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
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Ethan Austin

MD of the Techstars Western Union Accelerator

Mark Tortorella

Advisor

Nathanial Zola

MD

Past deals in Biofuel

Ecolectro

Seed Round in 2022
Ecolectro makes materials that make clean fuels and chemicals. The company is commercializing a proprietary platform of novel polymers that are best in class, allowing its customers to produce devices that last longer and cost less. Ecolectro has defensible IP, state-of-the-art facilities, experienced personnel, and strong customer traction.

Khepra

Seed Round in 2021
Khepra uses proprietary technology and excess renewable electricity to break down plastics and agricultural waste. The company applies ultrasonic technology to breaking waste streams into drop-in fuels in a novel, completely electrified process. This process is used as a method to use excess solar and wind energy during curtailment and provide clean energy generation during times of low generation. The company is operating in San Francisco, California.

Hya Bioplastics

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Hya Bioplastics is a startup focused on producing biodegradable food packaging made from re-engineered plant fibers. The company utilizes proprietary decentralized manufacturing technology to create cost-competitive biodegradable solutions, aiming to provide sustainable alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics. Hya Bioplastics is also developing a patent-pending process that enhances the production of bioplastics from plant waste fibers, contributing to environmentally friendly packaging options.

AlgenAir

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
AlgenAir is a company focused on improving indoor air quality through the development of natural air purifiers that utilize algae. Their innovative filters are designed to effectively remove carbon dioxide from the environment while simultaneously producing oxygen, creating a healthier atmosphere for occupants. By harnessing the natural processes of algae, AlgenAir offers an organic solution for air purification, catering to those seeking sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives for enhancing air quality indoors.

Falcon Technologies

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Falcon Technologies is an economic solution for reusing & recycling produced and flow back water at the wellsite.

Hyperion Global Energy

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Hyperion Global Energy is developing modular carbon capture & recycling technology at a breakthrough industrial scale.

Cnergreen

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Cnergreen is an enhanced oil recovery and CO2 storage efficiency via resilient nanoparticle-based foam technology.

Ecolectro

Funding Round in 2021
Ecolectro makes materials that make clean fuels and chemicals. The company is commercializing a proprietary platform of novel polymers that are best in class, allowing its customers to produce devices that last longer and cost less. Ecolectro has defensible IP, state-of-the-art facilities, experienced personnel, and strong customer traction.

Grubbly Farms

Seed Round in 2020
Grubbly Farms Inc., founded in 2015 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in producing and selling sustainable feed and snacks for chickens using black soldier fly larvae. The company's flagship product, Grubblies, is made from dried larvae that are cultivated on pre-consumer food waste, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional poultry feed. This approach not only addresses the rising costs associated with livestock feed—one of the largest expenses for farmers—but also provides a high-protein, calcium-rich diet that supports egg and feather production. By offering an innovative and sustainable source of protein, Grubbly Farms aims to alleviate financial pressures on farms while promoting environmentally responsible farming practices. The company's products are available for purchase online, catering to poultry owners seeking healthier feeding options for their livestock.

Mesodyne

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Mesodyne's solution is a novel ultra-high energy density, multi-fuel, silent, compact power generator. Our generators convert fuel to electricity with heat and light as intermediaries: a small micro combustor heats a photonic crystal to incandescence and the resulting light is tailored to the bandgap of an infrared cell resulting in unprecedented high efficiencies.

Poliloop

Seed Round in 2020
Poliloop B.V., based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, specializes in converting non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastics into biodegradable products. The company has developed a microbial cocktail capable of degrading various types of single-use plastics, including PET, PP, LDPE, HDPE, PS, CPE, and EVA. This innovative process can function under suboptimal conditions and has been tested on both individual and mixed plastics, including those contaminated with food debris. Poliloop's method not only addresses the pressing issue of plastic waste but also produces valuable end-products such as bioplastics and biogas, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy. The degradation process begins within two days, with complete breakdown of the polymers occurring over approximately two months.

SeeO2 Energy

Seed Round in 2019
SeeO2 Energy is a company focused on efficiently converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into marketable and clean value-added fuels and chemicals using reversible fuel-cell technology. SeeO2 Energy is converting carbon dioxide into marketable and clean value-added fuels and chemicals using reversible fuel technology. Its electrolyzers can efficiently generate gases on-site such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or oxygen in a reliable way. The company is developing an efficient and high performance reversible solid oxide cells (RSOFCs). Its technology, which involves the use of a high-performance catalyst material, allows the electrochemical conversion of water to hydrogen, carbon dioxide (CO2) to carbon monoxide (CO), and CO2 and water to produce syngas, a mixture of CO and H2.

