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 Energy

NeedEnergy

Pre Seed Round in 2023
NeedEnergy is there to provide sustainable and clean energy solutions based on energy data. NeedEnergy is an energy-tech start-up company that leverages innovation, data and modern technology through ai and machine learning relevant with time as its core values.

Cancrie

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Cancrie produces sustainable advanced material for energy storage devices. It transforms waste into quality advanced battery material that increases the efficiency of energy storage devices through a simple drop-in solution.

Moduly

Pre Seed Round in 2021
The Future of Smart Home Energy

Sync Energy AI

Seed Round in 2020
Syn is an Energy-Tech startup helping electric utilities save money, time, and resources while they prepare for, or deal with natural disaster-like emergencies. We own two proprietary Artificial Intelligence technologies that help us do this, and deliver real value via our SaaS/PaaS offerings.

EnergyHawk

Pre Seed Round in 2020
EnergyHawk is a global leader of satellite powered Energy Assessments. Our goal is to help bridge the gap between third party energy companies and customer energy data. Our customers are able to search the largest energy consumers in North America and easily access consumption, demand and other facility level factors in order to help their go to market strategies.

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.

Hydro Wind Energy

Seed Round in 2020
Hydro Wind Energy is focused on becoming a leading sustainable energy provider, dedicated to addressing the environmental crisis through the development of zero carbon emission technologies. The company aims to deliver low-cost clean electricity and grid-scale energy storage solutions. Additionally, Hydro Wind Energy is engaged in creating handheld seawater desalination devices intended for humanitarian use and the marine sector, thereby enhancing access to essential resources. Through these initiatives, the company seeks to make a significant positive impact on the global environment, economy, and overall welfare of humanity.

PowerMarket

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Climate change is one of the biggest threats today. PowerMarket, supported by the University of Oxford and European Space Agency Business Incubator, is on a mission to facilitate sustainable energy for all, creating energy independence. The traditional energy model is based on centralised, large-scale electricity generation systems. The model is not only capital intensive, but also has high carbon emissions. To combat the threat of climate change, countries are increasingly switching to renewable electricity. However, at a national scale, most still focus on large-scale energy generation plants that require heavy capital investment. Sustainable energy transition challenge is not only for governments and public sector institutions, but for all of us. PowerMarket’s objective is to help individuals and companies to cost effectively install decentralised renewable energy generation and battery storage, so that they can become increasingly energy independent and protect themselves from rising energy prices. First few steps towards an energy revolution - PowerMarket’s pilot Satellite Assessment Tool (SAT) allows individuals and companies to assess their property’s solar feasibility within a few clicks, and for free. Now you can use this information to find suppliers, finance and maintenance solutions fit for your need.

EnMass Energy

Pre Seed Round in 2020
EnMass Energy specializes in renewable energy production through biomass, utilizing agricultural waste to generate electricity for industrial and commercial clients, including private utilities and national grids. The company also caters to off-grid consumers and rural communities, facilitating energy access through its innovative solutions. Founded in 2015 and based in Durham, North Carolina, EnMass Energy enhances the efficiency of waste-to-energy projects by digitizing supply chain operations, addressing procurement challenges in the industry. Additionally, the company offers the CACHE system, a mobile platform that connects smallholder farmers with businesses and governments, providing tools for online farm monitoring, field assessments, and improved transparency and traceability for growers.

Tempus Energy

Seed Round in 2019
Tempus Energy is a clean-tech start-up, established to exploit a disruptive technology and business model. The company's technology uses AI and smart algorithms to control and optimize when flexible assets use energy. By predicting volatility in carbon intensity and market prices we allow customers to reduce their energy costs - while simultaneously enhancing their use of renewables. Tempus Energy has experience working with SME’s and large business customers to identify and unlock flexible assets. The company was founded in 2012.

Salient Energy

Seed Round in 2019
Salient Energy is focused on the commercialization of a novel zinc-ion battery developed from research at the University of Waterloo. This innovative battery technology is designed for electricity storage in the grid, offering a safer and more sustainable alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Salient Energy's proprietary cathode materials uniquely incorporate zinc into their crystal lattice, resulting in a relatively high energy density. This advancement allows for the use of traditional battery designs compatible with existing manufacturing processes, making it feasible to produce these batteries in current facilities worldwide. Consequently, Salient Energy's products provide a cost-effective, long-lasting solution for energy storage, catering to the needs of electric industry stakeholders.

Zeno Power

Pre Seed Round in 2019
They are developing a next-generation radioisotope power system that converts the heat from recycled nuclear waste into electricity.Their novel fuel and shielding design results in a system that is lightweight, cost-effective, and provides always-on, resilient power for years at a time.

