Techstars Startup Acceleration Program 2023

Techstars offers entrepreneurs from around the world the chance to accelerate their projects by being part of the 2022 Techstars Smart Mobility Accelerator. This program focuses on transformative smart mobility technologies with a concentration on smart infrastructure and smart cities.

Upon acceptance to a Techstars Accelerator, Techstars contributes $20,000, which is commonly used as a stipend to support living expenses during the program, and in return receives 6% equity of the company (on a fully diluted basis, issued as common stock) until the company raises a priced equity financing of US $250,000 or more (a “Qualified Financing”). However, if a company conducts a Network Launch using distributed ledger technology (i.e. a blockchain initial coin offering, token event, etc.), then Techstars will also receive 6% of the Token Reserve (i.e. the tokens “held back” for the founders and the company at Network Launch). In addition, all accepted companies are offered a $100,000 convertible note.

Each company also receives:

• Access to Techstars resources for life.
• Acceleration in a 90-day Techstars program with intense, hands-on mentorship from Techstars Mentors.
• Connections to the Techstars Network of over 10,000 founders, alumni, and mentors globally.
• 120+ perks and growing.
• Office space for three months (unless you are participating in a virtual program).
• Demo Day and other investor connections.
• Equity Back Guarantee.

Techstars fund technology-oriented companies, typically these are web-based or other software companies, but they've funded companies that don’t quite fit that mold as well. Techstars is also looking for companies that can have national or worldwide reach. Specifically, Techstars don’t fund biotechnology companies, restaurants, consultancies, or other local service-oriented companies.

Selection Criteria:

Techstars for this program look at team, market, progress, idea—in that order.

Techstars chooses great founders who are proposing products that solve real problems or create meaningful innovations. For this accelerator program, it’s about the team. For this reason, Techstars is less likely to accept single founder companies (you’re less likely to have all the skills your company needs to succeed).

The best things you can do to strengthen your application are:

• Round out your team with business, technical, and other necessary skills;
• Make progress on your prototype or product and reference it in the application;
• Show you’ve really thought about your business and have gotten out there to do something about it;
• Demonstrate early traction or provide data points to validate your core assumptions.

About Techstars:

Techstars is offering Techstars Seattle Accelerator, Located in the home metropolitan area of two of the largest technology companies in the world and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, this program continues to grow its legacy of startup success as it enters its second decade. In 2021 this program hopes to provide a hybrid of remote and in-person programming, dependent upon COVID-19 conditions.

See more available workshops or trainings on For9a

See more available grants on For9a

See more available competition and awards on For9a