Investor directory

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.

Focus

Pre Seed RoundSeed RoundArtificial IntelligenceMachine LearningSeries AShow more
http://techstars.com/ventures
https://crunchbase.com/organization/techstars
https://facebook.com/techstars
https://linkedin.com/company/techstars
https://twitter.com/techstars
https://www.capitaliq.com/CIQDotNet/company.aspx?companyId=431767203
https://www.privateequityinternational.com/database/#/profile?id=14977

Ethan Austin

MD of the Techstars Western Union Accelerator

Mark Tortorella

Advisor

Nathanial Zola

MD

Past deals in Video on Demand

Inthegame

Series A in 2022
ITG is an AI-Powered video engagement and monetization platform for VOD & Live video content. Viewer interaction is dramatically enhanced with clickable, intuitive modules, creating a unique and exciting viewing experience.

OneScreen.AI

Seed Round in 2021
We make it easy for the right people to spend the right money and get the right content on the right screen at the right time.

MixPose

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Yoga streaming with AI

Black Oak TV

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Black Oak TV focuses on digital media, film, television, video streaming, and content such as black web series. They created short films, TV shows, movies, and more to check out on their website, YouTube, Facebook, and IG. Their company has offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Oakland.

Twelve Labs

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

JusticeText

Pre Seed Round in 2021
JusticeText develops an audiovisual evidence management platform for the justice system and criminal defense attorneys. The company’s platform generates an automated transcription of the uploaded video evidence and produces fairer outcomes in the criminal justice system by expediting the review of crucial audiovisual data, including body camera footage, interrogation videos, and jail calls. It enables public defenders to process and incorporate crucial audio and video evidence in defense of their clients. The company was founded in 2019 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

AfroLandTV

Pre Seed Round in 2020
AfroLandTV Inc. provides subscription streaming entertainment service through its TV platform for pan African TV shows and movies. It offers movies, web series, shows, and others. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Newark, Delaware.

Y-hat AI

Pre Seed Round in 2020
For anyone with large volumes of video, Y-hat AI offers semantic search in videos stored on our cloud through AI. This results in 36,000x faster search compared to lexical search of manually written video tags and titles stored elsewhere.

Blue Fever

Seed Round in 2020
An empathetic AI in the pocket of young women across the US. Users message 'Blue' who listens like a friend or big sister to recommend videos based on the user's emotional need. A Techstars-backed company.

VideoPeel

Pre Seed Round in 2020
VideoPeel is the premier remote video capturing platform for businesses to capture, respond to, analyze and share videos from their customers. VideoPeel helps businesses 10X their amount of user generated video content, so they can drive 20% plus conversions, traffic, satisfaction, and consumer insights. We’re improving the way online marketing, research and communications is done.

Bonflite

Seed Round in 2020
2-min YouTube Video Intro: https://youtu.be/qfpCxyyXr9M

Clicktivated

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Clicktivated Video, INC. owns and operates an Amplified Video Engagement (AVE) platform that allows users to interact with individual products featured within video and buy it. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Birmingham, Alabama with additional offices in Detroit, Michigan; New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; and Los Angeles, California.

Storytap

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Storytap is a video automation platform that helps ecommerce marketers enhance traffic and conversions through authentic customer video reviews. The platform allows businesses to create and circulate user-generated video content effectively. With a user-friendly web interface, Storytap facilitates the production of branding videos by enabling users to share and upload content from various social media sites, blogs, and client feedback. This approach assists businesses in generating video testimonials and fostering audience engagement, ultimately driving online growth and increasing inbound leads.

Flex

Convertible Note in 2018
Flex delivers non traditional live video HIIT classes to be taken at home, and by non traditional we mean hilariously entertaining. Participants all tune in wearing Apple watches resulting in a real-time "score" leaderboard visible throughout where we use machine learning to intelligently count your exercises. Available on smart TV boxes and native mobile apps with full casting support, it's as easy to view on your large television screen as Netflix. Instructors call out viewers by name throughout. This is backed by a digital community with competitions, rewards, challenges and sharing and supporting of personal journeys.

