Techstars Rising Stars
Empowering underrepresented founders with early-stage capital and mentorship.
Overview
Rising Stars is a pre-seed, pre-accelerator fund deployed by Techstars from 2022-2025 specifically designed to provide underrepresented founders in the United States with access to early-stage capital and mentorship. The program aims to support diverse startup ecosystems and enable founders to reach Series A-readiness.
Investment focus
Rising Stars aims to remove capital barriers for underrepresented founders and build inclusive startup pipelines. The program focuses on supporting founders from disadvantaged communities and creating pathways to scaled capital and success.
Program details
Designed for Founders. The program is remote. Participation is generally unknown.
Who it is for
The program specifically supports Black, Hispanic, Latino, Indigenous American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and other historically underrepresented groups.
Check if you are eligible
Check your eligibility for Techstars Rising StarsAdmissions and application
The application process is currently unspecified, but the program focuses on supporting underrepresented founders.
Benefits
Participants gain access to $100,000 in capital, mentorship from the Techstars network, business fundamentals training, pitch coaching, and introductions to investors.
Timeline
The fund is fully deployed from 2022 to 2025, focusing on supporting existing portfolio companies.
How to go about it
- Read what it asks for
Who can apply, how people get in and whether it is open right now.
- Have something to show
Programs pick people whose work they can already point to. Put yours where it can be found.
- Apply the way the program asks
The program has not published how to apply. Terms and dates change. Check the official page before you act.
What it pays
Participants receive a $100,000 capital deployment as part of the program, with no revenue requirement attached to the equity investment.
Questions about this program
What is the investment size?
Each investment is $100,000.
What equity stake does the fund take?
The fund takes approximately 7-10% equity.
About Techstars
Techstars
Accelerator
Empowering entrepreneurs through mentorship and investment.
Other programs by Techstars
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- Jun 10, 2026
AcceleratorTechstars (in partnership with The Nature Conservancy)
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From public sources
What the sources say about Techstars Rising Stars
The Northwestern article separates its three-month Techstars Chicago accelerator description from Rising Stars, a fund then being raised.
Source: Recap: Neal Sales-Griffin Speaks with the Activate CohortRising Stars is absent from the entries in the captured current Techstars accelerator directory.
Source: Techstars current acceleratorsAPEC attributes Pairanything's go-to-market progress in part to subsequent Techstars investments.
Source: Empowering Tomorrow: APEC Women Entrepreneurs in StartupsAPEC reports recipient-specific Pairanything operating metrics as of 2024.
Source: Empowering Tomorrow: APEC Women Entrepreneurs in StartupsAPEC's report says Pairanything received USD$100,000 through Rising Stars in Fall 2023.
Source: Empowering Tomorrow: APEC Women Entrepreneurs in StartupsLybbie's founder identified Sales-Griffin as managing director and described Filipino representation in her experience.
Source: Lybbie | Empower Breastfeeding Success
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