FuelSave

Pre Seed Round in 2019
FuelSave is a disruptive energy efficiency enhancement company with a strong R&D and engineering background, that combines its own patented innovations and core technologies with components from industry-leading providers to provide highly innovative and efficient turnkey energy solutions in a variety of sectors. FuelSave was founded in 2012, in order to enhance the fuel efficiencies & reduce emissions for trucks and utility vehicles in an innovative & sustainable way. The focus in R&D quickly widened up for various use cases in other markets where the technology can be adapted and deployed to bring measurable benefits to the users that make economical sense while reducing the impact in the environment.

Twelve

Seed Round in 2019
Opus 12 captures carbon emissions where pollution is generated and turns the CO2 into chemicals like methane, ethylene, and ethanol. Their technology bolts onto any source of CO₂ emissions, and with only water and electricity as inputs, transforms that CO₂ into some of the world's most critical chemical products. The company plans to recycle CO2 emissions into liquid fuels and chemical precursors cost-competitively with petroleum-sourced products. It also develops a profitable solution to carbon emissions by recycling CO₂ into cost-competitive chemicals and fuels. It is based in Berkeley, California.

Mobius

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Mobius provides environmental solutions that convert waste streams into chemicals and materials. At Mobius, we're creating a world where There’s Wonder in Waste. We’re a mission-driven company focused on eliminating waste by leveraging industrial organic waste streams from agriculture, forestry, paper and biofuel & biorefining industries to create new materials and chemicals. Our first product is a proprietary, biodegradable polymer made from lignin, a natural material found in all grasses and trees that is produced as waste at a rate of over 50 million tons each year by the paper and biofuel industries. With this biopolymer, we are creating a bio-based, biodegradable plastic pellets for applications in horticulture, agriculture, food service packaging, and beyond.

Planetarians

Seed Round in 2019
Why: When the alternative meat consumption grows from the current 2% to a projected 23%, where will the industry get proteins? Isolation, fermentation, cultured… all of them require it’s own ingredients for proteins. They might be not so readily available in the food system on the Earth… What: PLANETARIANS developed a new platform to make alternative meats from animal feed (Sunflower, Corn DDGS, Pulses). Skipping protein isolation it uses just 0.5:1 water (no chemicals). Product prototypes have umami taste, improved protein quality and lower costs than meats made from isolates and concentrates. How: Solid-state fermentation converts carbs in the ingredients into extra protein in addition to inherent one and improves PDCAAS. Wet extrusion works as a kill step and creates a meat-like texture.

DroneSeed, Inc.

Seed Round in 2019
DroneSeed, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that specializes in reforestation services, providing innovative solutions to timber companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies across the Northwest and Southeast United States. Established in 2015, DroneSeed utilizes advanced drone technology to plant tree seed vessels, apply fertilizers and herbicides, and gather field data. The company is notable for its pioneering achievements, having received multiple FAA approvals that allow it to operate heavy-lift drone swarms, each capable of carrying a 57-pound payload. This capability enables DroneSeed to enhance the scalability of reforestation efforts, which is essential for addressing carbon emissions. By charging clients on a per-acre basis for its services, DroneSeed aims to make a significant impact on environmental restoration and sustainable forestry practices.

Pilotworks

Venture Round in 2018
Pilotworks is a provider of culinary incubation services that supports the growth of independent food companies. It offers flexible kitchen spaces, including standard, private, and semi-private arrangements, catering to businesses of all sizes, from startups to established national companies. In addition to workspace, Pilotworks provides a range of powerful services, including community support and mentoring, alongside cooking tips and advice. This comprehensive approach enables food entrepreneurs to access the resources and guidance they need to thrive in a competitive market.

Pilotworks

Series A in 2017
Pilotworks is a provider of culinary incubation services that supports the growth of independent food companies. It offers flexible kitchen spaces, including standard, private, and semi-private arrangements, catering to businesses of all sizes, from startups to established national companies. In addition to workspace, Pilotworks provides a range of powerful services, including community support and mentoring, alongside cooking tips and advice. This comprehensive approach enables food entrepreneurs to access the resources and guidance they need to thrive in a competitive market.

DroneSeed, Inc.

