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 Subscription

Autority

Seed Round in 2021
Autority operates as a subscription-based multi-channel benefits platform designed for vehicle owners, offering significant savings and perks. The platform helps vehicle owners save hundreds of dollars annually while providing additional services at no cost. It also supports auto shop owners by driving new customer traffic, thereby increasing their sales and service opportunities. Additionally, Autority features a B2B marketplace that allows auto part suppliers to effectively sell their products. The company has developed an automotive application that streamlines vehicle-related payments, enabling users to manage expenses such as traffic fines, insurance, tolls, and fuel efficiently. This comprehensive approach facilitates quick access to payment receipts, enhancing the overall experience for vehicle owners and service providers alike.

Autority

Seed Round in 2021
Autority operates as a subscription-based multi-channel benefits platform designed for vehicle owners, offering significant savings and perks. The platform helps vehicle owners save hundreds of dollars annually while providing additional services at no cost. It also supports auto shop owners by driving new customer traffic, thereby increasing their sales and service opportunities. Additionally, Autority features a B2B marketplace that allows auto part suppliers to effectively sell their products. The company has developed an automotive application that streamlines vehicle-related payments, enabling users to manage expenses such as traffic fines, insurance, tolls, and fuel efficiently. This comprehensive approach facilitates quick access to payment receipts, enhancing the overall experience for vehicle owners and service providers alike.

Flourish

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Flourish offers a subscription membership that helps women develop healthy habits that last through personalized accountability, community support, and education.

CYCLE

Seed Round in 2020
GetHenry provides electric vehicle subscriptions incl. software and service to delivery companies and couriers.

AfroLandTV

Pre Seed Round in 2020
AfroLandTV Inc. provides subscription streaming entertainment service through its TV platform for pan African TV shows and movies. It offers movies, web series, shows, and others. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Newark, Delaware.

Inspire Me World

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Co-Founder and Director of Inspire Me World Ltd, a subscription box that allows you to experience the world wherever you are.

Fernish

Series A in 2020
Fernish is a furniture rental startup company that offers provides furniture as a subscription model to consumers living a mobile lifestyle. The company seeks to redefine the way the market sees furniture rental by positioning itself as a lifestyle brand. It offers a rent to own program that allows subscribers to apply their previous payments towards the cost of the piece or pieces they want to buy at the end of their subscription. Users are allowed to subscribe to an entire room or specific pieces and can even swap out things they don’t like or simply want to change up at any point. Founders Michael Barlow and Lucas Dickey launched the company in Los Angeles, California in 2017.

CYCLE

Pre Seed Round in 2020
GetHenry provides electric vehicle subscriptions incl. software and service to delivery companies and couriers.

PayPeanuts

Pre Seed Round in 2019
PayPeanuts GmbH, established in 2014 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, operates an online platform that allows users to utilize their loyalty points for purchasing premium content. The company aims to enhance the value of loyalty programs by integrating these points into digital transactions, enabling customers to pay for online services and experiences without using traditional currency. This innovative approach not only provides consumers with a convenient payment option but also helps businesses attract and retain customers by offering a unique digital experience.

Fernish

Venture Round in 2019
Fernish is a furniture rental startup company that offers provides furniture as a subscription model to consumers living a mobile lifestyle. The company seeks to redefine the way the market sees furniture rental by positioning itself as a lifestyle brand. It offers a rent to own program that allows subscribers to apply their previous payments towards the cost of the piece or pieces they want to buy at the end of their subscription. Users are allowed to subscribe to an entire room or specific pieces and can even swap out things they don’t like or simply want to change up at any point. Founders Michael Barlow and Lucas Dickey launched the company in Los Angeles, California in 2017.

PORTABL.co

Pre Seed Round in 2018
At PORTABL.co we are building a SaaS business and eco-system that provides portable insurance, portable benefits and portable savings products for those who live and work in the global freelance and gig based economies. Customer centric data and machine learning - Using real-time data and analytics we quickly understand and present to a new customer the optimum levels of cover and benefits best suited to them, the nature of their work and the stage of their life journey. Monthly subscription bundle - Rather than the individual having to sign up for anything between 7-12 products or services they are simply able to take out a membership with PORTABL.co, pay a monthly subscription fee and benefit from having all of their unique requirements wrapped up into their personalised membership bundle. We take care of everything else for them. Membership community - Membership of PORTABL.co also provides opportunities for incentives and rewards for good behaviours. We will recognise everything from referring work to other members through to adopting healthy habits. PORTABL.co rewards these good behaviours by regularly reducing the member’s monthly subscription fee. Global Eco-system - We are the only business focused on building a global, e2e Insurance as a Service platform to serve and support the freelance, gig, contracting, business-of-one, portfolio lifestyle, independent worker (phew... so many labels) economies.

