Applications are closed for 2009

Applications for our 2009 programs have now closed.

All I can say is “wow”. We’ve got a ton of work to do!  We received 527 applications for TechStars this year, up 34% from last year. Amazingly, over 35% of the applications were received in the final two days.

Thank you to everyone who applied for this years programs in Boulder and Boston. Many of you have flooded us with updates after applying (hey, we asked for it) and we apologize if we can’t personally respond to every message, even though we try to do so. Please know that we’re reading them all.

The next critical milestone is on March 28th, when we’ll have the unfortunate job of notifying about 475 companies that they’re not in the finalist group this year. It’s always an enormous challenge to whittle this down to so few finalists. If your company doesn’t make the finalist cut, please keep in mind that we like to say that this isn’t rejection so much as it is non-selection.

Good luck to everyone who applied!

Laughs and Fun at TS4AD in Boston

We just wrapped up our first event here in the new office in Cambridge. About 100 applicants showed up here and just like in Boulder last week, the place was jammed.

We kicked off with a discussion of TechStars and walked through how it works, what it’s like to participate, and what the benefits are. We entertained dozens of questions focused around how our mentorship-driven model works. Brad Feld led a discussion about the entrepreneurial scene here in Boston, and the natural evolution and cycles that have happened here in the last 20 or so years. Many of the Boston based mentors were around and they got involved by adding color to the discussion.

As in past TS4AD events, of the highlights was when several of last years founders showed up and entertained questions from the applicants for nearly two hours. Ignighter, Travelfli, and App-X were simultaneously wildly entertaining (judging by the consistent laughter they generated) and thoroughly informative. We always consciously stay completely out of this part of the discussion so that the applicants get only direct insights and experiences from the past founders. It’s always fun to hear their perspectives and think back on such good times.

The goal of TechStars For A Day is to facilitate a two-way interview. We’re not just picking startups – They’re picking us too.  By attending TechStars For A Day, founders get to understand the vibe, approach, and overall style of TechStars. Sure, we’re learning more about them too, but we know that it has to be a fit in both directions.

The mentors came out in force today in Boston, and I sensed a real hunger and enormous excitement about getting started there this year. It was truly a blast meeting all these interesting companies on one day.  As always, it’s going to be tough to narrow the field down this year.

Thanks to everyone who was able to make it to the event today.  Applications for TechStars remain open until March 21st.

Vator profiles Ignighter

Bambi Francisco has a nice video segment (embedded below) up on Vator.tv about Ignighter, one of the TechStars companies from 2008. Richard Jalichandra (CEO of Technorati) and Ezra Roizen (digital media investment banker) review the site and hit on some great points that I remember debating last summer with Adam, Dan, Kevin and many of the mentors.

On thing is for sure – they got this part right: “Hands down, this is one of the funniest video presentations on Vator. It’s amusing; it’s engaging; it tells the story; and it’s in a “group” format. It’s very appropriate. What doesn’t this team do together?”

Answer: not much. These guys live it.

 
Check out Ignighter.com for a safer, less awkward, and more fun dating experience.

Boston For A Day, anyone?

Founders from the past two years field questions from applicants

Earlier this week, we hosted TechStars For A Day in Boulder. About 100 applicants were able to attend, and we had a great lineup. It was fantastic meeting everyone and learning more about what they were up to as well.

On Tuesday, we have a similar event coming up in Boston.  We’ll be unveiling our new Cambridge offices for the first time. So far, nearly 60 applicants have confirmed attendance. In order to potentially receive an invitation, you must turn your application in no later than Saturday, March 7th.  If you haven’t received an invitation yet and were hoping to, please read this.

Here are some more photos from the Boulder event this past week.