Techstars Doubles Down on European Commitment With the Launch of Two New Accelerator Programs in Paris and Stockholm
14.9.2021 11:00:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed, announces the launch of two new accelerator programs in Paris and Stockholm. The launch showcases Techstars’ commitment to investing in startup talent in Europe, where it plans to invest in more than 100 startups in 2022 through its various accelerator programs in seven countries. Both programs will be fully funded by Techstars, following the recent July close of a new $150 million fund, intended to support more local entrepreneurs looking for global exposure.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210914005314/en/
A Techstars Accelerator Office (Photo: Business Wire)
The Paris Techstars Accelerator and Stockholm Techstars Accelerator will each accept 12 startups per class, who will benefit from up to $120k in funding alongside evergreen access to Techstars’ vast network of mentors, investors, alumni and corporate partners. The Paris accelerator will operate two classes per year, while Stockholm will run once in 2022 and twice per year from 2023 onwards. Applications for these accelerators open today and will close on 1 December 2021, with the first classes of both programs due to commence on 21 March 2022.
Applications will be accepted from startups across all high-growth sectors, both B2B and B2C, and successful applicants will have a strong founding team who are using technology to tackle complex problems, with a clear and scalable product-market fit.
The Paris and Stockholm Techstars Accelerator programs follow the recent appointment of French-born CEO, Maëlle Gavet, in January 2021. An experienced French entrepreneur and former executive at Compass and Booking.com, Gavet’s experience scaling companies across Europe will assist Techstars on its mission to help more entrepreneurs in more places transform the world through access to capital and a global network.
Techstars currently operates 47 accelerators in 33 cities and 12 countries around the world, and while it previously operated a Paris-based accelerator in partnership with corporate partners, the Stockholm Techstars Accelerator marks its first venture into Sweden as it eyes expansion opportunities across Europe. Since 2009 and 2010, the company has been actively supporting thousands of entrepreneurs in Paris and Stockholm, respectively, by hosting more than 90 Techstars Startup Weekend programs in both cities, in close collaboration with local ecosystem leaders. Additionally in Europe, Techstars operates programs in London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Oslo and Turin.
Since its inception in 2006, Techstars has invested in 2,589 companies, which today have a combined market capital valuation of $220.1 billion. It counts 15 unicorns among its accelerator graduates, including DigitalOcean, Chainalysis, PillPack and SendGrid. Techstars invests in approximately 500 startups and deploys approximately $130M per year, making it one of the largest investors in high-growth early-stage companies by volume in the world.
Maëlle Gavet, CEO of Techstars, said: “We believe in the power of local ecosystems and that life-changing ideas can come from anywhere in the world - you don’t need to be in Silicon Valley to be a success. At Techstars, we meet the founders where they are and use our local networks to give them access to world-class capital and investing opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. Paris and Stockholm are two of Europe’s most rapidly growing yet underserved tech hubs, and we know there is a huge amount of talent there ready to be harnessed.”
Applications to apply to the Paris Techstars Accelerator and Stockholm Techstars Accelerator are open now.
