Techstars

Techstars Central LLC, founded in 2006 and based in Boulder, Colorado, operates as a startup accelerator and venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage technology-oriented companies. It specializes in a mentorship-driven accelerator program, selecting ten startups each summer to participate in a three-month incubation period, offering funding of $120,000 in exchange for equity. Techstars invests primarily in sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, and IoT, while avoiding investments in medical devices, healthcare technology, and local service-oriented businesses. In addition to its primary accelerator, Techstars has various specialized programs, including those focused on music, retail, mobility, and social impact, with global reach extending to regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The firm prefers taking minority stakes, typically between six and ten percent, without seeking board representation or investor rights. Techstars has built a robust network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and corporate partners to foster innovation and growth within its portfolio, which includes over 1,000 companies with a significant collective market capitalization.

Ethan Austin

MD of the Techstars Western Union Accelerator

Mark Tortorella

Advisor

Nathanial Zola

MD

Past deals in Google Glass

EyeLights

Series A in 2023
EyeLights SAS is a French company that specializes in designing and manufacturing GPS-enabled motorcycle helmets. Founded in 2016 and based in Labege, EyeLights offers a unique head-up display that projects navigation, warnings about hazards, and traffic information directly into a rider's line of sight, allowing them to maintain focus on the road. The system integrates with smartphones via Bluetooth, enabling users to listen to music, take calls, and program road trips using voice commands. The compact device can be installed in under five minutes on various helmet types and operates for over eight hours, providing clear visibility even in challenging weather conditions. Weighing less than 100 grams, the EyeLights product is designed for practicality and ease of use, enhancing the overall riding experience.

NEUROFIT VR INC.

Seed Round in 2022
SaaS Virtual Reality Rehabilitation

Voxable

Funding Round in 2021
Inspired by the desire to have true “space captain” control over the home and office, Voxable crafts fine interactive voice applications.

SwingVision

Seed Round in 2021
SwingVision provides real-time video analysis and coaching to athletes using proprietary machine vision on just a single smartphone.

Pipedream Labs

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Hyperlogistics technology company that is seeking to create an autonomous delivery network capable of sub-minute delivery speeds for consumers.

ProductionAR

Pre Seed Round in 2021
ProductionAR specializes in developing augmented reality solutions for multiple industries.

Twelve Labs

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Twelve Labs transforms video into machine-consumable form.

Wisear

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Wisear helps user overcome their attention issues by building the first brain-wearable technology that can be implemented in any wireless earbuds In the near-term, we are providing monitoring and actionable feedback regarding our attention. In the future, we want to cover many additional mental states like relaxation & sleep. Our long-term goal is to provide medical detections for mental conditions like depression, epilepsy or ADHD

Tellescope

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Tellescope streamlines patient communications, making it easy for businesses to provide more trustworthy and engaging digital healthcare.

Tellescope

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Tellescope streamlines patient communications, making it easy for businesses to provide more trustworthy and engaging digital healthcare.

Foundry Six

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Foundry Six builds augmented reality multiplayer games that friends can play through group video chat.

SwingVision

Pre Seed Round in 2020
SwingVision provides real-time video analysis and coaching to athletes using proprietary machine vision on just a single smartphone.

Spiral Technology

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Spiral Technology delivers augmented reality software and adapts sophisticated technical content for Mixed Reality devices used in automating industrial maintenance, inspection, manufacturing and assembly.

Transparent Kitchen

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Transparent Kitchen's mission is to enable our industry to transition into an exciting future by developing the first intelligent food and beverage discovery platform. We create meaningful content that effectively tells the stories of our restaurants, chefs, and suppliers, empowering the next generation of diners

ARpalus

Pre Seed Round in 2019
ARpalus is a company based in Caesarea, Israel, that designs and develops a platform aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for retailers and consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers through advanced augmented reality (AR) capabilities. Its solution integrates artificial intelligence and computer vision to digitize retail shelves, enabling better execution of in-store operations. Employees can use devices such as smartphones, tablets, or AR glasses to scan shelves and receive real-time notifications regarding out-of-stock items and compliance issues. Additionally, ARpalus's platform allows the creation of detailed planograms that include product information, pricing, signage, and promotions, which can be accessed by consumers through a companion application. This technology aims to improve employee productivity and facilitate data collaboration within organizations.

Cleo Robotics

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Cleo Robotics is developing a revolutionary new drone technology designed specifically for indoor applications.

1lens

Pre Seed Round in 2019
1lens builds an augmented reality app that lets users edit with permanent stickers and shoot videos. Its mission is to annotate the world with creative visual ideas. It was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Marble

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Marble is an augmented reality platform for everyday use.

Micron3DP

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Micron3DP develops and introduces high resolution molten glass 3D printing. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Kfar Saba, Israel.

Driver Technologies

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Driver is a hardware-free mobile app that allows users to video record their trip while receiving alerts when they are at risk of hitting another car or pedestrian, drifting out of their lane, falling asleep or getting too distracted - all for free. The app will also enable users to control their phone with their voice in order to enable safe consumption of original and partnership-based: entertainment, news, communications, traffic and augmented reality navigation.

