Techstars

Hifive is a platform designed to enhance employee recognition and compensation in the service industry by facilitating personalized reviews, ratings, and cashless tips. Founded in 2020 and based in Austin, Texas, Hifive enables hourly service employees to earn additional income through tips provided by customers wishing to express their gratitude for exceptional service. The platform leverages QR code technology, allowing users to give feedback and tips seamlessly without the need for a dedicated application. This innovative approach not only supports employees in receiving immediate recognition but also streamlines the tipping process for customers.

StoryFit Inc. is a technology company based in Austin, Texas, that specializes in artificial intelligence insights and machine learning solutions for the book publishing, movie, and television production industries. Founded in 2014, StoryFit develops tools such as StoryFit Metadata and StoryFit Analytics, which empower publishers and studios to analyze metadata and gain insights related to audience targeting, reader personas, writing evaluation, and marketing intelligence. The company's proprietary AI technology simulates audience responses to content, offering predictive analytics and content suggestions by comparing key features of existing books or scripts. StoryFit aims to support creative decision-makers in crafting compelling narratives by providing actionable data that informs development, marketing, and merchandising strategies.

Clusiv is an innovative e-learning platform specifically designed for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Clusiv focuses on providing vocational training and upskilling opportunities to enhance employment prospects for its users. The platform offers training in essential skills for the modern workforce, including virtual interview preparation, cloud file management, email proficiency, and effective remote team collaboration. With a remote and self-paced learning model, Clusiv allows users to engage in their education from the comfort of their homes, thereby empowering them to access remote job opportunities and improve their overall employability. The company's mission is to facilitate better employment outcomes for visually impaired individuals by equipping them with the necessary skills to thrive in technical positions.

Gardenio, Inc. is a company based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2017, that provides resources for individuals looking to grow plants at home. It operates an online gardening marketplace that offers growboxes, which include soil, organic starter plants, and care guides to help new food growers successfully cultivate their gardens. Gardenio positions itself as a digital garden club, connecting members to locally relevant growing advice and a supportive community of fellow growers. This platform aims to empower users by providing them with the necessary tools and resources to start and maintain their edible organic gardens, ensuring that they do not have to navigate the challenges of gardening alone.

StoryFit Inc. is a technology company based in Austin, Texas, that specializes in artificial intelligence insights and machine learning solutions for the book publishing, movie, and television production industries. Founded in 2014, StoryFit develops tools such as StoryFit Metadata and StoryFit Analytics, which empower publishers and studios to analyze metadata and gain insights related to audience targeting, reader personas, writing evaluation, and marketing intelligence. The company's proprietary AI technology simulates audience responses to content, offering predictive analytics and content suggestions by comparing key features of existing books or scripts. StoryFit aims to support creative decision-makers in crafting compelling narratives by providing actionable data that informs development, marketing, and merchandising strategies.

EarBuds Music is a social music application that provides users with a platform to connect with friends and create shared musical experiences. Launched in 2017 and based in Austin, Texas, the app allows users to initiate live listening sessions, enabling them to discover new music together in real-time. It facilitates a unique interaction where users can see what their friends are listening to and join them in live sessions, fostering a sense of community and shared enjoyment. By engaging with music curators and friends, users can enhance their music discovery process and participate in key moments in music through this peer-to-peer platform.

Wedy is an innovative booking and financing marketplace specifically designed for the wedding industry. Established in 2020 and based in Austin, Texas, the company offers an all-in-one booking software that enables wedding professionals to automate their operations. Wedy's platform allows engaged couples to bundle various services, such as photography, florals, and catering, into customizable all-inclusive wedding packages. This approach simplifies the wedding planning process, making it easier for couples to manage their arrangements. Additionally, Wedy's Buy Now, Pay Later solution is transforming how couples finance wedding services, aiming to support millions of creative entrepreneurs in the wedding business by facilitating their growth and efficiency.

