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

Max Kelly

Managing Director of Techstars London

Lesa Mitchell

Managing Director

Vijay Tirathrai

Managing Director

Mark Tortorella

Advisor

Nathanial Zola

MD

Past deals in Houston, TX

Green Room

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Developer of business and tour management software intended for touring entertainers. The company's software offers an all-in-one, mobile solution for event scheduling, coordination and finance tracking, enabling local venues and independent artists to save time as well as stay compliant while managing gig payments.

Cinevva

Non Equity Assistance in 2022
Cinevva is a developer of an AI-assisted platform aimed at simplifying the game development process for creators without coding or technical skills. The platform aggregates a multitude of game development tools and utilizes artificial intelligence to provide intelligent suggestions and predictions, helping developers enhance their projects. It streamlines various tasks, such as SDK integration and in-game visual production, while also advising on game mechanics, sound selection, and organizational structure. By automating these aspects, Cinevva empowers designers, artists, and developers to focus on creativity, ultimately fostering the emergence of new game genres. The platform also includes analytics tools that assist developers in refining their games and improving overall gameplay experiences.

Cognitive Space

Seed Round in 2021
Cognitive Space is a technology firm specializing in the automation of command and control for satellite operations through its proprietary CNTIENT-SC3 platform. The company leverages artificial intelligence to streamline mission planning and management for constellations of Earth-observing and telecommunications satellites. By providing a software-as-a-service solution, Cognitive Space addresses the evolving demands of the space market, enabling commercial satellite operators to optimize their assets in response to dynamic conditions. The leadership team, boasting over 50 years of experience in space systems and software development, is committed to enhancing the efficiency of satellite operations. This innovation facilitates improved monitoring of Earth for various applications, including economic, environmental, and national security purposes.

CaseCTRL

Funding Round in 2021
CaseCTRL is a developer of a patent-pending software-as-a-service platform designed to enhance surgical coordination and management. Utilizing artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, the platform automates surgery scheduling workflows, facilitating better communication and coordination among surgical staff and individual surgeons. By effectively engaging patients and tracking relevant metrics, CaseCTRL aims to reduce surgery cancellations and complications, lower operational costs, and alleviate administrative burdens. The ultimate goal is to maximize surgical case revenue while improving overall patient care in hospitals and clinics.

Ema

Funding Round in 2021
Social Mama is a mobile solution for moms to network and meet up. Moms need moms friends for sanity and advice and it is awkward and difficult to find these connections. With a algorithm, geo location and profiles that tell a mother's life story, Social Mama is able to connect like-minded women together. Social Mama is a product that empowers females through connections, where motherhood is a commonality.

Koda Health

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Koda Health, Inc. is a Houston-based company that provides a data-driven, video-based interactive platform aimed at enhancing communication between healthcare providers and elderly patients. Founded in 2020, Koda Health focuses on facilitating personalized end-of-life conversations, allowing patients to articulate their healthcare preferences and make informed decisions about their medical care in advance. The platform utilizes artificial intelligence to guide patients through discussions about their quality of life, designating power of attorney, and identifying emergency contacts. By doing so, Koda Health helps ensure that patients' healthcare preferences are respected while simultaneously aiding healthcare systems in reducing unnecessary expenditures. The company also collects valuable data on patient personas and care preferences, enriching the understanding of patient needs in clinical settings.

LENA Health

Seed Round in 2019
Lena develops a social event information application software designed for senior citizens. The company specializes in developing an app that introduces seniors to events they love in their own communities. It enables users to connect to social circles, and encourage them to participate in activities through gamified rewards.

NV Earth

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Welcome to NV EARTH where the planet's resources and life are our eNVy. They are proud to offer you an exceptional line of eNVironment safer, bio-based lubricants, cleaners and absorbents. NV EARTH products are independently tested, made from plant material, biodegradable and much safer to use compared to petro-chemical alternatives. Their goal is to significantly reduce operator exposure to chemical hazards and minimize environmental pollution. Using naturally derived components provides exceptional application performance while benefiting all aspects of life, especially cleaner water and cleaner air. You can make an impact through choice so don't wait for others, help lead them by example. They appreciate your purchase and the opportunity to serve your green conscience.

MacroFab

Series A in 2019
MacroFab is a marketplace for electronics manufacturing from prototype to high scale production. Their platform is re-shaping the $480B contract manufacturing market by transforming the experience from a manual, time-intensive, and error-prone process performed by large teams of people, into a real-time, streamlined, and connected software-driven experience while providing access to unlimited factory capacity in North America. The platform also uploads a PCB board design, gets an instant quote and the board is printed in the company's factory, enabling startups, manufacturers, and enterprises to design, customize and automate the PCB manufacturing process and save time, effort and money. Macrofab was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas, United States.

dearduck

Pre Seed Round in 2019
dearduck, LLC develops and operates online platform and mobile application for e-commerce data and gift shopping. The company's application uses artificial intelligence and analytics software in order to inform buyers about what would make the suitable gift for receiver. It enables users to personalize shopping experiences for themselves and others. The company offers quizzes that tap into consumer preferences, and on the basis of response collected, it offers product recommendations. The company caters to online retailers and individual buyers. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Sensytec

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Sensytec revolutionize the Structural Health Monitoring industry through enhanced quality control and monitoring of cement & concrete structures. Their software and hardware provide Actionable Intelligence from data gathered during design, placement, performance and maintenance. Sensytec's solution monitors, analyzes and quantifies cement and concrete conditions using a ground-breaking system SMART CEMENT™. Deliver DATA on cracking, contamination, corrosion and temperature change properties by using Sensytec.

