars, offering mentorship-driven investment to startups that are ready to grow fast.
A pre-accelerator program helping founders gain the tools, mentorship, and support to launch successful startups.
A three-day event for aspiring entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas, assemble a team, and bring a company to life.
Explore the key milestones that shaped our journey and meet some of the people who played a pivotal role along the way.
The founding email is sent from David Cohen to David Brown with the original idea for Techstars.
Techstars becomes a reality with founders David Cohen, David Brown, Brad Feld, and Jared Polis.
Techstars hosts its first accelerator program in Boulder, Colorado.
Andrew Hyde creates Startup Weekend and hosts the first event in Boulder.
Marc Nager, Clint Nelson, and Franck Nouyrigat join as co-founders of Startup Weekend and set up an office in Seattle.
Techstars launches its first venture fund, Techstars Ventures 2009 ($5M).
Techstars launches an accelerator program in Boston.
Startup Digest joins the Startup Weekend family.
Techstars launches an accelerator program in Seattle.
The first Startup Week, which grows out of Startup Weekend, happens in 2010 in Boulder.
Techstars launches a fourth accelerator program location in New York City.
Techstars raises its second fund, Techstars Ventures 2012 ($25M).
Four communities adopt the Startup Week format: Boulder, Denver, Austin, and Lincoln.
Techstars acquires Excelerate Labs to create the Techstars Chicago Accelerator.
Techstars launches its first international accelerator by acquiring Springboard in London.
Techstars raises its third fund, Techstars Ventures 2014 ($155M).
Startup Week expands to 14 new cities, including locations in Canada.
New programs include a partnership with Target and expansion into Israel and South Africa.
Startup Week goes overseas, expanding to Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Techstars acquires UP Global, the organization behind Startup Weekend, Startup Week, and Startup Digest, to join forces in helping founders succeed.
Techstars opens new accelerator program locations in Germany and the U.S.
By 2016, there are 47 Startup Weeks worldwide with 83,000+ attendees.
Techstars continues to expand, opening accelerators in Australia, France, UAE, and Norway.
Techstars announces a joint venture with ANSR, a leader in Global In-House Centers, to further expand Techstars' network in India.
Techstars Anywhere Accelerator launches to create an accessible Techstars accelerator experience for great founders, anywhere.
Techstars shares a new, simplified brand identity for a more unified way to tell our story.
Techstars runs the first Founder Catalyst pre-accelerator program.
Techstars announces new accelerator programs powered by J.P. Morgan that invest more than $80M in diverse founders across the U.S.
Crunchbase names Techstars as the world’s most active pre-seed investor two years in a row.