Joust, Inc. is a company based in Austin, Texas, that develops a real-time software platform designed for social competition. Founded in 2013, Joust connects users with their friends and engages them through a variety of interactive features, including challenges, contests, polls, surveys, predictions, and competitions across diverse topics such as sports, entertainment, and politics. The platform aims to foster social interaction and engagement by allowing users to share their interests and participate in friendly competition. Additionally, Joust provides business banking and merchant services tailored for the self-employed, utilizing a chartered community bank to address the financial needs of independent workers.

LiveOak Technologies, Inc. is a software company based in Austin, Texas, that offers a cloud-based platform designed to enhance real-time communication, collaboration, and eSignature capabilities for financial processes. The platform facilitates seamless collaboration among users through video conferencing, audio, and text chat, while also allowing for the capture and storage of compliant data. Founded in 2014, LiveOak Technologies aims to improve workflow for paperwork and forms by providing tools that enable companies to communicate effectively and sign documents in real-time, ultimately reducing errors and increasing efficiency in complex digital transactions. The company operates as a subsidiary of DocuSign, Inc.

StoryFit Inc. is a technology company based in Austin, Texas, that specializes in artificial intelligence insights and machine learning solutions for the book publishing, movie, and television production industries. Founded in 2014, StoryFit develops tools such as StoryFit Metadata and StoryFit Analytics, which empower publishers and studios to analyze metadata and gain insights related to audience targeting, reader personas, writing evaluation, and marketing intelligence. The company's proprietary AI technology simulates audience responses to content, offering predictive analytics and content suggestions by comparing key features of existing books or scripts. StoryFit aims to support creative decision-makers in crafting compelling narratives by providing actionable data that informs development, marketing, and merchandising strategies.

Joust, Inc. is a company based in Austin, Texas, that develops a real-time software platform designed for social competition. Founded in 2013, Joust connects users with their friends and engages them through a variety of interactive features, including challenges, contests, polls, surveys, predictions, and competitions across diverse topics such as sports, entertainment, and politics. The platform aims to foster social interaction and engagement by allowing users to share their interests and participate in friendly competition. Additionally, Joust provides business banking and merchant services tailored for the self-employed, utilizing a chartered community bank to address the financial needs of independent workers.

CountertopSmart LLC, based in Austin, Texas, operates an online marketplace that connects homeowners and construction professionals with a secondary market for countertop remnants, which are the unused portions of full stone slabs. This platform allows users to buy and sell partial slabs, offering a diverse selection of stone materials at significant savings of 60-80% for buyers. Additionally, sellers can enhance their profitability by adding 20-40% to their margins. By facilitating access to these remnants, CountertopSmart enables customers to obtain materials that better fit their specific project needs while promoting sustainable practices in the countertop industry.

Joust, Inc. is a company based in Austin, Texas, that develops a real-time software platform designed for social competition. Founded in 2013, Joust connects users with their friends and engages them through a variety of interactive features, including challenges, contests, polls, surveys, predictions, and competitions across diverse topics such as sports, entertainment, and politics. The platform aims to foster social interaction and engagement by allowing users to share their interests and participate in friendly competition. Additionally, Joust provides business banking and merchant services tailored for the self-employed, utilizing a chartered community bank to address the financial needs of independent workers.

SecondBrain is an artificial consciousness studio located in Austin, Texas. The company specializes in developing AI-driven tools to assist writers, notably through its creation, RapGod.ai, which helps users generate lyrics and overcome writer's block. By leveraging artificial intelligence, SecondBrain aims to enhance writing skills and provide a collaborative experience between humans and machine intelligence, ultimately supporting lyricists and other writers in their creative processes.

NarrativeDx Inc. is a data analytics company based in Austin, Texas, that specializes in enhancing patient experiences within healthcare settings. The company's cloud-based platform employs artificial intelligence, specifically natural language processing and machine learning, to collect, analyze, and visualize unstructured feedback from a variety of sources, including patient surveys and social media. By aggregating this data, NarrativeDx helps healthcare administrators understand the factors influencing patient satisfaction and offers actionable insights to improve care quality. The platform's intuitive dashboards highlight critical areas for improvement and provide specific recommendations, enabling hospitals to enhance patient engagement, increase referrals, and optimize overall operational performance. Co-founded in 2014, NarrativeDx operates as a subsidiary of Press Ganey Associates, Inc.

LiveOak Technologies, Inc. is a software company based in Austin, Texas, that offers a cloud-based platform designed to enhance real-time communication, collaboration, and eSignature capabilities for financial processes. The platform facilitates seamless collaboration among users through video conferencing, audio, and text chat, while also allowing for the capture and storage of compliant data. Founded in 2014, LiveOak Technologies aims to improve workflow for paperwork and forms by providing tools that enable companies to communicate effectively and sign documents in real-time, ultimately reducing errors and increasing efficiency in complex digital transactions. The company operates as a subsidiary of DocuSign, Inc.

NarrativeDx Inc. is a data analytics company based in Austin, Texas, that specializes in enhancing patient experiences within healthcare settings. The company's cloud-based platform employs artificial intelligence, specifically natural language processing and machine learning, to collect, analyze, and visualize unstructured feedback from a variety of sources, including patient surveys and social media. By aggregating this data, NarrativeDx helps healthcare administrators understand the factors influencing patient satisfaction and offers actionable insights to improve care quality. The platform's intuitive dashboards highlight critical areas for improvement and provide specific recommendations, enabling hospitals to enhance patient engagement, increase referrals, and optimize overall operational performance. Co-founded in 2014, NarrativeDx operates as a subsidiary of Press Ganey Associates, Inc.

CityCop Inc. is a company that specializes in developing a social GPS application designed for community watch initiatives. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, with additional offices in São Paulo, Brazil, and Montevideo, Uruguay, CityCop provides a platform that allows users to report crimes in their neighborhoods and receive real-time alerts about criminal activities from other users. The application fosters a sense of community safety by empowering individuals to protect themselves and their loved ones through active participation in crime reporting and awareness.

PreFix Inc. is a home care service provider based in Austin, Texas, specializing in preventive maintenance for various household systems, including appliances, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Founded in 2013, the company offers a comprehensive range of services designed to alleviate the maintenance challenges faced by homeowners and landlords. These services include cleaning and inspecting appliances, servicing HVAC units, and addressing plumbing issues, among others. By facilitating the booking of maintenance and repair personnel, PreFix aims to streamline the home maintenance process while helping clients save significantly on annual maintenance costs. The company’s focus on preventive care allows it to address minor issues before they escalate, ensuring a safer and more efficient home environment.

Written Inc. is a company that specializes in audience development for content marketing, providing a platform that connects brands with targeted audiences and proven content. Founded in 2012 and based in Austin, Texas, Written.com offers services such as content licensing, syndication, and sponsored content, helping brands achieve predictable returns on investment while enhancing audience engagement. The platform also supports bloggers by enabling them to monetize their content, expand their influence, and streamline the management of their work. By facilitating connections between brands and high-performing content, Written Inc. assists companies in acquiring new audiences and increasing conversions, all while allowing bloggers to maintain control over their content and reputation.

LiveOak Technologies, Inc. is a software company based in Austin, Texas, that offers a cloud-based platform designed to enhance real-time communication, collaboration, and eSignature capabilities for financial processes. The platform facilitates seamless collaboration among users through video conferencing, audio, and text chat, while also allowing for the capture and storage of compliant data. Founded in 2014, LiveOak Technologies aims to improve workflow for paperwork and forms by providing tools that enable companies to communicate effectively and sign documents in real-time, ultimately reducing errors and increasing efficiency in complex digital transactions. The company operates as a subsidiary of DocuSign, Inc.

StoryFit Inc. is a technology company based in Austin, Texas, that specializes in artificial intelligence insights and machine learning solutions for the book publishing, movie, and television production industries. Founded in 2014, StoryFit develops tools such as StoryFit Metadata and StoryFit Analytics, which empower publishers and studios to analyze metadata and gain insights related to audience targeting, reader personas, writing evaluation, and marketing intelligence. The company's proprietary AI technology simulates audience responses to content, offering predictive analytics and content suggestions by comparing key features of existing books or scripts. StoryFit aims to support creative decision-makers in crafting compelling narratives by providing actionable data that informs development, marketing, and merchandising strategies.