About Techstars
The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas—entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now we are on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, we do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities. Techstars has invested in more than 2,589 companies with a combined market cap of more than $220.1B. www.techstars.com
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210914005314/en/
Contact information
Ballou PR
Fiona Houston: +44 7935 105 338
Kelly Horn: +44 7767 649 727
Techstars
Jennifer Pakradooni: +1 305 772 3834
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Lapmaster Wolters and Precision Surfacing Solutions Secures Strategic Minority Investment from The Cynosure Group and Fernweh Group to Accelerate Growth8.10.2026 23:49:00 EEST | Press release
Lapmaster Wolters and Precision Surfacing Solutions (“Lapmaster Wolters”), a leading global supplier of high-precision machine systems and consumables to the semiconductor, advanced materials, precision optics, and advanced packaging industries, today announced the completion of a minority equity investment by affiliates of The Cynosure Group (“Cynosure”) and Fernweh Group (“Fernweh”). The investment strengthens the balance sheet and adds long-term, engaged partners to support the company’s next phase of growth. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261008141876/en/ Positioned for growth Demand for ultra-high-precision surface finishing continues to grow as customers in semiconductors, advanced materials, and precision optics push toward tighter tolerances and higher throughput. These tailwinds are further reinforced by sustained investment in semiconductor and advanced-packaging capacity, the expansion of AI and hi
Dubai Launches Global Create AI Agents Championship with Prize Pool Exceeding AED 2.5 Million8.10.2026 20:05:00 EEST | Press release
Dubai has launched the Create AI Agents Championship, a global competition inviting innovators to develop practical and scalable AI-agent solutions that address real-world challenges, with a total prize pool exceeding AED 2.5 million. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261008883373/en/ Dubai has launched the Create AI Agents Championship as part of its efforts to accelerate the adoption and development of Agentic AI (Photo: AETOSWire) The launch of the championship was announced by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, who encouraged innovators from around the world to participate. Led by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the championship aims to accelerate the adoption of Agentic AI and support the development of innovative AI-agent solutions with strong potential for
Seiden Law LLP issues statement: Prosecuted by Press Conference: Declared Guilty Without a Charge, Yim Leak Family Asks UN Human Rights Experts to Hold Thailand to Its Own Treaty Commitments8.10.2026 19:26:00 EEST | Press release
Seiden Law LLP, chief global counsel to Cambodian businessman Yim Leak, announced today that Jared Genser, international counsel to Mr. Yim and his wife, has asked two UN Special Rapporteurs to send an urgent appeal to the Thai government. The request is made on behalf of the couple and their seven-year-old son. It says Thailand violated its international human rights commitments by announcing the family’s guilt before any court had tried them, and by freezing their assets, including their minor son’s savings, without a hearing. Six Official Statements in Nine Months. No Charge Filed in Any Court. Between December 2025 and September 2026, Thai officials described Mr. Yim as the center of a criminal network on six occasions: at two press conferences chaired by the head of the Thai government, in the House of Representatives, and in three government press releases. The head of the Thai government said the network had been “found to have committed” offenses. Asked about the suspects’ lawy
Sam Altman-Backed Meanwhile Raises $37.5M as Families Across Asia, Europe and the Middle East Turn to Bitcoin Life Insurance8.10.2026 19:12:00 EEST | Press release
Meanwhile, the first life insurer licensed to operate entirely in Bitcoin, today announced $37.5 million in new funding from its existing investors. Bain Capital Crypto led the round, alongside Haun Ventures, Framework Ventures, Pantera Capital, Apollo, Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, and Morgan Creek Digital. Meanwhile, whose backers also include Sam Altman, has now raised more than $180 million. The round follows a surge in international demand for Meanwhile’s Bitcoin life insurance policies, particularly in Asia, Europe and the Middle East amid broader macro instability. In early 2026, Meanwhile launched BTC Life 1-Pay, a single-premium whole life policy built for high-net-worth clients outside the United States. It is the company's second product line after BTC 10-Pay, which is purposely designed for US taxpayers. As the company eyes further international growth, Meanwhile has signed 15 brokers serving wealthy families since launch, including in the insurance hubs of Singapore
Andersen Consulting Adds TalentSmartEQ to Advance Leadership and Business Transformation8.10.2026 17:38:00 EEST | Press release
Andersen Consulting expands its human capital capabilities through a Collaboration Agreement with TalentSmartEQ, a San Diego-based firm focused on creating practical, engaging and actionable learning experiences rooted in emotional intelligence (EQ) and leadership development. For more than two decades, TalentSmartEQ has worked with organizations around the world to develop leadership skills through emotional intelligence, helping strengthen employee engagement, teamwork, and overall performance. The firm combines research-based methodology with practical learning experiences, assessments, coaching, and customized programs that are designed to translate EQ development into sustained changes in workplace behavior. As an industry leader, TalentSmartEQ works with organizations spanning Fortune 500 companies to government agencies and privately held businesses. “Organizations are asking more of their leaders and employees as the workplace continues to evolve,” said Howard Farfel, CEO of Ta
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom
