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 Vermont

Ello

Series B in 2017
Ello, PBC is a social network platform founded in 2014 and headquartered in Burlington, Vermont. It was established by a group of artists seeking to create a more positive online environment, free from the negativity, clutter, and data mining prevalent on other platforms. The network serves as a space for artists, designers, musicians, and other creatives to connect, share, and promote their work while earning a living through their talents. Users can discover and discuss their passions, fostering a robust community focused on art and creativity. As of April 30, 2018, Ello operates as a subsidiary of Talenthouse, Inc.

Ello

Series B in 2015
Ello, PBC is a social network platform founded in 2014 and headquartered in Burlington, Vermont. It was established by a group of artists seeking to create a more positive online environment, free from the negativity, clutter, and data mining prevalent on other platforms. The network serves as a space for artists, designers, musicians, and other creatives to connect, share, and promote their work while earning a living through their talents. Users can discover and discuss their passions, fostering a robust community focused on art and creativity. As of April 30, 2018, Ello operates as a subsidiary of Talenthouse, Inc.

Ello

Series A in 2014
Ello, PBC is a social network platform founded in 2014 and headquartered in Burlington, Vermont. It was established by a group of artists seeking to create a more positive online environment, free from the negativity, clutter, and data mining prevalent on other platforms. The network serves as a space for artists, designers, musicians, and other creatives to connect, share, and promote their work while earning a living through their talents. Users can discover and discuss their passions, fostering a robust community focused on art and creativity. As of April 30, 2018, Ello operates as a subsidiary of Talenthouse, Inc.

Ello

Seed Round in 2014
Ello, PBC is a social network platform founded in 2014 and headquartered in Burlington, Vermont. It was established by a group of artists seeking to create a more positive online environment, free from the negativity, clutter, and data mining prevalent on other platforms. The network serves as a space for artists, designers, musicians, and other creatives to connect, share, and promote their work while earning a living through their talents. Users can discover and discuss their passions, fostering a robust community focused on art and creativity. As of April 30, 2018, Ello operates as a subsidiary of Talenthouse, Inc.

Kohort

Seed Round in 2011
Kohort, Inc. is a Burlington, Vermont-based company that designs and develops a private social media application focused on enhancing connections among family and community members. Established in 2010, Kohort provides users with a platform to share photos, content, and stories while prioritizing privacy and ethical technology. The application features comprehensive management tools for membership directories, communications, events, ticketing, and dues, allowing organizations to manage their structures through subgroups. By emphasizing meaningful relationships over the expansive networks typical of larger social media platforms, Kohort aims to create a more intimate and secure environment for its users.