WATTMORE

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Backed by Techstars, Nikola Power is building a software infrastructure which seamlessly integrates and manages millions of distributed energy resources. We combine our technology with extensive experience in renewable energy development and project finance to help customers easily access and optimize the benefits of energy storage.

Ecoisme

Seed Round in 2016
Ecoisme sp. z o.o., founded in 2014 and based in Krakow, Poland, specializes in home energy monitoring solutions. The company has developed a device that detects the energy consumption of various household appliances and provides users with insights into their electricity usage through a mobile application. This system employs a single sensor that connects contactlessly to the fuse box, enabling users to monitor their energy expenditures and identify potential overuse of grid or solar energy. Additionally, Ecoisme notifies homeowners of any impending appliance failures. The company has gained recognition for its innovative technology, having successfully launched an Indiegogo campaign and received the CES Best of Innovations Award. Furthermore, Ecoisme has joined the Edison Electric Institute and is collaborating on pilot projects with notable organizations such as EDF, Virgin Media, and Dubai Energy and Water Authority.

Ecoisme

Convertible Note in 2016
Ecoisme sp. z o.o., founded in 2014 and based in Krakow, Poland, specializes in home energy monitoring solutions. The company has developed a device that detects the energy consumption of various household appliances and provides users with insights into their electricity usage through a mobile application. This system employs a single sensor that connects contactlessly to the fuse box, enabling users to monitor their energy expenditures and identify potential overuse of grid or solar energy. Additionally, Ecoisme notifies homeowners of any impending appliance failures. The company has gained recognition for its innovative technology, having successfully launched an Indiegogo campaign and received the CES Best of Innovations Award. Furthermore, Ecoisme has joined the Edison Electric Institute and is collaborating on pilot projects with notable organizations such as EDF, Virgin Media, and Dubai Energy and Water Authority.

Simple Energy

Series B in 2014
Simple Energy is a customer engagement platform focused on motivating individuals to save energy. The company develops data-driven software that informs users about their energy consumption and encourages them to adopt more sustainable practices. By making the process of energy conservation social, enjoyable, and straightforward, Simple Energy aims to create lasting behavioral changes in how people use energy. The platform helps users understand their energy usage and identify opportunities for savings, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Enertiv

Pre Seed Round in 2013
Enertiv, Inc. is a digital energy company based in New York that specializes in energy efficiency solutions for the real estate sector and related markets. Founded in 2011, the company focuses on optimizing building operations by transforming data into actionable insights. Enertiv's platform collects and analyzes data from various sources, supplemented by IoT devices, to monitor critical equipment, tenant spaces, and indoor environmental conditions. This comprehensive approach allows property owners and operators to identify inefficiencies and reduce waste in their operating expenses. By streamlining operations and enhancing performance, Enertiv empowers its clients to make informed, data-driven decisions that enhance asset value and improve tenant health.

Playground Energy

Seed Round in 2013
Playground energy is developing ideas which are making outdoor games more fun, educational and functional. Our main focus is to utilize the energy created at outdoor playgrounds and to use it for interactive motivation of the kids without sacrificing the gaming experience.

Simple Energy

Series A in 2013
Simple Energy is a customer engagement platform focused on motivating individuals to save energy. The company develops data-driven software that informs users about their energy consumption and encourages them to adopt more sustainable practices. By making the process of energy conservation social, enjoyable, and straightforward, Simple Energy aims to create lasting behavioral changes in how people use energy. The platform helps users understand their energy usage and identify opportunities for savings, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Playground Energy

Seed Round in 2013
Playground energy is developing ideas which are making outdoor games more fun, educational and functional. Our main focus is to utilize the energy created at outdoor playgrounds and to use it for interactive motivation of the kids without sacrificing the gaming experience.

Playground Energy

Seed Round in 2012
Playground energy is developing ideas which are making outdoor games more fun, educational and functional. Our main focus is to utilize the energy created at outdoor playgrounds and to use it for interactive motivation of the kids without sacrificing the gaming experience.

Simple Energy

Seed Round in 2011
Simple Energy is a customer engagement platform focused on motivating individuals to save energy. The company develops data-driven software that informs users about their energy consumption and encourages them to adopt more sustainable practices. By making the process of energy conservation social, enjoyable, and straightforward, Simple Energy aims to create lasting behavioral changes in how people use energy. The platform helps users understand their energy usage and identify opportunities for savings, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Simple Energy

Seed Round in 2011
Simple Energy is a customer engagement platform focused on motivating individuals to save energy. The company develops data-driven software that informs users about their energy consumption and encourages them to adopt more sustainable practices. By making the process of energy conservation social, enjoyable, and straightforward, Simple Energy aims to create lasting behavioral changes in how people use energy. The platform helps users understand their energy usage and identify opportunities for savings, contributing to a more sustainable future.