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

Laura Kennedy

Vice President of Corporate Development

Lesa Mitchell

Managing Director

Vijay Tirathrai

Managing Director

Mark Tortorella

Advisor

Nathanial Zola

MD

Past deals in Kentucky

Enreport

Pre Seed Round in 2023
Enreport is a cloud-based platform that automates and optimizes the operation of generation and distribution companies, as well as helps energy consumers.

Forecastr

Seed Round in 2021
Forecastr is online software that helps founders who hate building financial models in Excel actually understand their numbers, predict runway, and get funded.

Forecastr

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Forecastr is online software that helps founders who hate building financial models in Excel actually understand their numbers, predict runway, and get funded.

TO THE MARKET

Pre Seed Round in 2018
TO THE MARKET specializes in the ethical manufacturing and sourcing of apparel, accessories, and home goods. Established in 2016 and based in the United States, the company collaborates with artisan groups and suppliers globally to provide sustainable solutions. Its services encompass design, production, compliance, sourcing, logistics, and reporting, catering to a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies, brands, and retailers. By focusing on transparency, sustainability, and authenticity, TO THE MARKET aims to create products that resonate with a new generation of consumers, while promoting a supply chain that empowers communities and protects the environment.

TO THE MARKET

Pre Seed Round in 2018
TO THE MARKET specializes in the ethical manufacturing and sourcing of apparel, accessories, and home goods. Established in 2016 and based in the United States, the company collaborates with artisan groups and suppliers globally to provide sustainable solutions. Its services encompass design, production, compliance, sourcing, logistics, and reporting, catering to a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies, brands, and retailers. By focusing on transparency, sustainability, and authenticity, TO THE MARKET aims to create products that resonate with a new generation of consumers, while promoting a supply chain that empowers communities and protects the environment.

MailHaven

Pre Seed Round in 2018
MailHaven Inc. is a company that specializes in the development of a mobile application designed to manage online purchases and track shipments for residential customers. The application works in conjunction with an innovative solar-powered mailbox equipped with a barcode scanner, allowing delivery personnel to securely deposit packages. This smart mailbox not only protects deliveries from the elements but also provides users with real-time notifications upon arrival. Founded in 2015 and based in Louisville, Kentucky, MailHaven simplifies the online shopping experience by consolidating transaction details and delivery statuses in one platform. As of October 2019, MailHaven operates as a subsidiary of LUXER Corporation.

FlyWire

Seed Round in 2018
Flywire is a patented video technology that translates video-enabled fisher data into actionable insights at a fraction of the cost. They work with fishers and seafood suppliers to provide at-sea verification of sustainable fishing efforts, translating video-enabled fisher data into actionable insights at a fraction of the cost. At FlyWire they create technology to verify what happens on the water and deliver the data needed for more sustainable seas and a more transparent supply chain.

Monetizr

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Monetizr is a technology company that provides a software development kit designed to help game developers monetize their brands through customized merchandise. Founded in 2016 and based in Covington, Kentucky, the company offers a mobile application that allows developers to create and sell personalized gaming gear, including items like phone cases, T-shirts, mugs, and jigsaw puzzles. Monetizr also features a blockchain-based universal game reward engine that enhances player experiences by enabling them to earn points and coupons while playing games. These rewards can be exchanged for various items, including gift cards and branded merchandise. The platform supports multiple languages and currencies, and it manages product procurement, fulfillment, and customer support. Currently, Monetizr collaborates with over 30 game publishers and has a user base of 17 million monthly active users, focusing primarily on the mobile gaming sector, which represents a significant portion of the gaming industry.

Monetizr

Convertible Note in 2017
Monetizr is a technology company that provides a software development kit designed to help game developers monetize their brands through customized merchandise. Founded in 2016 and based in Covington, Kentucky, the company offers a mobile application that allows developers to create and sell personalized gaming gear, including items like phone cases, T-shirts, mugs, and jigsaw puzzles. Monetizr also features a blockchain-based universal game reward engine that enhances player experiences by enabling them to earn points and coupons while playing games. These rewards can be exchanged for various items, including gift cards and branded merchandise. The platform supports multiple languages and currencies, and it manages product procurement, fulfillment, and customer support. Currently, Monetizr collaborates with over 30 game publishers and has a user base of 17 million monthly active users, focusing primarily on the mobile gaming sector, which represents a significant portion of the gaming industry.

FlyWire

Seed Round in 2017
Flywire is a patented video technology that translates video-enabled fisher data into actionable insights at a fraction of the cost. They work with fishers and seafood suppliers to provide at-sea verification of sustainable fishing efforts, translating video-enabled fisher data into actionable insights at a fraction of the cost. At FlyWire they create technology to verify what happens on the water and deliver the data needed for more sustainable seas and a more transparent supply chain.

Revio

Convertible Note in 2015
Revio is a telematics hardware platform that uses connected devices to make power sports safer and more secure.

Revio

Seed Round in 2015
Revio is a telematics hardware platform that uses connected devices to make power sports safer and more secure.

FantasyHub

Convertible Note in 2015
FantasyHub is a Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platform that offers players the opportunity to win money, while also supporting great causes. On average, 5% of fantasy game winnings go to support the winner’s charity of choice, with the rest split between FantasyHub and the winners. The company's charitable mission allows them to partner with some of the biggest names in sports to fuel our user acquisition. It has worked with over 30 Pro-Athletes who run games on FantasyHub to raise support for their foundations. Their athletes include Kurt Warner, Jalen Rose, Bo Jackson, and Albert Pu-jols. Combining their athlete games with traditional acquisition strategies, they are able to acquire users for $6; the industry averages $68. Its sponsored games with athletes deliver 100% of the net proceeds to charity. Instead of cash prizes in those games, fans win priceless experiences from athletes, including, meet-and-greets at games and autographed gear.

FantasyHub

Pre Seed Round in 2015
FantasyHub is a Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platform that offers players the opportunity to win money, while also supporting great causes. On average, 5% of fantasy game winnings go to support the winner’s charity of choice, with the rest split between FantasyHub and the winners. The company's charitable mission allows them to partner with some of the biggest names in sports to fuel our user acquisition. It has worked with over 30 Pro-Athletes who run games on FantasyHub to raise support for their foundations. Their athletes include Kurt Warner, Jalen Rose, Bo Jackson, and Albert Pu-jols. Combining their athlete games with traditional acquisition strategies, they are able to acquire users for $6; the industry averages $68. Its sponsored games with athletes deliver 100% of the net proceeds to charity. Instead of cash prizes in those games, fans win priceless experiences from athletes, including, meet-and-greets at games and autographed gear.