Venture Round in 2017
DroneSeed, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that specializes in reforestation services, providing innovative solutions to timber companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies across the Northwest and Southeast United States. Established in 2015, DroneSeed utilizes advanced drone technology to plant tree seed vessels, apply fertilizers and herbicides, and gather field data. The company is notable for its pioneering achievements, having received multiple FAA approvals that allow it to operate heavy-lift drone swarms, each capable of carrying a 57-pound payload. This capability enables DroneSeed to enhance the scalability of reforestation efforts, which is essential for addressing carbon emissions. By charging clients on a per-acre basis for its services, DroneSeed aims to make a significant impact on environmental restoration and sustainable forestry practices.

Pomp

Seed Round in 2017
Pomp is a fuel delivery service based in Paris, France, that caters to both individuals and businesses by offering an on-demand platform for ordering various types of fuel, including diesel and gasoline. Established in 2016, Pomp aims to streamline the refueling process, saving time and reducing the stress associated with traditional fueling methods. By bringing fuel directly to users, Pomp eliminates the need for detours to gas stations, which not only enhances convenience but also contributes to lower traffic and decreased CO2 emissions. The company's focus on accessibility and affordability is supported by an efficient distribution network and logistical framework, making it a viable option for those seeking a modern solution to fuel delivery.

Planetarians

Convertible Note in 2017
Why: When the alternative meat consumption grows from the current 2% to a projected 23%, where will the industry get proteins? Isolation, fermentation, cultured… all of them require it’s own ingredients for proteins. They might be not so readily available in the food system on the Earth… What: PLANETARIANS developed a new platform to make alternative meats from animal feed (Sunflower, Corn DDGS, Pulses). Skipping protein isolation it uses just 0.5:1 water (no chemicals). Product prototypes have umami taste, improved protein quality and lower costs than meats made from isolates and concentrates. How: Solid-state fermentation converts carbs in the ingredients into extra protein in addition to inherent one and improves PDCAAS. Wet extrusion works as a kill step and creates a meat-like texture.

Planetarians

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Why: When the alternative meat consumption grows from the current 2% to a projected 23%, where will the industry get proteins? Isolation, fermentation, cultured… all of them require it’s own ingredients for proteins. They might be not so readily available in the food system on the Earth… What: PLANETARIANS developed a new platform to make alternative meats from animal feed (Sunflower, Corn DDGS, Pulses). Skipping protein isolation it uses just 0.5:1 water (no chemicals). Product prototypes have umami taste, improved protein quality and lower costs than meats made from isolates and concentrates. How: Solid-state fermentation converts carbs in the ingredients into extra protein in addition to inherent one and improves PDCAAS. Wet extrusion works as a kill step and creates a meat-like texture.

Fueloyal

Convertible Note in 2016
Fueloyal, Inc. specializes in manufacturing GPS fleet tracking devices and fuel management equipment, with a focus on addressing issues in the trucking industry. Founded in 2015 and based in Bloomingdale, Illinois, the company offers innovative products, including the patented Smart Fuel Cap, which prevents fuel theft and card misuse. This device integrates smart hardware and software to provide trucking companies with comprehensive protection against fuel-related losses. Additionally, the Smart Fuel Cap collects and analyzes data from sensors on trucks, enabling companies to optimize fuel purchases and potentially save up to $950 per truck each month. Fueloyal's solutions encompass GPS tracking and asset tracking, ensuring real-time location monitoring, alerts, and enhanced asset security for fleet operators.

Grubbly Farms

Seed Round in 2016
Grubbly Farms Inc., founded in 2015 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in producing and selling sustainable feed and snacks for chickens using black soldier fly larvae. The company's flagship product, Grubblies, is made from dried larvae that are cultivated on pre-consumer food waste, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional poultry feed. This approach not only addresses the rising costs associated with livestock feed—one of the largest expenses for farmers—but also provides a high-protein, calcium-rich diet that supports egg and feather production. By offering an innovative and sustainable source of protein, Grubbly Farms aims to alleviate financial pressures on farms while promoting environmentally responsible farming practices. The company's products are available for purchase online, catering to poultry owners seeking healthier feeding options for their livestock.

Pilotworks

Seed Round in 2015
Pilotworks is a provider of culinary incubation services that supports the growth of independent food companies. It offers flexible kitchen spaces, including standard, private, and semi-private arrangements, catering to businesses of all sizes, from startups to established national companies. In addition to workspace, Pilotworks provides a range of powerful services, including community support and mentoring, alongside cooking tips and advice. This comprehensive approach enables food entrepreneurs to access the resources and guidance they need to thrive in a competitive market.

Bevi

Seed Round in 2014
Bevi aims to eliminate waste from the production, shipping, and disposing of bottled beverages. We envision a future where a smarter platform (powered by the municipal water supply) transforms how beverages are delivered. It is an ambitious goal, but we are on it!