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.

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.

Owl Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2014 and based in California, specializing in investments in education technology companies. The firm focuses on a broad range of educational sectors, including early childhood, K-12, higher education, and career mobility. With over $600 million in assets under management, Owl Ventures has invested in 24 companies, leveraging its extensive domain expertise to support entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses into industry leaders. The firm takes an active, hands-on approach to help drive innovation and entrepreneurship within the education technology landscape.

Sequoia Capital is a prominent venture capital firm founded in 1972 and based in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in investing across various stages of startups, including seed, early, and growth stages, and focuses on sectors such as technology, healthcare, financial services, internet, and mobile. Sequoia typically invests between $100,000 and $1 million in seed companies, $1 million to $10 million in early-stage ventures, and $10 million to $100 million in growth investments. The firm operates globally, with significant activities in regions like Israel, China, and India, where it partners with dynamic founders to build successful companies. Sequoia's extensive portfolio includes notable firms and offers valuable insights and resources, benefiting from decades of experience in the venture capital landscape.

Reach Capital is a Palo Alto-based venture capital firm established in 2015 that focuses on early-stage investments in the education technology sector. The firm targets startups developing technology solutions for various educational challenges, including early childhood, K-12, higher education, and lifelong learning. Reach Capital prefers to invest between $100,000 and $500,000 in seed rounds and $1 million or more in Series A or B rounds, typically acquiring stakes of 3% to 5% in seed investments and 8% to 10% in later-stage funding. By supporting promising entrepreneurs, Reach Capital aims to enhance educational opportunities for all children and acts as a catalyst to attract additional investment in the rapidly growing ed-tech market. The firm explicitly avoids investments in wearable devices and related applications for schools.

GSV SL is a buyout fund managed by GSV Ventures, which is based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 2016, GSV Ventures focuses on the digital education market, investing in companies that span the educational spectrum from Pre-K to adult learners. The firm is dedicated to supporting early and late-stage entrepreneurs who are reshaping the $7 trillion digital education and future of work sectors. Notable investments include companies such as Coursera, ClassDojo, Degreed, and Guild Education. In addition to its investment activities, GSV Ventures organizes the ASU+GSV Summit, a prominent event that attracts thousands of founders, investors, educators, and policymakers from around the globe.

Rethink Food is part of Rethink Capital Partners, a platform that develops impact investment vehicles targeting social and financial returns. The firm specializes in late Seed to Series C rounds and growth capital investments, focusing on companies led by women or those that prioritize gender diversity in leadership. Rethink Food aims to invest in technology-driven businesses that address critical challenges related to health, education, sustainability, and economic empowerment, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. With a preference for investments ranging from $2 million to $15 million in companies generating recurring revenues between $0.5 million and $15 million, Rethink Food seeks to foster systemic change through its support for entrepreneurs and tech platforms committed to creating a more inclusive economy. Established in 2016, Rethink Capital Partners operates from its headquarters in White Plains, New York, with additional offices in New York City and San Francisco.

Lean Capital, formerly known as Revolution Learning, is a venture capital and private equity firm established in 2008 and based in San Mateo, California, with additional offices in Austin, Texas, and Beijing, China. The firm specializes in early to mid-stage investments in the education technology sector, focusing on innovative learning content, platforms, and services. Lean Capital primarily targets companies that have developed or are in the process of commercializing innovative products in their home markets, particularly in emerging markets such as Latin America. The firm is dedicated to funding entrepreneurs who aim to enhance learning experiences through new technology platforms and applications, believing that advancements in education will play a crucial role in shaping the future.

LearnLaunch is dedicated to enhancing education by supporting the development and growth of education technology companies in New England. The organization provides a variety of resources, including classes, peer group learning, conferences, and networking opportunities, aimed at individuals and organizations engaged with educators, students, and families. One of its key initiatives, the LearnLaunch Accelerator, focuses on assisting early-stage EdTech entrepreneurs in successfully growing their startups through a three-month residential program in Boston. This program immerses founders in a community of like-minded professionals and offers mentoring, seed funding, and an EdTech-focused curriculum. The accelerator aims to advance product and market development, enabling entrepreneurs to secure necessary resources and effectively navigate the education industry.