3co

Pre Seed Round in 2018
3co builds augmented reality and artificial intelligence to help their users with work space and ship the solution to their doorstep. It develops 3D scanning robotics and augmented reality APIs for iOS and Android e-commerce apps. The company is based in London, United Kingdom.

Nytilus

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Nytilus is developing a novel computational imaging tachnology for augemented reality.

Invision AI

Seed Round in 2017
Invision AI is focused on transforming the Internet of Things (IoT) into the Internet of Intelligent Things by developing advanced artificial intelligence software that operates directly on edge devices. This approach allows these devices to generate valuable situational insights without the need for costly hardware or reliance on cloud services. By enabling intelligent processing at the edge, Invision AI enhances the capabilities of IoT devices, making them more efficient and effective in gathering and analyzing data.

Ordercube

Seed Round in 2017
Ordercube GmbH, founded in 2013 and based in Grafing, Germany, specializes in creating an innovative illuminated cube designed to replace traditional candles on restaurant tables. This acrylic glass cube is powered by rechargeable batteries and features a touch sensor that allows guests to signal when they wish to order or pay, facilitating communication with waitstaff. The cube's design includes a dirt-resistant coating, customizable options through an application, and a brightness sensor that adjusts the light based on the time of day. By enhancing the dining experience, Ordercube aims to improve service efficiency in the restaurant industry.

EyeLights

Seed Round in 2017
EyeLights SAS is a French company that specializes in designing and manufacturing GPS-enabled motorcycle helmets. Founded in 2016 and based in Labege, EyeLights offers a unique head-up display that projects navigation, warnings about hazards, and traffic information directly into a rider's line of sight, allowing them to maintain focus on the road. The system integrates with smartphones via Bluetooth, enabling users to listen to music, take calls, and program road trips using voice commands. The compact device can be installed in under five minutes on various helmet types and operates for over eight hours, providing clear visibility even in challenging weather conditions. Weighing less than 100 grams, the EyeLights product is designed for practicality and ease of use, enhancing the overall riding experience.

Immersed

Convertible Note in 2017
Immersed Inc. is a company based in Cincinnati, Ohio, specializing in Virtual Reality (VR) workplace productivity software. Founded in 2016, the company focuses on developing technologies that eliminate barriers to remote work, aiming to enhance productivity and improve the overall work experience. Immersed's software enables laptops to connect with mobile devices, allowing distributed teams to collaborate in a shared VR environment. This innovative approach seeks to transform the way people work, promoting efficiency and creating a more enjoyable workplace experience.

Immersed

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Immersed Inc. is a company based in Cincinnati, Ohio, specializing in Virtual Reality (VR) workplace productivity software. Founded in 2016, the company focuses on developing technologies that eliminate barriers to remote work, aiming to enhance productivity and improve the overall work experience. Immersed's software enables laptops to connect with mobile devices, allowing distributed teams to collaborate in a shared VR environment. This innovative approach seeks to transform the way people work, promoting efficiency and creating a more enjoyable workplace experience.

Geopipe

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Geopipe specializes in creating immersive digital twins of the real world through advanced machine learning and algorithmic tools. The company processes vast amounts of geographic and numeric data, including satellite images, maps, and laser scans, utilizing cloud-based distributed systems to reconstruct entire cities rapidly. This innovative approach allows for efficient simulations in various fields such as gaming, architecture, and urban planning. By providing real estate developers with authoritative digital representations, Geopipe helps streamline project timelines, ultimately saving time and costs in the development process.

Mio Robots

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Mio Technologies develops robots with self-driving technology for product vending and brand marketing.

Smart Vision Labs

Series A in 2017
Smart Vision Labs helps optical stores to capture sales by offering remote vision exams and eyewear prescriptions to their customers. It offers a mobile-phone based vision exam where patients can obtain an eyewear prescription in minutes without the need for a doctor on-site.

AkibaH, Inc.

Seed Round in 2017
AkibaH, Inc. designs and develops a smartphone case glucose meter for diabetes management. It offers GluCase, a compact smartphone case glucose meter that communicates with a mobile application and physician dashboard to present glucose levels in context of other information, such as activity and diet, giving users and caretakers the ability to impact on their health in real time. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is based in San Jose, California.

Cucumber Tony

Seed Round in 2017
Cucumber is an orchestration platform for WiFi devices. It lets businesses manage their networks from a single-pane of glass.

Vidrovr

Seed Round in 2017
Vidrovr Inc. specializes in video processing technology that organizes and enhances video content through advanced multimodal computer vision and machine learning systems. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in New York, the company offers solutions that automatically index, tag, and understand videos, allowing users to efficiently search and retrieve specific content. Its platform includes a Metadata API that facilitates direct video uploads and provides time-stamped metadata for improved searchability. Additionally, Vidrovr features a Clip Generator that creates social media-ready clips, seamlessly integrating them back into content management systems. The company's technology is particularly tailored for various domains, including sports, government, and media, enabling users to link video content with other media such as photos and text.

