TechStars is
a mentorship-driven investment program in Boulder and Boston. They fund
20 new startups every year from over 600 that apply, and have been
operating for 3 years now in Boulder and one year in Boston. TechStars
is like a "boot camp" for those companies highlighted by some amazing mentors. Somehow they let me on that list and
went to both Boulder and Boston this summer to help these companies,
and had a blast doing so. TechStars companies have achieved some
notable exists such as Intense Debate (to Automattic/Wordpress),
Socialthing (to AOL), and Brightkite (to Limbo).
Every
year, the TechStars companies get together for a reunion in a different
city. This year, I'm excited to tell you that it's happening here in
Seattle! As part of the reunion, TechStars reserves a part of one
afternoon to have some of their companies that are still raising money
pitch investors. About 75% of the companies that come out of TechStars
have been angel or ventured backed historically, so this is a great
chance to see some interesting early stage companies and to check out
what TechStars is all about. In addition to the company presentations,
there is a panel on angel and venture investment trends that I'm on
along with Brad Feld (co-founder of TechStars and Managing Director of
The Foundry Group), Greg Gottesman (Madrona), Stephen Hall (Vulcan
Capital), David Cohen
(co-founder of TechStars and angel investor), and Chris Sheehan (runs
CommonAngels in Boston). I'm really looking forward to it and if you're
a Seattle area VC or angel investor that is interested in attending,
please contact me and I'll get you an invitation.