SkyHi

Pre Seed Round in 2018
SkyHi Travel, Inc. provides flight booking services. It offers users to claim seats on flights based on monthly subscription basis. The company is was founded in 2016 and is based in Apple Valley, California.

Fernish

Venture Round in 2018
Fernish is a furniture rental startup company that offers provides furniture as a subscription model to consumers living a mobile lifestyle. The company seeks to redefine the way the market sees furniture rental by positioning itself as a lifestyle brand. It offers a rent to own program that allows subscribers to apply their previous payments towards the cost of the piece or pieces they want to buy at the end of their subscription. Users are allowed to subscribe to an entire room or specific pieces and can even swap out things they don’t like or simply want to change up at any point. Founders Michael Barlow and Lucas Dickey launched the company in Los Angeles, California in 2017.

Groundhog

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Groundhog is the suite of tools to power the crypto subscription economy.

SaaSOptics

Series A in 2018
SaaSOptics is a complete B2B subscription management platform that delivers subscription invoicing and payments, GAAP revenue recognition, subscription management and robust subscription metrics and analytics.  SaaSOptics is a cloud-based solution that enables early stage to enterprise B2B subscription businesses the ability to eliminate their dependency on spreadsheets and streamline their financial operations, reporting and performance metrics.

Subhe

Seed Round in 2018
Subhe is an on-demand skill development platform offering a library of video training courses and tutorials taught in Indian Local Languages. They are on a mission to help Indian youth compete in English dominated Learning space. They help undergraduate students learn in-demand skills in technical and business subjects. The courses are taught by industry experts. These courses are being offered in the form of nominal monthly and annual subscriptions giving you unlimited access to all courses.

FreshCar

Funding Round in 2017
Carma offers a software platform for vehicle subscriptions.

Bean

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Bean allows you to track your finances and identify recurring paid subscriptions so that you can better manage your money. We enable our users to cancel paid the subscriptions from our platform.

Bean

Seed Round in 2017
Bean allows you to track your finances and identify recurring paid subscriptions so that you can better manage your money. We enable our users to cancel paid the subscriptions from our platform.

SaaSOptics

Seed Round in 2016
SaaSOptics is a complete B2B subscription management platform that delivers subscription invoicing and payments, GAAP revenue recognition, subscription management and robust subscription metrics and analytics.  SaaSOptics is a cloud-based solution that enables early stage to enterprise B2B subscription businesses the ability to eliminate their dependency on spreadsheets and streamline their financial operations, reporting and performance metrics.

SaaSOptics

Pre Seed Round in 2016
SaaSOptics is a complete B2B subscription management platform that delivers subscription invoicing and payments, GAAP revenue recognition, subscription management and robust subscription metrics and analytics.  SaaSOptics is a cloud-based solution that enables early stage to enterprise B2B subscription businesses the ability to eliminate their dependency on spreadsheets and streamline their financial operations, reporting and performance metrics.

Rad

Seed Round in 2015
Rad operates a global network focused on virtual reality, 360 video, and immersive experiences, catering to the growing demand for innovative content consumption. Through its platform, Rad delivers a diverse range of programming, including eSports, music, comedy, and sports, appealing particularly to Millennial and Gen Z audiences. The service stands out by offering a variety of viewing formats such as 2D, 3D, 4K, live, and immersive VR content. Additionally, Rad incorporates blockchain technology and peer-to-peer networking, enabling viewers to earn rewards points and engage with the community. This unique combination positions Rad as a hub for next-generation viewers seeking edgy and interactive entertainment.

Rad

Seed Round in 2015
Rad operates a global network focused on virtual reality, 360 video, and immersive experiences, catering to the growing demand for innovative content consumption. Through its platform, Rad delivers a diverse range of programming, including eSports, music, comedy, and sports, appealing particularly to Millennial and Gen Z audiences. The service stands out by offering a variety of viewing formats such as 2D, 3D, 4K, live, and immersive VR content. Additionally, Rad incorporates blockchain technology and peer-to-peer networking, enabling viewers to earn rewards points and engage with the community. This unique combination positions Rad as a hub for next-generation viewers seeking edgy and interactive entertainment.

FitReserve

Seed Round in 2013
FitReserve is the premier multi-studio fitness membership that allows you to mix and match from over 200,000 classes/month at hundreds of top studios and gyms in NYC, LA, Chicago, Seattle, Boston and DC. FitReserve provides access to full studio schedules (including peak class times), plus access to exclusive insider studio and partner perks, events and more.

BabbaCo

Seed Round in 2011
BabbaCo, Inc., is a subscription service which provides each month a box of activities for parents and children to use.