Wise Athena

Seed Round in 2018
Wise Athena Inc. develops and maintains Artificial Intelligence as a Service (AiaaS) platform to predict price and demand of SKUs. It offers Wise Athena, an AiaaS platform that helps companies to act on data-driven facts; analyzes competitors’ actions and the user’s product performance; and enable CPGs to make the best pricing and trade promotion decisions. Wise Athena Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is based in Houston, Texas with an additional office in Madrid, Spain.

Wise Athena

Seed Round in 2018
Wise Athena Inc. develops and maintains Artificial Intelligence as a Service (AiaaS) platform to predict price and demand of SKUs. It offers Wise Athena, an AiaaS platform that helps companies to act on data-driven facts; analyzes competitors’ actions and the user’s product performance; and enable CPGs to make the best pricing and trade promotion decisions. Wise Athena Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is based in Houston, Texas with an additional office in Madrid, Spain.

Seremedi

Seed Round in 2017
Seremedi, Inc., a digital healthcare company, develops commercial healthcare software. The company provides CareScriptions, a mobile platform that offers a care coordination solution for perioperative care. Its CareScriptions mobile platform coordinates care teams, delivers customizable care pathways, and enables real-time data sharing and communication between integrated practice teams and their patients. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Seremedi

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Seremedi, Inc., a digital healthcare company, develops commercial healthcare software. The company provides CareScriptions, a mobile platform that offers a care coordination solution for perioperative care. Its CareScriptions mobile platform coordinates care teams, delivers customizable care pathways, and enables real-time data sharing and communication between integrated practice teams and their patients. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Wise Athena

Seed Round in 2017
Wise Athena Inc. develops and maintains Artificial Intelligence as a Service (AiaaS) platform to predict price and demand of SKUs. It offers Wise Athena, an AiaaS platform that helps companies to act on data-driven facts; analyzes competitors’ actions and the user’s product performance; and enable CPGs to make the best pricing and trade promotion decisions. Wise Athena Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is based in Houston, Texas with an additional office in Madrid, Spain.

GroupRaise

Seed Round in 2017
Groupraise.com, Inc. is an online community that provides a way to organize restaurant fundraisers to support non-profit causes, including health, clean water, education, hunger, and social entrepreneurship. The company acts as a local community networking for restaurants to build relationships with community groups through fundraisers. Its community enables to list restaurants; start a campaign by posting dates, times, and the donation offered for local groups to host events; and groups request fundraisers through its online system. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Houston, Texas.

MacroFab

Funding Round in 2017
MacroFab is a marketplace for electronics manufacturing from prototype to high scale production. Their platform is re-shaping the $480B contract manufacturing market by transforming the experience from a manual, time-intensive, and error-prone process performed by large teams of people, into a real-time, streamlined, and connected software-driven experience while providing access to unlimited factory capacity in North America. The platform also uploads a PCB board design, gets an instant quote and the board is printed in the company's factory, enabling startups, manufacturers, and enterprises to design, customize and automate the PCB manufacturing process and save time, effort and money. Macrofab was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas, United States.

Fig Tech

Seed Round in 2016
Fig Tech, Inc. provides loans for customers in Texas. It offers emergency loans and financial stability products. Fig Tech, Inc. was formerly known as Fig Loans Inc. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Sugar Land, Texas.Fig Tech, Inc. offers payday loan and auto title loan in Texas. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

GroupRaise

Seed Round in 2015
Groupraise.com, Inc. is an online community that provides a way to organize restaurant fundraisers to support non-profit causes, including health, clean water, education, hunger, and social entrepreneurship. The company acts as a local community networking for restaurants to build relationships with community groups through fundraisers. Its community enables to list restaurants; start a campaign by posting dates, times, and the donation offered for local groups to host events; and groups request fundraisers through its online system. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Houston, Texas.

MacroFab

Seed Round in 2015
MacroFab is a marketplace for electronics manufacturing from prototype to high scale production. Their platform is re-shaping the $480B contract manufacturing market by transforming the experience from a manual, time-intensive, and error-prone process performed by large teams of people, into a real-time, streamlined, and connected software-driven experience while providing access to unlimited factory capacity in North America. The platform also uploads a PCB board design, gets an instant quote and the board is printed in the company's factory, enabling startups, manufacturers, and enterprises to design, customize and automate the PCB manufacturing process and save time, effort and money. Macrofab was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas, United States.

Dropoff

Venture Round in 2014
Dropoff, Inc. provides courier services to businesses across various industries in the United States. It offers same-day last mile delivery services for various packages ranging from cupcakes to prescription medications; and fleet replacement services. The company offers delivery services in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Orange County, Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, San Jose, and Tampa. It serves businesses in retail, healthcare, food and grocery, business services, and commercial and industrial sectors. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Austin, Texas.