Filament Labs is a Techstars Austin ’13 company, building PatientIO, a patient engagement platform. It products, PatientIO, helps health professionals track and manage their patients’ health behaviors between visits. It helps patients adhere to complex treatment regimens and transmit relevant data back to their doctor. Filament Labs was founded in 2013 by [Jason Bornhorst](https://www.crunchbase.com/person/jason-bornhorst) and [Colin Anawaty](https://www.crunchbase.com/person/colin-anawaty). It is based in Austin, T.X.

Yonder LLC, founded in 2017 and based in Austin, Texas, develops an application designed to help brands contextualize online information. The company aims to define the authentic internet category by providing cultural context to information as it circulates online. Yonder believes that adding this context is essential to prevent the dehumanization of information, which can contribute to issues such as fake accounts, misinformation, and disinformation. By striving to enhance the flow of information, Yonder seeks to foster a more trustworthy and open digital environment, countering trends of information gatekeeping and mistrust.

LiveOak Technologies, Inc. is a software company based in Austin, Texas, that offers a cloud-based platform designed to enhance real-time communication, collaboration, and eSignature capabilities for financial processes. The platform facilitates seamless collaboration among users through video conferencing, audio, and text chat, while also allowing for the capture and storage of compliant data. Founded in 2014, LiveOak Technologies aims to improve workflow for paperwork and forms by providing tools that enable companies to communicate effectively and sign documents in real-time, ultimately reducing errors and increasing efficiency in complex digital transactions. The company operates as a subsidiary of DocuSign, Inc.

Bitfusion.io Inc. is a technology company based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2015, that specializes in software solutions designed to enhance the performance of applications by leveraging hardware accelerators. The company provides several offerings, including Bitfusion software for accelerating existing cloud and data center operations, Bitfusion appliances that combine hardware accelerators with software libraries, and Bitfusion Supercloud, which offers on-demand access to hardware accelerators like FPGAs in the cloud. These solutions cater to various applications including computer vision, media encoding, scientific computing, bioinformatics, and search. Bitfusion aims to make heterogeneous computing accessible to organizations of all sizes and simplifies the management of compute resources for AI developers, thereby reducing costs and complexities associated with the AI application lifecycle. In 2019, Bitfusion became a subsidiary of VMware, Inc.

Stoplight, Inc. is a technology company that specializes in developing an application programming interface (API) toolkit designed to enhance the API lifecycle. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Stoplight offers a comprehensive platform that supports API modeling, documentation, and testing. The company's tools enable organizations to manage their pre-production API workflows efficiently, allowing for the design of APIs through a visual designer, automatic mocking of API designs, and collaboration among users for feedback. Stoplight's solutions aim to improve the speed and quality of API development while ensuring adherence to style guides. By providing automated documentation and integration capabilities, Stoplight fosters a standardized and collaborative approach to API management, ultimately benefiting developers and organizations alike.

Bitfusion.io Inc. is a technology company based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2015, that specializes in software solutions designed to enhance the performance of applications by leveraging hardware accelerators. The company provides several offerings, including Bitfusion software for accelerating existing cloud and data center operations, Bitfusion appliances that combine hardware accelerators with software libraries, and Bitfusion Supercloud, which offers on-demand access to hardware accelerators like FPGAs in the cloud. These solutions cater to various applications including computer vision, media encoding, scientific computing, bioinformatics, and search. Bitfusion aims to make heterogeneous computing accessible to organizations of all sizes and simplifies the management of compute resources for AI developers, thereby reducing costs and complexities associated with the AI application lifecycle. In 2019, Bitfusion became a subsidiary of VMware, Inc.

Experiment Engine, Inc. is a conversion optimization platform based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2014. The company focuses on enabling brands and agencies to effectively manage testing programs, scale experimentation, and measure return on investment through its user-friendly platform. Experiment Engine provides tools for planning, reviewing, and reporting on various testing projects, while also offering access to resources in design, development, copywriting, and quality assurance. Its platform facilitates testing different versions of web pages, allowing users to analyze results, prioritize experiments based on data, and refine conversion strategies. Serving sectors such as e-commerce, publishing, lead generation, and agencies, Experiment Engine aims to enhance the effectiveness of digital marketing efforts through informed decision-making and collaboration. As of 2017, it operates as a subsidiary of Optimizely, Inc.