Invision AI

Convertible Note in 2016
Invision AI is focused on transforming the Internet of Things (IoT) into the Internet of Intelligent Things by developing advanced artificial intelligence software that operates directly on edge devices. This approach allows these devices to generate valuable situational insights without the need for costly hardware or reliance on cloud services. By enabling intelligent processing at the edge, Invision AI enhances the capabilities of IoT devices, making them more efficient and effective in gathering and analyzing data.

Rocketbook

Seed Round in 2016
Rocket Innovations connects natural writing surfaces to the cloud using your smartphone. Our flagship Rocketbook notebook combines the freedom of pen and paper with the utility of cloud services. It also erases itself in a microwave. The Rocketbook has become one of the most widely funded Indiegogo campaigns ever.

Smart Vision Labs

Series A in 2015
Smart Vision Labs helps optical stores to capture sales by offering remote vision exams and eyewear prescriptions to their customers. It offers a mobile-phone based vision exam where patients can obtain an eyewear prescription in minutes without the need for a doctor on-site.

Solenica

Seed Round in 2015
Solenica, based in Rome, Italy, designs a solar-powered robot named "Lucy" that enhances natural illumination in residential spaces. This innovative device features photovoltaic cells and a mirror that tracks the sun, reflecting sunlight into areas of the home that typically lack direct light. By redirecting sunlight, Lucy aims to improve the quality of indoor lighting and is intended to be integrated within smart home systems, thereby redefining conventional approaches to natural lighting.

Magnet

Pre Seed Round in 2014
Magnet to focus on an exciting new product.

Headtalk

Seed Round in 2014
Headtalk‘s platform enables a new kind of nonverbal communication with wearable devices.

ollo wearables

Seed Round in 2014
Ollo Wearables Inc. develops and provides a single-button, push-to-talk smart phone with no display for senior citizens and children. The company offers a cloud phone which includes GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sensors and is waterproof and shock-resistant. It also provides voice control and sensors that detect falls and inactivity and can alert emergency contacts. The company was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

AkibaH, Inc.

Pre Seed Round in 2014
AkibaH, Inc. designs and develops a smartphone case glucose meter for diabetes management. It offers GluCase, a compact smartphone case glucose meter that communicates with a mobile application and physician dashboard to present glucose levels in context of other information, such as activity and diet, giving users and caretakers the ability to impact on their health in real time. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is based in San Jose, California.

Headtalk

Seed Round in 2014
Headtalk‘s platform enables a new kind of nonverbal communication with wearable devices.

Smart Vision Labs

Pre Seed Round in 2013
Smart Vision Labs helps optical stores to capture sales by offering remote vision exams and eyewear prescriptions to their customers. It offers a mobile-phone based vision exam where patients can obtain an eyewear prescription in minutes without the need for a doctor on-site.

Chapter

Pre Seed Round in 2013
Chapter is offering an app used for video lifelogging for Google Glass. The company is based in Seattle, Washington.

Chapter

Seed Round in 2013
Chapter is offering an app used for video lifelogging for Google Glass. The company is based in Seattle, Washington.

Perfect

Seed Round in 2013
We take videos you record on Google Glass and create an ongoing movie for your life. Record the things in life you want to remember, three seconds at a time.

Voxon Photonics

Seed Round in 2012
Voxon Photonics are creators of the Voxon VX1 – the world’s most advanced three-dimensional (3D) volumetric display. Incorporated in 2013, we have teams based in Australia and the US that have been developing the 3D volumetric technology for more than nine years. Our 3D volumetric technology brings digital content to life and helps empower people to visualise, communicate, learn and have fun in a collaborative manner with no barrier to the 3D experience, and no glasses required. Our 3D Volumetric technology is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. In literal terms, we have created a futuristic display technology capable of producing truly 3D digital images that can render animated or static imagery as genuinely three-dimensional holograms – high definition, infinitely complex and manipulable, and viewable with the naked eye from any angle. No illusions. No special glasses. The volumetric science is absolutely cutting-edge. But emotionally, it couldn’t be simpler. When people see it in action for the first time, regardless of their age, interests or background, they are mesmerised. There, right in front of their eyes, is science fiction – magic – made real. With the Voxon Photonic Engine, the Voxon VX1, we haven’t just taken 3D holographic display to another level, we’ve launched it into a whole new dimension.

Oblong

Series A in 2007
Oblong Industries is a design-driven software and hardware company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2006, Oblong focuses on advancing gesture-based and spatial computing technologies, which stem from research at the MIT Media Lab. The company’s flagship product, Mezzanine, is a room-scale visual collaboration system that facilitates dynamic multi-user interactions across multiple screens and devices, enabling participants to share data and collaborate effectively in real-time. Mezzanine is designed to enhance meetings and workflows by making information visible and accessible, transforming routine processes into engaging experiences. Oblong’s g-speak Spatial Operating Environment serves as the foundation for its application development, allowing organizations to create inherently collaborative solutions. The company has partnered with various Global Fortune 500 firms and government agencies, applying its technologies in sectors such as aerospace, logistics, energy management, and data visualization. Oblong's team includes experienced professionals from notable companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft, underscoring its commitment to innovation in collaborative technologies.