techstars boulder webinar - aug 2016
TRANSCRIPT
Webinar to learn more about Techstars
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
Natty Zola Managing Director
Julie Penner Director
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
1. Why should I do Techstars?
2. What am I giving up?
3. Does Techstars really work?
4. What’s special about Boulder?
5. What is the timing of the program and what is a typical day?
6. Do I have to live in Boulder?
7. What does Techstars look for and how can I standout?
8. What isn’t Techstars?
9. What should I do next?
Agenda:
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
Techstars is a
global ecosystem that
helps entrepreneurs
build great businesses
Why should I do Techstars?
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
Startup Programs Accelerators
Venture Capital
City Programs
Corporate Programs
Atlanta
Austin
Berlin
Boulder
Boston
Chicago
London
NYC
Seattle
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
Mentorship
Network
Capital
Credibility
Why should I do Techstars?
Meta skills
Focused Environment
Peers & Support
Perks ($2M+)
#1 Accelerator rated by Founders
#1 Startup Program in the Industry
Giving entrepreneurs an unfair advantage
Techstars City Programs Corporate Partner Programs
Atlanta Kansas City
22 offices
600+ cities
130 countries
7000 mentors, investors
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
6% common stock to participate
Equity Back Guarantee
In addition to the program, we give you…
$20k for living expenses
$100k convertible note (optional, not part of the 6%)
What am I giving up?
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
Does Techstars really work?
800+ companies
90% active or acquired
$2.5B raised
$6B+ market cap
Does Techstars really work?
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
What’s special about Boulder?
10 programs (10 yrs)
110 companies
1% acceptance rate
$500M+ raised
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
Program Companies Capital Raised % Alive/Acq.2007 10 $4.5M 60%2008 10 $31.8M 60%2009 10 $64.1M 80%2010 11 $127.1M 82%2011 12 $85.2M 75%2012 12 $157.7M 75%2013 11 $27.9M 90%2014 13 $22.6M 85%2015 10 $8.4M 100%2016 11 $3.5M 100%
10 years in Boulder
What’s special about Boulder?
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
What’s special about Boulder?
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
#1 Best Cities For Starting A Business http://www.forbes.com/pictures/fhgg45jmlm/no-1-boulder-colorado/#26871b81b2da
How Boulder Became America's Startup Capitalhttp://www.inc.com/magazine/201312/boulder-colorado-fast-growing-business.html
Why You Should Start a Company in... Boulderhttp://www.fastcompany.com/1446569/why-you-should-start-company-boulder
25 Cities Worth Moving to If You Want to Launch a Business, #2https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/249735
#1 Best Places to Start a Businesshttps://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/small-business/best-places-to-start-business-2015/
Why Boulder Is America's Best Town for Startupshttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-04-22/why-boulder-is-americas-best-town-for-startupsbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice
What’s special about Boulder?
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
Amazing mentors
What’s special about Boulder?
Founders gave this program a NPS score of 75
Highly rated by companies
Awesome team to help you
Largest Techstars Demo Day
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
• 3 months in Boulder, CO
• Jan - Apr 2017
• 10-12 startups from around the world
• $120,000 investment per startup
The Basics
What is the timing of the program and what is a typical day?
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
Month 1: Mentorship
Month 2: Traction
Month 3: Story
What is the timing of the program and what is a typical day?
Rhythm to calendar - not over scheduled
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
It’s your company
What is the timing of the program and what is a typical day?
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
Yes
Do I have to live in Boulder?
…for the three months (at least ;)
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
What does Techstars look for and how can I standout?
Stage Agnostic
• Teams of 2 to 20+
• Pre-product, pre-revenue to $millions in revenue
• Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Typical company: team of 2-4 founders with
$750k raise
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
What does Techstars look for and how can I standout?
Software Focus
• Use technology to scale rapidly
• Emphasis on pure software but also love
connected hardware
• Boulder is industry agnostic
• B2B, B2C, marketplaces, dev tools, etc.
Team Team Team
Market Progress Idea
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
• Have an authentic team video
• Clear & understandable product video
• Complete every section succinctly
• Apply early
What does Techstars look for and how can I standout?
Application Tips
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
• Guaranteed further investment
• Guaranteed access to network
• For you if you aren't up for hard work and candid
feedback
• For you if you’re uncomfortable opening up
What isn’t Techstars?
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
What should I do next?
Oct 1
Early Oct
Oct 15
Oct 15-31
Nov 1 -15
Nov 30
Jan 23
Apr 19
Early Application Deadline
Early Interviews
Applications Due
Interviews
Final Interviews
Notification
Program Start
Demo Day
Key Dates
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
Engage with us
Lines not dots
What should I do next?
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
techstars.com/apply
Select Boulder first if you want
20+ other programs too
nattyz.com
#TSBoulder
What should I do next?
@NattyZ#TSBoulder
• Can single founders apply?
• Does the entire team need to
participate?
• Will you help me find housing?
• How much traction do I need?
• Am I too early?
• Am I too late?
• What’s the frequency of the program?
• What happens post program?FA
Q