Document: Techstars raising a $400M startup fund
November 28, 2017 | Startland News Staff
Accelerator and investment firm Techstars is working to raise a massive new fund to boost portfolio startups around the world.
Techstars — which operates an accelerator program in Kansas City — is now raising a $400 million fund, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund more than doubles Techstars Ventures’ $150 million fund from 2015. Techstars CEO David Cohen and Techstars partners Mark Solon and Jason Seats are all listed as fund directors, according to the filing.
The $400 million pooled investment fund should allow the venture group to make larger investments in more established ventures. Techstars has helped spark more than 1,100 companies with a collective valuation of more than $10 billion, according to the company’s data.
Based in Boulder, Colorado, Techstars operates 34 accelerators across the globe that help launch more than 300 startups each year. In exchange for 6 percent equity, Techstars startups receive $120,000, participation in the three-month accelerator program, as well as access to a global network of mentors.
In Kansas City, the firm has helped launch 40 ventures through the 2014 – 2016 Sprint Accelerator powered by Techstars and the 2017 Techstars Kansas City classes. Check out Techstars’ latest Kansas City class here.

2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Tough Chiefs loss propels Kansas City artist to launch winning business
Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by AltCap, an ally to underestimated entrepreneurs that offers financing to businesses and communities that traditional lenders do not serve. The Kansas City Chiefs came up one win short of entering the Super Bowl when they lost by a field goal to the Cincinnati Bengals in January…
Candidates: Unchecked property crime against businesses driven by prosecutor’s failure to hold offenders accountable
Melesa Johnson, Tracey Chappell share their solutions for combatting recent uptick in break-ins at Kansas City businesses Editor’s note: Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker is not seeking re-election, so it’s an open race for her countywide seat. Democrat Melesa Johnson and Republican Tracey Chappell are running in the 2024 general election with a vote…
A simple sauce passed down six generations is headed to your table; Lenexa man says that’s his family’s great legacy
Jack Williams’ dream of seeing his great-grandmother’s picture in every grocery store across the country is one step closer to reality as the Lenexa entrepreneur’s jars of Grandma Morrelli’s pasta sauce — emblazoned with her photo — hit Kansas City shelves. “I’m trying to honor her and family traditions,” he said, describing how the venture…
Here’s how a new data dashboard could help KCMO redirect funds to small businesses
A new data dashboard built to better understand Kansas City’s business needs — and guide the city’s response — is not only revolutionary for the metro, said Nia Richardson, it could be the first of its kind, period. Small business advocates already are calling it a win. “I don’t know of any other city or playbook…
