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.

China Culture Industrial Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd. is a principal investment firm located in Beijing, China, primarily focused on the cultural industry. As the only state-level cultural industry investment fund, it plays a significant role in advancing the development of China's cultural sector, aligning with the goals set by the Party Central Committee and the State Council. The fund aims to attract social capital into the cultural industries, thereby enhancing investment and financing mechanisms. Established in 2009, the firm manages investments in various areas, including news publishing, media, cultural arts, cultural technology, and leisure activities. It is jointly established by several organizations, including state-owned enterprises, and operates under principles of standardized management and sound financial practices. The management's objective is to provide market-oriented investment services to foster the growth of China's cultural landscape.

General Atlantic Service Company, L.P. is a global growth equity firm that specializes in making significant minority investments in growth-oriented companies. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in New York, the firm operates additional offices across major global cities, including Beijing, London, and Singapore. General Atlantic focuses on various sectors, including computer software and services, technology, consumer, financial services, and healthcare. The firm emphasizes a collaborative approach, leveraging sector-specific expertise and a long-term investment horizon to support entrepreneurs and management teams in building exceptional businesses. With a team of over 100 investment professionals, General Atlantic is committed to driving growth and delivering strategic support to its portfolio companies worldwide.

Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983 and based in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in San Francisco, London, and Bangalore. The firm specializes in early and growth-stage investments, focusing on technology sectors such as software, big data, cloud technologies, fintech, healthcare, and digital media. Accel is known for backing innovative entrepreneurs and has a history of investing in notable companies including Facebook, Dropbox, and Spotify. With over three decades of experience, Accel employs dedicated teams that utilize market-specific strategies to identify and support the next generation of industry leaders. The firm manages approximately $9.6 billion and carries out investments typically ranging from $5 million to $15 million, aiming to foster the development of world-class, category-defining businesses globally.

Vivendi is a French multinational company, founded in 1981 and based in Paris, that specializes in producing and distributing motion pictures, television films, and music. The company operates primarily in the entertainment and telecommunications sectors, providing a range of media services. In addition to its core business, Vivendi has a corporate social responsibility initiative called the Vivendi Create Joy Fund, which supports non-governmental organizations and charities aimed at helping at-risk teenagers and young people in need. This program funds over 30 projects annually, focusing on empowering youth to reach their full potential through engagement with the arts and communication. Vivendi's efforts extend across various regions, including the United States, Europe, Africa, and Brazil, reflecting its commitment to social impact alongside its business operations.

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.

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.

Advancit Capital is an early-stage investment firm established in 2011, with headquarters in Massachusetts and an additional office in New York. The firm specializes in investing in media, entertainment, and technology companies, focusing on forming long-term partnerships with dedicated entrepreneurs. By leveraging its strategic and industry expertise, Advancit Capital aims to provide valuable resources to support companies during critical growth stages.

North Base Media is an investment firm focused on journalistic enterprise and digital-driven opportunities in emerging markets. North Base creates value by bringing top-level international media expertise and capital to invested companies that will benefit from the deep knowledge, reputation and extensive connections of North Base’s partners. NBM focuses on both early- and mid-stage companies that show promise in key emerging markets. The portfolio companies, in turn, will benefit from being properly capitalized to pursue growth opportunities, by getting access to unique digital, media and journalistic know-how, and by being able to tap one another's expertise. NBM specializes in independently owned media or technologies that enable consumers to participate in their countries’ civic, cultural and economic life and that aim to be essential to key audiences in their markets. North Base is not aligned with governments, political causes or forces in the countries where it operates.

5Y Capital is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Shanghai, China, specializing in seed, startup, early venture, and growth capital investments. Established in 1992, the firm focuses on a diverse range of sectors, including healthcare, technology, fintech, internet services, consumer services, media, and life sciences, among others. It aims to support entrepreneurs in building innovative companies, particularly in China and other emerging markets in Asia/Pacific. Managing approximately USD 5 billion in dual-currency funds, 5Y Capital attracts investments from global sources, including sovereign wealth funds and family offices. The firm typically makes initial investments exceeding USD 500,000 per portfolio company. 5Y Capital operates under the Morningside Group, which is committed to socially responsible investing, particularly in educational opportunities and scientific research.