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.

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.

Enhanced Capital Partners, founded in 1999 and headquartered in New York, is a national investment firm that specializes in equity and debt investments in small and mid-sized companies across the United States. With over $400 million under management, the firm employs a flexible investment strategy aimed at promoting the growth and expansion of businesses. Enhanced Capital focuses on various sectors, including healthcare technology and technology, media, and telecommunications. As a subsidiary of P10 Holdings, it seeks to maximize the growth potential of companies poised for rapid development through its practical investment approach.

Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm established in 1974, specializing in seed, development stage, and start-up investments. The firm focuses primarily on the Japanese market, investing in sectors such as healthcare, biotechnology, information technology, electronics, and high technology. Mitsubishi UFJ Capital actively participates in investment syndications for Japanese investments and aims to support companies with relevance to the Japanese market. The firm operates additional offices in Osaka and Nagoya, enhancing its reach within Japan. It manages several venture capital funds, including those targeting drug discovery and life sciences.

East Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2009, with offices in Singapore, Tokyo, and Jakarta. The firm specializes in seed, early-stage, and Series A investments, focusing on technology and consumer sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, and education technology, primarily in Southeast Asia. East Ventures has supported over 170 companies across the region, with notable investments in Indonesia's unicorns such as Tokopedia and Traveloka. The firm typically invests between $0.1 million and $0.5 million and has been recognized for its consistent performance, being named the most active investor in Southeast Asia. In 2018, it launched a joint venture called EV Growth, aimed at providing growth capital to startups throughout Southeast Asia. East Ventures continues to play a significant role in nurturing the startup ecosystem in the region.

Business Growth Fund is an influential investor in small and mid-sized businesses. It was set up in 2011 to offer growing companies and ambitious entrepreneurs patient capital and strategic support. With 14 offices, they are close and relevant to the businesses they invest in. They have grown to a team of 150+ and a network that’s made up of one of the largest pools of board-level executives. Collectively, the companies in their portfolio employ close to 50,000 people. They want to see more entrepreneurs using their capital not only to scale-up their own business but also, collectively, to drive economic activity and with it increase employment, exports, and growth.

Global Brain is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm founded in 1998, specializing in early-stage investments across various sectors, including e-commerce, software, gaming, media, IoT, education, entertainment, and fintech. The firm has expanded its investment activities to the US and Asia, targeting series A-stage technology companies. Since its inception, Global Brain has invested in approximately 30 companies, achieving seven initial public offerings and seven mergers and acquisitions. The firm supports its portfolio companies by providing not only capital but also strategic guidance, partnerships, and team-building resources to help them reach their milestones. Global Brain is particularly adept in e-commerce, operating a platform called EC-PLANET, which encompasses several group companies, including a large online sports goods store and a logistics firm offering comprehensive fulfillment services. This network, along with Global Brain's connections to established Japanese companies, facilitates market entry for US and Asian businesses into Japan.

SMBC Venture Capital Co., Ltd. is the private equity and venture capital division of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, focusing on growth capital and buyout investments. Established in 2005 and headquartered in Tokyo, with an additional office in Osaka, the firm invests across various sectors, including information technology, life sciences, services, and manufacturing. By leveraging its parent company's extensive financial services background, SMBC Venture Capital aims to support the development of innovative companies and foster growth within diverse industries.

500 Global, formerly known as 500 Startups, is a venture capital firm and incubator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in seed investments, primarily focusing on early-stage technology and financial services startups across various sectors, including biotech, e-commerce, fintech, and digital healthcare. 500 Global operates a four-month accelerator program, where it typically invests between $0.05 million and $1 million for a 5 to 10 percent equity stake in companies with at least $100,000 in monthly revenue. The firm targets a global market, with particular emphasis on regions such as the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Since its inception, it has invested in over 2,200 startups and supports the growth of innovation ecosystems through educational programs and partnerships. 500 Global also prioritizes investments in companies led by minority founders, reflecting its commitment to diverse entrepreneurial leadership.

Plug and Play, founded in 2006 and based in Sunnyvale, California, operates as a business accelerator and venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage and seed investments in technology startups. The firm runs 12 industry-specific accelerator programs annually, connecting startups with corporate partners and investors to foster collaboration and growth. Plug and Play's investment strategy encompasses a wide range of sectors, including fintech, health and wellness, travel, cybersecurity, and sustainability, allowing it to support diverse startups from any country. The firm provides various resources, including funding, mentorship, office space, and networking opportunities, and has a global presence with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Plug and Play has a strong track record, having helped numerous startups secure over $9 billion in funding since its inception. Its programs aim to refine business models and facilitate introductions to potential investors, ultimately contributing to the growth of the startup ecosystem.