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

Mark Tortorella

Advisor

Nathanial Zola

MD

Past deals in Digital Media

MoodSpark

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
We develop, market and sell digital reminiscence technology.

Black Oak TV

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Black Oak TV focuses on digital media, film, television, video streaming, and content such as black web series. They created short films, TV shows, movies, and more to check out on their website, YouTube, Facebook, and IG. Their company has offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Oakland.

Digital Medical Tech

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Digital Medical Tech created a platform that allows health systems to proactively track medical devices and equipment. Using Bluetooth technology, Digital Medical Tech’s real-time location system provides monitoring and management of a wide variety of medical assets, while requiring less infrastructure and shorter installation time than typical tracking solutions. The company was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

Donut Media

Seed Round in 2017
Donut Media Inc. is a digital media company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in creating cross-platform video content for automotive and motorsports enthusiasts. Founded in 2015, the company utilizes proprietary technology and a curated network of influencers to produce and distribute engaging car-related content across various social media channels. Donut Media has developed a data-driven approach to content creation, enabling it to produce highly shareable videos that resonate with its target audience.

Donut Media

Seed Round in 2016
Donut Media Inc. is a digital media company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in creating cross-platform video content for automotive and motorsports enthusiasts. Founded in 2015, the company utilizes proprietary technology and a curated network of influencers to produce and distribute engaging car-related content across various social media channels. Donut Media has developed a data-driven approach to content creation, enabling it to produce highly shareable videos that resonate with its target audience.

Clarify

Seed Round in 2013
The world has moved beyond text. That simple understanding is at the heart of what we’re doing at Clarify (formerly OP3Nvoice). Ever since the invention of the Gutenberg press human knowledge has been preserved and communicated in text. The digital explosion has changed this. Now video and audio technologies enable the capture and storage of information in quantities that are mind-boggling. Just think of the huge volume of phone calls or conference videos that are recorded every day.

BrightMove Media

Seed Round in 2013
BrightMove Media is provides real-time and geo-targeted digital outdoor advertising solutions. The company offers TaxiCast, a digital advertising service that broadcasts targeted and relevant digital advertising from a dual-sided LED screen mounted on the roof of licensed London black taxis.

Graphicly

Series A in 2010
The Graphicly platform offers automated self-publishing by converting, distributing and promoting image-based digital content across the most popular consumer mobile and eBook marketplaces including the Apple iOS Newsstand and iBookstore, Barnes & Noble NOOK Color, Amazon Kindle store, Facebook and many others, while streamlining the work flow, reducing production costs significantly and providing authors and publishers detailed real-time analytics. As the only platform that optimizes image-based content, Graphicly is uniquely poised to take advantage of the $23 billion publishing market, including the more than 300,000 self-published authors expected to produce a graphical work this year.

Graphicly

Seed Round in 2009
The Graphicly platform offers automated self-publishing by converting, distributing and promoting image-based digital content across the most popular consumer mobile and eBook marketplaces including the Apple iOS Newsstand and iBookstore, Barnes & Noble NOOK Color, Amazon Kindle store, Facebook and many others, while streamlining the work flow, reducing production costs significantly and providing authors and publishers detailed real-time analytics. As the only platform that optimizes image-based content, Graphicly is uniquely poised to take advantage of the $23 billion publishing market, including the more than 300,000 self-published authors expected to produce a graphical work this year.