Flex

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Flex delivers non traditional live video HIIT classes to be taken at home, and by non traditional we mean hilariously entertaining. Participants all tune in wearing Apple watches resulting in a real-time "score" leaderboard visible throughout where we use machine learning to intelligently count your exercises. Available on smart TV boxes and native mobile apps with full casting support, it's as easy to view on your large television screen as Netflix. Instructors call out viewers by name throughout. This is backed by a digital community with competitions, rewards, challenges and sharing and supporting of personal journeys.

StoryXpress

Convertible Note in 2017
StoryXpress Inc. is a company headquartered in Roselle, Illinois, that specializes in cloud-based video creation tools. Founded in 2017, it offers an API that allows businesses to seamlessly integrate video creation capabilities into their platforms, enabling the conversion of images, text, and video clips into promotional videos. This automation significantly reduces the time and cost associated with traditional video production, which can be prohibitively expensive for many retailers. By providing a web-based DIY application, StoryXpress empowers small and medium businesses to create high-quality promotional videos without requiring advanced video editing skills. This solution not only enhances the customer experience but also increases conversion rates on e-commerce websites by transforming existing product catalogs into engaging video content.

Sensifai

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Sensifai offers the world's most comprehensive video recognition system (1) on the cloud, and also (2) embedded in the device. We developed a deep learning platform which incorporates both audio data and visual data of videos interactively and simultaneously to recognize video content. The software is available live on Amazon Web Service Marketplace and everybody can subscribe and use it.

Sensifai

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Sensifai offers the world's most comprehensive video recognition system (1) on the cloud, and also (2) embedded in the device. We developed a deep learning platform which incorporates both audio data and visual data of videos interactively and simultaneously to recognize video content. The software is available live on Amazon Web Service Marketplace and everybody can subscribe and use it.

Nameless Network

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Nameless Network creates smart video programming for the smart phone generation. We’re like the Discovery Channel reimagined for a young, internet-savvy mobile media consumer. We create and distribute programming that reaches over 300 million young people each month. Our audience of 10+ million subscribers is 90% mobile and 85% under 34 years old.

StoryXpress

Seed Round in 2017
StoryXpress Inc. is a company headquartered in Roselle, Illinois, that specializes in cloud-based video creation tools. Founded in 2017, it offers an API that allows businesses to seamlessly integrate video creation capabilities into their platforms, enabling the conversion of images, text, and video clips into promotional videos. This automation significantly reduces the time and cost associated with traditional video production, which can be prohibitively expensive for many retailers. By providing a web-based DIY application, StoryXpress empowers small and medium businesses to create high-quality promotional videos without requiring advanced video editing skills. This solution not only enhances the customer experience but also increases conversion rates on e-commerce websites by transforming existing product catalogs into engaging video content.

Blue Fever

Seed Round in 2017
An empathetic AI in the pocket of young women across the US. Users message 'Blue' who listens like a friend or big sister to recommend videos based on the user's emotional need. A Techstars-backed company.

Virgo Surgical Video Solutions

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Virgo Surgical Video Solutions, Inc. is a company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in developing a cloud-based video recording platform tailored for the healthcare sector, particularly in gastroenterology. Incorporated in 2017, Virgo offers its Virgo AI platform, which enables endoscopic video recording while ensuring HIPAA compliance, data encryption, and secure cloud storage. This innovative solution replaces traditional methods of capturing video from procedures like colonoscopies and upper endoscopies, which often relied on DVDs and thumb drives. By streamlining video capture and accessibility, Virgo enhances the ability of gastroenterologists to utilize video for various purposes, including patient care, quality improvement, research, and training.

Teltoo

Seed Round in 2016
Teltoo uses P2P technologies to improve online video delivery. Teltoo works alongside its clients preferred CDN, turning video distribution into a reliable experience. It integrates into broadcasters' workflow and works on the browser's background without expecting its clients to install any plug-ins. Teltoo also offers an analytics dashboard that shows bandwidth savings and activity and is compatible with most video players. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Louisville, Colorado.

