The TechStars Network: First National Startup Accelerator Network

Jen Consalvo January 31, 2011 Tweet

“Over the next 3 years, the TechStars Network will ensure that 5,000 successful and experienced entrepreneurs and investors will mentor and support 6,000 promising young entrepreneurs, increasing their success rate tenfold and creating 25,000 new jobs by 2015 and a sustained engine for growing these figures over time.” – David Cohen Founder and CEO, TechStars

As Part of the White House StartUP America Program, startup accelerator TechStars is rolling out TechStars Network, “an alliance of independently owned and operated startup accelerator programs from dozens of cities across the United States and around the world.”

Based upon the mentorship-driven model pioneered by TechStars, these programs provide seed funding and mentorship to innovative entrepreneurs. The TechStars Network connects these organizations and provides best practices, professional development, networking opportunities and ongoing support for member organizations.

The TechStars Network will be part of The StartUP America Partnership, launched earlier today by President Obama. In partnership with the White House, the goal of the TechStars Network is to become an engine for job growth by ensuring that over the next four years, 5,000 experienced business leaders and investors will mentor and support 6,000 promising young entrepreneurs. The aim is to increase the success rate and sustainability of each program, and to ultimately create 25,000 new economy jobs by 2015.

“We’ve been flattered by more than one hundred organizations who have contacted us hoping to learn from our experiences at TechStars. We’ve always tried to be responsive and have helped many get started,” said David Cohen, founder and CEO of TechStars. “The TechStars Network signals and formalizes our support for other credible mentorship-driven programs. We believe the proliferation of the mentorship-driven accelerator model is healthy for entrepreneurs. Through this network of independent organizations, we can help increase their impact dramatically and make entrepreneurial communities the real winners.”

“At Tech Wildcatters, we believe collaboration across boundaries builds stronger communities. The TechStars Network will be the catalyst for a nationwide startup ecosystem, something our country desperately needs. With TechStars Network’s rich set of strategic resources, we will build stronger companies faster that are better able to compete globally,” said Gabriella Draney, co-founder of Tech Wildcatters, a TechStars Network member based in Dallas, Texas.

Currently there are 16 invitation-only TechStars Network member organizations in major cities across the United States and around the world. Today the network is open to all entrepreneurial thought leaders and organizations interested in building or enhancing mentorship-driven startup accelerator programs.

Some of the TechStars Network launch partners include Alphalab, Arizona State University, Betaspring, Excelerate, Springboard and others.