Filament Labs is a Techstars Austin ’13 company, building PatientIO, a patient engagement platform. It products, PatientIO, helps health professionals track and manage their patients’ health behaviors between visits. It helps patients adhere to complex treatment regimens and transmit relevant data back to their doctor. Filament Labs was founded in 2013 by [Jason Bornhorst](https://www.crunchbase.com/person/jason-bornhorst) and [Colin Anawaty](https://www.crunchbase.com/person/colin-anawaty). It is based in Austin, T.X.

Atlas Wearables, Inc. is a fitness technology company based in Austin, Texas, established in 2013. It specializes in designing innovative fitness monitors and activity trackers that enhance workout experiences by identifying exercises, counting repetitions and sets, calculating calories burned, and assessing users' form. The company's products feature an on-wrist display that provides real-time feedback, enabling users to track movements throughout their workouts and make necessary adjustments for improved performance. Additionally, Atlas Wearables offers applications for both iOS and Android devices, further supporting users in their fitness journeys through data analytics and insights.

MarketVibe is a company located in Austin, Texas, that focuses on connecting clients with market trends to enhance their internal strategies. It offers marketing optimization tools designed to simplify the process for businesses. By leveraging customers' web analytics and shopping cart data, MarketVibe educates companies on how to increase their traffic, generate leads, and boost sales. The company's approach facilitates a deeper understanding of market dynamics, enabling clients to make informed decisions that align with consumer behavior.

MarketVibe is a company located in Austin, Texas, that focuses on connecting clients with market trends to enhance their internal strategies. It offers marketing optimization tools designed to simplify the process for businesses. By leveraging customers' web analytics and shopping cart data, MarketVibe educates companies on how to increase their traffic, generate leads, and boost sales. The company's approach facilitates a deeper understanding of market dynamics, enabling clients to make informed decisions that align with consumer behavior.

Written Inc. is a company that specializes in audience development for content marketing, providing a platform that connects brands with targeted audiences and proven content. Founded in 2012 and based in Austin, Texas, Written.com offers services such as content licensing, syndication, and sponsored content, helping brands achieve predictable returns on investment while enhancing audience engagement. The platform also supports bloggers by enabling them to monetize their content, expand their influence, and streamline the management of their work. By facilitating connections between brands and high-performing content, Written Inc. assists companies in acquiring new audiences and increasing conversions, all while allowing bloggers to maintain control over their content and reputation.

Postmasters Inc. is a technology company based in Austin, Texas, that specializes in small-package logistics optimization. Founded in 2012, the company offers a shipping optimization API that simplifies the integration of shipping processes for businesses using major carriers such as FedEx, UPS, and USPS. Its solutions enable users to create shipments, track packages, and receive notifications about shipment events, while also validating addresses to ensure accuracy. By providing real-time shipment optimization and historical analytics, Postmasters helps businesses save on shipping costs and enhance their logistics operations.

MarketVibe is a company located in Austin, Texas, that focuses on connecting clients with market trends to enhance their internal strategies. It offers marketing optimization tools designed to simplify the process for businesses. By leveraging customers' web analytics and shopping cart data, MarketVibe educates companies on how to increase their traffic, generate leads, and boost sales. The company's approach facilitates a deeper understanding of market dynamics, enabling clients to make informed decisions that align with consumer behavior.

Clusiv is an innovative e-learning platform specifically designed for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Clusiv focuses on providing vocational training and upskilling opportunities to enhance employment prospects for its users. The platform offers training in essential skills for the modern workforce, including virtual interview preparation, cloud file management, email proficiency, and effective remote team collaboration. With a remote and self-paced learning model, Clusiv allows users to engage in their education from the comfort of their homes, thereby empowering them to access remote job opportunities and improve their overall employability. The company's mission is to facilitate better employment outcomes for visually impaired individuals by equipping them with the necessary skills to thrive in technical positions.