Veeplay

Seed Round in 2016
Veeplay offers a video technology platform that employs innovative ad-formats and delivery methods to help broadcasters maximise revenue inside OTT products. Veeplay's product suite is composed by: a) universal video player & ad-server b) Dynamic Ad Insertion server c) Analytics suite. Veeplay's customers see, on average, a 30% increase in their advertising revenue when switching to Veeplay. \ Every month, we deliver over 300M video ads for leading media organisations in Europe & the US, including Pro7Sat1, Sport1, Wetter.com, Pongalo & Shopkick.

VidGrid

Pre Seed Round in 2015
VidGrid is an enterprise video platform that focuses on enhancing communication through interactive videos. The platform allows users to record and host videos while incorporating features such as in-video questions and interactive captions. It also offers integrations and a customizable video API, enabling clients to transform traditional video into a two-way conversation. This functionality empowers organizations to capture knowledge, engage with their audience, and effectively manage the flow of information. VidGrid's solutions are designed to support various business sectors, facilitating improved communication and collaboration in areas such as sales, customer success, training, and education.

Studio

Pre Seed Round in 2015
Studio makes audio based group running classes available live and on-demand to anyone with access to a treadmill. Each class is a mix of great instruction from an awesome coach matched with an amazing playlist. Think of it like a SoulCycle class for running, that you can take at anytime that’s convenient for you.

Rad

Seed Round in 2015
Rad operates a global network focused on virtual reality, 360 video, and immersive experiences, catering to the growing demand for innovative content consumption. Through its platform, Rad delivers a diverse range of programming, including eSports, music, comedy, and sports, appealing particularly to Millennial and Gen Z audiences. The service stands out by offering a variety of viewing formats such as 2D, 3D, 4K, live, and immersive VR content. Additionally, Rad incorporates blockchain technology and peer-to-peer networking, enabling viewers to earn rewards points and engage with the community. This unique combination positions Rad as a hub for next-generation viewers seeking edgy and interactive entertainment.

Rad

Seed Round in 2015
Rad operates a global network focused on virtual reality, 360 video, and immersive experiences, catering to the growing demand for innovative content consumption. Through its platform, Rad delivers a diverse range of programming, including eSports, music, comedy, and sports, appealing particularly to Millennial and Gen Z audiences. The service stands out by offering a variety of viewing formats such as 2D, 3D, 4K, live, and immersive VR content. Additionally, Rad incorporates blockchain technology and peer-to-peer networking, enabling viewers to earn rewards points and engage with the community. This unique combination positions Rad as a hub for next-generation viewers seeking edgy and interactive entertainment.

Magicflix

Seed Round in 2014
Magicflix is a safe, curated video service for kids 12 years and younger. Magicflix aggregates videos from award-winning, original content creators from across the world. Magicflix provides a safe environment for children to view videos by curating them to be safe, age-appropriate and positive. Magicflix is now live on the App store. Magicflix is a Techstars Seattle 2014 startup and is based out of Seattle, WA. Magicflix is led by a strong technology team and 3 of Magicflix' 4 founders are moms including the CEO, Mamtha Banerjee. Together with it's content partners, Magicflix' mission is to make the mobile world a safer place for our children.

WICASTR

Seed Round in 2014
WICASTR Limited, based in London and founded in 2013, operates a cloud-based digital content delivery platform that specializes in the deployment of Edge Clouds. This innovative platform enables local and real-time application processing, reducing reliance on distant cloud resources. WICASTR offers a powerful Edge Gateway, which integrates server, Wi-Fi, storage, and routing functionalities, allowing for the establishment of intelligent networks that connect smart devices, objects, and sensors. The platform is designed to deliver low-latency, secure content distribution and manage edge-based applications efficiently. Targeting various sectors such as telecommunications, transportation, retail, and emerging markets, WICASTR provides value-added services that enhance mobile engagement and facilitate the creation of wireless networks, ensuring effective interaction and data exchange in real-time environments.

