Techstars acquires UP Global, expands KC footprint
June 16, 2015 | Bobby Burch
The global business accelerator firm that operates the Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator announced a major acquisition Tuesday that will expand its reach in Kansas City.
Boulder-based Techstars reported Tuesday morning that it acquired UP Global, an international non-profit that fosters entrepreneurship with a variety of events and programs around the world. UP Global operates the bi-annual Startup Weekend and Startup Digest in Kansas City. Techstars’ acquisition of UP Global further extends the organization’s footprint into Kansas City after it entered the City of Fountains with the Sprint Accelerator in 2014.
Techstars president David Brown said in an announcement that his organization and UP Global have worked together since 2007. UP Global’s “Startup Weekend” was born out of the Techstars’ Boulder headquarters, he said, and it served as the first community event for the accelerator’s inaugural class to mingle and acquaint themselves.
“By joining forces with UP Global, Techstars can continue to accelerate the pace of innovation by strengthening the path for entrepreneurs, providing better support for entrepreneurial communities, and helping to grow the worldwide entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Brown said. “We are committed to the lifelong impact that entrepreneurs have on the world, no matter where they choose to live. We believe this partnership is great news for entrepreneurs everywhere. Together, we will leverage each other’s areas of expertise and combine resources to provide more sustainable support for communities and the entrepreneurs within those communities.”
As part of the deal, Techstars has acquired UP Global’s Startup Weekend, Startup Week, Startup Next and Startup Digest programs, Brown said. The programs will immediately become part of Techstars, but will remain independent in their operations at a community level. While he expects the UP Global programs to continue similar operations, Brown expects an eventual expansion of the programs, as well as Techstars’ existing accelerator programs.
UP Global CEO Marc Nager will continue in his role as leader of the UP Community as Chief Community Officer, and will lead most UP employees, including its IT, marketing and finance teams.
A longstanding partner of UP Global, Google for Entrepreneurs will continue to work with Techstars on its Startup Weekend and Startup Next programs. Techstars also announced that fees previously associated with Startup Next, UP Global’s pre-accelerator program, have been eliminated, allowing more entrepreneurs to tap resources to help them scale.
Featured Business
2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Porter House KC earns $400K in renewed support for inclusive entrepreneurship, retail incubator
Support from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation is expected to help The Porter House KC make good on its founders’ promise to help emerging entrepreneurs in their community get their promising ventures off the ground, said Dan Smith. “Like many of the small business owners that we encounter, we started our organization based on a need…
Black Pantry expands to Troost, setting a cornerstone for new Black business hub
A second location for the Black Pantry is about more than adding a “cool little gift shop” to Troost, said Brian Roberts, detailing his plan for a broader mission: a whole block of Black-owned businesses and a hub for Black entrepreneurs and creatives. It begins with Roberts’ in-the-works standalone space at 3108 Troost Ave., he…
‘Why would you put that on a cake?’ The C Word Cakery frosts the boundaries of good taste
The C Word Cakery is a reflection of the baker behind the business, Savannah Brady shared. “It doesn’t take itself too seriously,” she explained. Brady — a southwest Missouri native who moved to Kansas City during the pandemic — specializes in, as she puts it, “good cake, bad words” — vintage-looking, classic, floral cakes that…
CRWND as a KC pitch contest winner, Keliah Smith expands her product line (and comfort zone)
Keliah Smith was nervous. She’d never been a fan of speaking in front of a crowd, but knew exposing her discomfort and weakness through the Alchemy Sandbox pitch competition was just part of the ongoing journey of an entrepreneur, she said. Avoiding that spotlight, Smith noted, already had kept her — and her business, CRWND…