Techstars runs this part-time virtual pre-accelerator for early-stage founders connected to partner communities in Omaha, Sarajevo, Istanbul, Uzbekistan, and Belfast. The 10-week program supports founders who are moving beyond an idea toward product development, validation, or growth.
Participants work remotely on their company story, business model, product-market fit, go-to-market strategy, and readiness for future growth or funding. No relocation or travel is required.
Benefits & funding
- The program is free and takes no equity; it does not provide an investment.
- Participants receive live masterclasses, tailored workshops, founder fireside chats, strategic partner sessions, and access to tools, credits, and other resources.
- Techstars mentors, operators, investors, and alumni provide personalized one-to-one guidance and pitch feedback.
- The expected commitment is up to 8–12 hours per week for 10 weeks.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be building a for-profit company; nonprofit organizations are not eligible.
- Founders must currently be building in or come from Omaha, Sarajevo, Istanbul, Uzbekistan, or Belfast. This is a community-affiliation requirement, not a nationality requirement.
- Solo founders and founding teams may apply across all sectors.
- Companies may be pre-revenue or post-revenue. A launched company should have recurring monthly revenue of no more than approximately $5K.
- The startup must have progressed beyond ideation toward a product, validation, or growth and must have raised no more than $400K in external funding.
- Applicants need reliable internet access, at least one English-speaking team member, and the ability to attend the program sessions and final showcase. They must also complete due diligence and follow the Techstars Code of Conduct.
- Techstars cannot accept founders doing business in Russia, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, or the Crimea, Donetsk, or Luhansk regions of Ukraine.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Review the partner-community, company-stage, revenue, funding, and participation requirements on the official program page.
- 2Select Apply Now on the program page and sign in to the Techstars application portal.
- 3Complete and submit the online application by August 21, 2026.
- 4If invited, participate in the interview stage used in Techstars evaluation.
Program timeline
Applications opened
June 29, 2026
Application deadline
August 21, 2026
Program starts
September 22, 2026
Ten-week program ends
November 27, 2026
Program showcase
December 3, 2026