TVbeat

Seed Round in 2013
TVbeat is a company that specializes in real-time TV audience measurement, catering to pay-TV platforms, broadcasters, and media buyers. It offers a hybrid TV analytics platform that integrates data from various sources, including digital, cable, satellite, IPTV networks, and over-the-top (OTT) solutions. This platform enables the collection and analysis of key metrics related to channel performance, such as ratings, share of viewing, and actual subscriber counts, for both live and on-demand content. By aggregating fragmented viewing data from non-linear and video-on-demand assets alongside traditional metrics, TVbeat provides a comprehensive hybrid-viewing figure. Established in 2013 and based in London, the company was previously known as Iptvbeat Ltd. before rebranding to TVbeat in March 2014.

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.

vidIQ

Seed Round in 2013
vidIQ, Inc. is a YouTube video marketing suite established in 2011 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company offers an end-to-end solution designed to assist brands and agencies in growing their views and subscribers on YouTube. Its services encompass various aspects of video marketing, including optimizing upload times, connecting brands with influencers, enhancing YouTube SEO, and monitoring viewer engagement across platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Additionally, vidIQ provides tools for bulk description editing, comment moderation, and Facebook fan page syndication. Founded by Rob Sandie, Todd Troxell, and James Cross, the company has attracted significant support from notable angel investors.

vidIQ

Seed Round in 2012
vidIQ, Inc. is a YouTube video marketing suite established in 2011 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company offers an end-to-end solution designed to assist brands and agencies in growing their views and subscribers on YouTube. Its services encompass various aspects of video marketing, including optimizing upload times, connecting brands with influencers, enhancing YouTube SEO, and monitoring viewer engagement across platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Additionally, vidIQ provides tools for bulk description editing, comment moderation, and Facebook fan page syndication. Founded by Rob Sandie, Todd Troxell, and James Cross, the company has attracted significant support from notable angel investors.

vidIQ

Seed Round in 2012
vidIQ, Inc. is a YouTube video marketing suite established in 2011 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company offers an end-to-end solution designed to assist brands and agencies in growing their views and subscribers on YouTube. Its services encompass various aspects of video marketing, including optimizing upload times, connecting brands with influencers, enhancing YouTube SEO, and monitoring viewer engagement across platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Additionally, vidIQ provides tools for bulk description editing, comment moderation, and Facebook fan page syndication. Founded by Rob Sandie, Todd Troxell, and James Cross, the company has attracted significant support from notable angel investors.

Vidmaker

Seed Round in 2012
Vidmaker is a collaborative online video editor that makes it easy to work with video anywhere and with anyone. Users can work together in real time with video, images and sound from services like Dropbox and Google Drive, and effortlessly share their projects either on Vidmaker's video platform or YouTube.

BabbaCo

Seed Round in 2011
BabbaCo, Inc., is a subscription service which provides each month a box of activities for parents and children to use.

Rapt Media

Seed Round in 2011
Rapt Media, Inc. is a Boulder, Colorado-based company that provides a cloud-based interactive video authoring platform, enabling businesses and creative professionals to produce engaging videos for various applications, including marketing, education, and training. The platform facilitates the creation of interactive, non-linear videos that allow users to interact with content in real-time, enhancing viewer engagement and learning outcomes. Rapt Media also offers a range of services, including creative solutions, branching options, link outs, and strategic guidance. The platform's user-friendly drag-and-drop interface supports the deployment of videos across multiple devices, such as browsers, tablets, and mobile phones. Originally founded as FlixMaster in 2011, the company rebranded to Rapt Media in 2013 and has since become a subsidiary of Kaltura Inc.

Shelby.tv

Seed Round in 2011
Shelby.tv is the best way to discover and enjoy web video. Now available in the App Store, the Shelby.tv app delivers you a personalized channel of videos from sources like YouTube, Vimeo, Hulu, Blip, and DailyMotion, as well as video shared by your friends on Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook. Over time, Shelby.tv gets smart about what you like and don’t like and improves recommendations to give you that perfect daily dose of video entertainment.

Blue Wave Media

Seed Round in 2010
Mobile Video Distribution Platform