Techstars is a global startup accelerator founded in 2006, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. It provides a supportive environment for entrepreneurs through various programs, including mentorship-driven accelerators, startup programs, and corporate innovation partnerships. Techstars connects founders with a vast network of mentors, investors, and industry experts to foster company growth. The organization operates multiple accelerator programs worldwide, focusing on diverse sectors such as mobility, retail, and social impact. It also manages a venture capital fund that invests in innovative technology companies at early stages. With over 1,000 companies in its accelerator portfolio, Techstars has developed a reputation for nurturing successful startups across various markets, helping them scale and achieve significant valuations.
IP Group, established in 2001 and based in London, focuses on creating value through the commercialization of intellectual property from research-intensive institutions. The firm excels in identifying suitable intellectual property for commercialization and is adept at developing businesses or forming strategic partnerships to maximize value. With a strong foundation of industry and financial expertise, IP Group has built a solid reputation for delivering consistent results for its companies, partners, and shareholders. By leveraging its extensive knowledge of the commercialization process, IP Group effectively bridges the gap between innovative research and market application, fostering growth and sustainability in its business endeavors.
East Ventures is an early-stage, sector-agnostic venture capital firm founded in 2009, with offices in Tokyo, Singapore, and Jakarta. The firm has invested in over 170 companies across Southeast Asia, with a strong emphasis on Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is recognized as a pioneer in the Indonesian startup ecosystem, being the first investor in notable unicorns such as Tokopedia and Traveloka. East Ventures' diverse portfolio includes prominent companies like Mercari, Ruangguru, and Fore Coffee. In 2018, the firm established a growth-stage fund called EV Growth to provide further support to startups in the region. East Ventures has garnered accolades for its consistent performance, being named the most active investor in Southeast Asia and Indonesia, as well as a top-performing VC fund globally by various industry observers. The firm primarily targets investments in technology, consumer web, fintech, and mobile sectors, typically investing between $0.1 million and $0.5 million in early-stage ventures.
Rockstart is an accelerator and venture capital firm founded in 2011 and headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with additional offices in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Bogotá, Colombia. The firm specializes in supporting early-stage startups across four primary sectors: Energy, Health, AgriFood, and Emerging Technologies. Rockstart offers intensive programs that provide startups with access to capital, office space, and a network of mentors, partners, and investors. Its initiatives include customized programs that foster collaboration between startups and established companies, driving opportunities for co-creation and investment. Since its inception, Rockstart has invested in over 230 startups, helping them raise more than €90 million and create over 700 jobs. The firm emphasizes a structured six-month program that includes workshops on various business topics, culminating in a Demo Day where entrepreneurs present their ventures to potential investors and partners. Additionally, Rockstart has developed specialized programs such as Rockstart AI and Rockstart Impact Nepal to cater to specific markets and entrepreneurial needs.
Boost VC is a San Mateo-based investment firm and accelerator founded in 2012, focusing on early-stage technology companies in the United States. The firm invests in startups during their incubation and pre-seed phases, particularly favoring sectors such as bitcoin, financial technology, blockchain, virtual reality, and sci-fi technology. Boost VC runs a three-month accelerator program that provides housing and office space in Silicon Valley, and it typically invests between $10,000 and $50,000, taking a 7% equity stake in return. The firm conducts two investment cycles each year, supporting over 20 startups per cycle, and has built a portfolio of more than 150 companies that have collectively raised over $200 million after participating in its program.
Moonshots Capital makes seed stage investments in technology startups led by exceptional founders who are building products that “re-imagine” work and personal life in large and growing markets. We bring a disciplined approach to the investment process to identify companies with “moonshot” potential.
DFJ, established in 1985, is a venture capital firm that specializes in providing capital to early-stage and growth-stage technology companies. Founded by Tim Draper and John Fisher, DFJ emphasizes a people-first investment philosophy, which has guided its approach to identifying and supporting innovative entrepreneurs. The firm initially gained recognition for its investments in successful companies such as Baidu, Hotmail, and Skype. Over the years, DFJ expanded its operations by establishing a Growth team dedicated to investing in companies that are scaling rapidly and are on the cusp of market leadership. Today, DFJ operates with two distinct teams—one focusing on early-phase ventures and the other on growth-stage companies—reflecting its commitment to fostering innovation across different stages of development. DFJ has successfully backed 27 companies that have each reached over $1 billion in realized value through IPOs or acquisitions, underscoring its significant impact in the technology sector.
Sequoia Capital is a prominent venture capital firm founded in 1972 and based in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in investing across various sectors, including energy, financial services, healthcare, internet, mobile, and technology. Sequoia targets startups at different stages, from seed to growth, providing investments ranging from $100,000 to $100 million, depending on the company's maturity and market potential. The firm has a global presence, with significant operations in regions such as China, India, and Israel, where it actively partners with innovative founders to support the development of transformative companies. Sequoia Capital is known for its long-term commitment to its portfolio companies, leveraging extensive experience and industry knowledge to guide entrepreneurs from initial concept to public offerings. The firm also emphasizes the importance of social impact, as a significant portion of its profits is directed towards philanthropic causes.
The Venture Reality Fund, founded in 2016, is a California-based investment firm focusing on early-stage technology companies in North America and Japan. They provide expert guidance and resources to VR, AR, and MR startups across various sectors, aiming to accelerate the development and market entry of industry-defining technologies. With a specialization in augmented, virtual, and mixed reality sectors, The VR Fund offers capital, insights, and strategic relationships to drive innovation and investment in immersive, spatial, and intelligent computing for consumer and enterprise sectors.
Presence Capital is a San Francisco-based investment firm established in 2015, specializing in early-stage investments in startups focused on virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. The firm is dedicated to supporting innovative entrepreneurs who are leveraging these transformative technologies to create new and exceptional methods of communication, work, and play. By concentrating on this emerging sector, Presence Capital aims to foster advancements that can significantly impact various aspects of everyday life.