Y Combinator is a startup accelerator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2005. It has pioneered a new funding model for early-stage startups by investing a modest amount of capital, typically around $150,000, in a large number of companies twice a year. Over a three-month program, Y Combinator collaborates closely with these startups to prepare them for investor pitches and enhance their business strategies. Each funding cycle concludes with Demo Day, where startups present to an exclusive audience of investors. Y Combinator focuses on various sectors, including business software, education, healthcare, and financial technology, among others. In addition to initial funding, it offers ongoing support through its extensive alumni network. Since its inception, Y Combinator has funded over 630 startups, contributing significantly to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Silicon Valley and beyond.

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.

Foresight Group is an independent alternative asset manager based in London, United Kingdom, with over 30 years of experience in infrastructure and private equity investment. The firm specializes in environmental and solar infrastructure, managing more than £2.2 billion in assets on behalf of a diverse range of clients, including private individuals, family offices, pension funds, and institutional investors. Foresight offers various investment products, such as Listed Vehicles, Limited Partnerships, Venture Capital Trusts, and Enterprise Investment Schemes. Its investment strategy focuses on growth-stage companies across multiple sectors, including renewable energy, technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, with a commitment to sustainable economic and social development. Foresight operates internationally, with offices located in the UK, USA, Italy, and Australia, and aims to generate long-term capital appreciation and increasing dividends for its investors.

Antler is a global early-stage venture capital firm founded in Singapore in 2017, focused on investing in technology companies with significant growth potential. With a presence across six continents and major entrepreneurial hubs such as London, New York, Singapore, and Sydney, Antler has supported the establishment of over 200 startups, 40% of which have at least one female co-founder. The firm identifies exceptional individuals and early-stage businesses, providing comprehensive support from team formation and business model validation to capital investment. Antler invests primarily at the pre-seed stage and continues to engage with its portfolio companies through subsequent funding rounds, including Series C. The firm operates several funds, including those targeting specific regions like East Africa, while maintaining a commitment to fostering diverse founding teams representing 70 nationalities. Through its global platform, Antler aims to help founders build impactful startups that can define the future of technology.

Truist is a financial services provider that offers a range of philanthropic solutions aimed at helping corporations and nonprofit organizations engage effectively with their donors and volunteers. The Truist Foundation works to inspire and enhance the quality of lives and communities through various initiatives. Additionally, Truist Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Truist Financial, emphasizes economic empowerment for minority and underserved communities, as well as promoting racial equity within financial services. Established in 2018, Truist Ventures combines investments in technology companies from the former SunTrust brand with those of BB&T Ventures, reflecting a commitment to social impact and innovation.

Citi Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that focuses on addressing social challenges through financial services and products. It operates an Impact Investment Fund with a commitment of $200 million, which is used to make equity investments in U.S.-based private sector companies. These companies are selected for their innovative approaches to tackling pressing societal issues while achieving both social and financial returns. Additionally, Citi Foundation supports affordable housing projects, commercial developments, and community facilities aimed at benefiting low-income neighborhoods and populations. Through these initiatives, the foundation seeks to foster economic growth and improve the quality of life in underserved communities.

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is a global investment firm that manages a diverse range of alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and hedge funds through strategic partnerships. Founded in 1976 by Jerome Kohlberg, Jr., Henry Kravis, and George R. Roberts, the firm has completed numerous notable transactions, including the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco and TXU. KKR employs a disciplined investment approach aimed at generating attractive returns for its fund investors while investing its own capital alongside that of its clients. The firm's extensive operations span 21 cities across 16 countries, with its headquarters currently located in New York. KKR also offers comprehensive human resources services, further diversifying its business capabilities.

MASSACHUSETTS CAPITAL RESOURCE COMPANY was established in 1977 as a limited partnership privately owned and funded by Massachusetts-based life insurance companies. The Company’s mission was to create a source of risk capital to fill the senior debt to equity funding “gap” experienced by growing companies. Their investment activity complements, rather than competes with, the financing provided by senior lenders and equity investors. Mass. Capital provides higher risk growth and acquisition capital to manufacturing, distribution, service and technology companies. They focus on emerging growth and middle market companies with operations in Massachusetts. Their investments are structured to fit the specific needs of portfolio companies and to complement funding available from senior lenders and equity investors.

leading global alternative asset manager

Incubate Fund is a venture capital firm established in 2010 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with an additional office in Singapore. The firm specializes in seed, startup, and early-stage investments across various sectors, including media, entertainment, gaming, online commerce, logistics, medical, financial, real estate, and housing. It primarily targets mobile, social, and web services with the potential for global expansion, focusing its investments in North America, Japan, and Asia. Incubate Fund India, a subsidiary founded in 2016 and based in Bengaluru, India, concentrates on pre-seed and seed-stage startups, co-managing investments with its parent firm. The typical investment range for the firm is between $200,000 and $3 million, providing capital and support to emerging technology entrepreneurs.