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
http://techstars.com/ventures
https://crunchbase.com/organization/techstars
https://facebook.com/techstars
https://linkedin.com/company/techstars
https://twitter.com/techstars
https://www.capitaliq.com/CIQDotNet/company.aspx?companyId=431767203
https://www.privateequityinternational.com/database/#/profile?id=14977

Ethan Austin

MD of the Techstars Western Union Accelerator

Mark Tortorella

Advisor

Nathanial Zola

MD

Past deals in Tourism

Ballbox

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Ballbox is a provider of logistics services focused on the rental of sports, technology, and leisure equipment. The company offers an innovative solar-powered vending system that allows tourists and residents to rent items such as footballs and beach chairs. By enabling customers to access packages purchased online, rent products for immediate use, and buy necessary items on the spot, Ballbox facilitates a convenient experience for users at various locations, including apartments, hotels, parks, and beaches. This approach not only enhances leisure activities but also supports retailers by allowing them to deliver their products directly to consumers.

Trabble

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Trabble provides a guest engagement platform as a solution for the travel & hospitality industry. Their platform allows businesses to have personalised chat-based concierge services that can answer their travellers' questions in real-time, provide travel services and recommend activities or experiences during their trip.

left

Pre Seed Round in 2020
LEFT develops an online platform for travelers to share and manage their travel information. The company develops a web portal for coordinators to manage travelers and programs; a mobile application for travelers and field staff; and travel database to archive travel data. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in the United States.

Ruksack

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Ruksack is a provider of travel planning services that connects travelers with local experts to enhance their travel experiences. The company offers a platform where users can engage in discussions with travel specialists, participate in planning sessions, and create customized itineraries. Ruksack also features a curated collection of travel tips, blogs, and videos from trusted experts, all organized in one accessible location. This comprehensive approach allows travelers to easily access valuable insights and resources, making the process of planning their perfect trip more efficient and informed.

Seek Sophie

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Seek Sophie is the world's first sustainable travel platform. Seek Sophie enables travellers to book Outdoors, Wildlife & Ecotourism activities directly with a community of impact-driven local businesses. Seek Sophie's mission is to create a fairer and more ethical world of travel, that benefits travellers, the local communities and the planet. Seek Sophie is committed to positive-footprint travel. Over-80% of the money you spend goes to creating jobs in the local communities, and offsetting the carbon footprint of travel. For every $1 spend on Seek Sophie, we offset 1lb of carbon emissions.

Seek Sophie

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Seek Sophie is the world's first sustainable travel platform. Seek Sophie enables travellers to book Outdoors, Wildlife & Ecotourism activities directly with a community of impact-driven local businesses. Seek Sophie's mission is to create a fairer and more ethical world of travel, that benefits travellers, the local communities and the planet. Seek Sophie is committed to positive-footprint travel. Over-80% of the money you spend goes to creating jobs in the local communities, and offsetting the carbon footprint of travel. For every $1 spend on Seek Sophie, we offset 1lb of carbon emissions.

FomoTravel

Funding Round in 2017
FOMO Travel is an online lay-buy platform where one can pay a small deposit towards a travel goal and along the way, pay instalments. It helps individuals, families and groups to avoid all interest and debt whilst simultaneously allowing friends and family to contribute towards the traveler's goal. FOMO has formed an operational partnership with the Singer Group as well as a direct partnership with SA Tourism. FOMO has also signed and is in the process of finalising a POC/Campaign with Absa. FOMO has also been in various media articles (City Press, Fin24 etc.) as well as radio stations (SAFM, Cape Talk etc.)

FomoTravel

Seed Round in 2017
FOMO Travel is an online lay-buy platform where one can pay a small deposit towards a travel goal and along the way, pay instalments. It helps individuals, families and groups to avoid all interest and debt whilst simultaneously allowing friends and family to contribute towards the traveler's goal. FOMO has formed an operational partnership with the Singer Group as well as a direct partnership with SA Tourism. FOMO has also signed and is in the process of finalising a POC/Campaign with Absa. FOMO has also been in various media articles (City Press, Fin24 etc.) as well as radio stations (SAFM, Cape Talk etc.)

TourWithMe Inc.

Convertible Note in 2016
TourWithMe is an integrated online marketplace for people to list, explore, and book their desired travelling spots worldwide online or from your smartphone.

Bookity

Venture Round in 2015
Bookity specializes in group reservation software tailored for museums, historic sites, and various attractions. The platform aims to enhance the booking experience by fostering connections between reservation staff and visitors. By streamlining the reservation process, Bookity enables these institutions to manage group bookings more efficiently, allowing them to focus on visitor engagement rather than administrative tasks.

Bookity

Convertible Note in 2014
Bookity specializes in group reservation software tailored for museums, historic sites, and various attractions. The platform aims to enhance the booking experience by fostering connections between reservation staff and visitors. By streamlining the reservation process, Bookity enables these institutions to manage group bookings more efficiently, allowing them to focus on visitor engagement rather than administrative tasks.

Bookity

Seed Round in 2014
Bookity specializes in group reservation software tailored for museums, historic sites, and various attractions. The platform aims to enhance the booking experience by fostering connections between reservation staff and visitors. By streamlining the reservation process, Bookity enables these institutions to manage group bookings more efficiently, allowing them to focus on visitor engagement rather than administrative tasks.

SideTour

Seed Round in 2011
SideTour is a community marketplace that allows individuals to discover, book, and host unique experiences and activities. These offerings range from dining at a chef's home to exclusive backstage access at Broadway shows or sunset views from private sailboats. Founded in June 2011 and headquartered in New York City, SideTour aims to connect users with creative hosts who are eager to share their talents and passions. The platform facilitates a range of activities, including tours and dine-outs, fostering a vibrant community where people can engage with one another through shared experiences.

Flextrip

Seed Round in 2011
Flextrip is the world's largest tours & activities distribution network. Leveraging our unique distribution technology, OTA's, Airlines, Hotels & Car Rental chains now have access to an unparalleled selection of electronically bookable content with some of the highest commissions in the industry.

The Highway Girl

Seed Round in 2008
The Highway Girl helps travelers discover great music, venues and unique products. We bring together handmade goods that make your journey more comfortable.