Introducing the Techstars Healthtech Pre-Accelerator | Techstars

Techstars is launching the Healthtech Pre-Accelerator, a six-week virtual program that supports a class of 40 early-stage healthtech founders alongside a consortium of healthcare industry leaders.
Building in healthcare is hard, especially at the start. Founders have to understand clinical workflows, earn the trust of patients and providers, and navigate their way through a system where payers, regulators, and health systems all have a say. The earlier they get the right guidance and connections, the better their odds.
Today we're introducing the Techstars Healthtech Pre-Accelerator, a new program built for founders at that earliest stage. Over six weeks, a class of 40 early-stage healthtech founders will work with Techstars experts, Managing Directors, mentors, and a consortium of healthcare industry leaders to sharpen their ideas and prepare for what comes next.
The Healthtech Pre-Accelerator is fully virtual and built around three areas that matter most for early healthcare founders: healthcare networking, customer discovery, and storytelling.
Over six weeks, founders will:
Founders graduate with a sharper pitch, a clearer path forward, and long-term access to the Techstars network. They'll also be introduced to the Techstars Accelerator sourcing team for consideration in future programs.
The program is powered by a consortium of health systems, investors, and industry leaders. Partners teach masterclasses, mentor founders, and engage with the class throughout the six weeks. Founders get direct access to the people who understand healthcare's biggest challenges, and partners get an early look at the startups working to solve them.
The first class will bring together founders working on some of healthcare's most pressing problems.
Since 2006, Techstars has backed more than 500 health companies, building 20 years of experience helping healthcare founders grow. Four have reached valuations of $1 billion or more, including PillPack, which was acquired by Amazon, and OpenLoop.
We already run health accelerators alongside partners like Northwestern Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, and Permanente Medicine Mid-Atlantic States. Our network of more than 600 active mentors includes domain experts, along with exited healthcare founders who serve as Entrepreneurs in Residence.
The Healthtech Pre-Accelerator brings that experience to an earlier stage. It’s one step in a larger Techstars journey that supports founders from their earliest ideas through our accelerators and follow-on investment.
We’re now welcoming sponsors for the first consortium. Sponsoring partners help make the Healthtech Pre-Accelerator possible and get hands-on time with founders throughout the program. If your organization is interested, visit https://www.techstars.com/for/partners/pre-accelerator to learn more and get in touch.
Founders, stay tuned. We'll share details on how to apply soon.
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