[PreMoney SF 2016] David Cohen, Dave McClure: "Gettin' Outside the Valley With TechStars"

TL;DR

Tech Stars, founded by David Cohen and Brad Feld, has become a global accelerator network that works with corporate entities and invests in startups around the world. They have successful investments in companies like Uber and SendGrid.

Transcript

so David may give people a little background you and Brad started Brad Feld excuse me started Tech Stars 10 years ago roughly just just about 10 years ago thanks for this awesome absolutely and you've been one of my role models I think you guys uh in addition to one other uh nameless uh incubator uh gave us a lot of inspiration and ideas for how to... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍💻 Tech Stars has built a global network of accelerator programs and partnerships with corporate entities, expanding investment opportunities for startups worldwide.
• 💪 They believe in creating a global ecosystem of mentorship and support for entrepreneurs and are focused on building strong startup ecosystems in various cities.
• 🧡 Tech Stars invests in a diverse range of startups and focuses on specific verticals through their corporate partnerships.
• ❓ They have had successful investments in companies like Uber, SendGrid, Twilio, and ClassPass, among others.
• 🏃 Tech Stars' approach to investing includes running accelerator programs, organizing Startup Weekend events, and providing venture capital funding through their network.
• 🏛️ They believe that great companies can be built anywhere, not just in Silicon Valley, and are focused on creating bridges between different startup ecosystems.
• 🪜 Their partnerships with corporate entities bring added value to startups through access to networks, funding, distribution channels, and IP.
• 🗯️ Tech Stars aims to educate corporate partners on the importance of giving first and being helpful to startups rather than solely focusing on gaining rights or acquisition opportunities.
• 🏙️ They see potential in cities like Berlin, London, and Los Angeles as vibrant startup ecosystems outside of Silicon Valley.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Tech Stars' approach to investing and supporting startups globally?

Tech Stars runs accelerator programs in various locations, partnering with corporate entities to provide investment opportunities and mentorship for startups. They also organize Startup Weekend events to encourage entrepreneurship. Additionally, they offer venture capital funding through their network.

Q: Can you provide examples of successful investments made by Tech Stars?

Tech Stars has been early investors in companies like Uber and SendGrid. They have also invested in companies like Twilio and ClassPass, which have seen significant growth and may be heading towards an IPO.

Q: Why did Tech Stars choose to start outside of Silicon Valley?

Tech Stars was founded in Boulder, Colorado, because that's where its founders, David Cohen and Brad Feld, lived. They wanted to create a better ecosystem in Boulder and eventually expanded to other locations. They believe that great companies can be built anywhere and focus on creating a global network of mentorship and support for entrepreneurs.

Q: How does Tech Stars work with corporate entities and what value do they bring to startups?

Tech Stars partners with corporate entities, such as Barclays and Virgin, to run accelerator programs focused on specific verticals. These corporate partners provide funding, mentorship, and access to their networks, helping startups with distribution, IP, and customer channels. The goal is to teach corporations how to work with startups in a mutually beneficial way.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Tech Stars has been operating for 10 years and has expanded globally, running 25 accelerator programs in various locations, including the US and Europe.

• They work closely with corporate strategics to expand investment opportunities and focus on interesting verticals.

• Tech Stars also organizes Startup Weekend events to inspire individuals towards entrepreneurship and offers venture capital funding through their network.