Second Impressions

I’m an investor in a company called GiveForward which helps raise money for loved ones, for medical needs. This company has so much “heart” that it’s hard to describe. You feel it in the founders every day, and in the stories that come in from their customers. I am incredibly proud of them for what …

Continue Reading >

file under: Blog

28 Million More Ways To Help Startups

When I founded Techstars in 2006, the goal was to help discover amazing entrepreneurs and invest in them with not just dollars but also with a new style of super-engaged mentorship. Looking back after six years, we’ve expanded to five locations and Techstars has become something very special. The network of mentors, entrepreneurs, and investors …

Continue Reading >

file under: Blog

There is no tone in email

Consider the email chain below. I’ve assembled it in sequential order and bracketed out some parts that are not public.   On Feb 8, 2012, at 10:56 AM, David Cohen wrote: Hi Mark, [Something great is happening to me that I never expected – redacted]. Who knew. Can you send me [the address I need …

Continue Reading >

file under: Blog, Startups

Microsoft launches the Kinect Accelerator

In mid-November, Microsoft announced its launch of the Kinect Accelerator, a Seattle-based accelerator program powered by Techstars. Since then, hundreds of applications have poured in from hackers and entrepreneurs eager to tap into the possibilities of the infinite motion sensing world. What innovative idea that leverages the Kinect do you have? Remember that Kinect is …

Continue Reading >

file under: Blog

TedX Boulder coming up Sept 24

TEDxBoulder is 8 days away. It’s going to be another huge event and there are just a few seats left. If you don’t have yours yet, you should hurry it up already before it’s too late. Check out those speakers! I also just wanted to give a quick shout out to Andrew Hyde and his …

Continue Reading >

file under: Blog

The Mentor Manifesto

I’ve been running Techstars for six years now. I’ve watched eleven batches of companies interact with hundreds of mentors. Because of that mentorship (focused on amazingly talented companies) we’ve seen those companies go on to raise about $100M in funding (averaging about $1M each post Techstars). In that time, I’ve witnessed thousands of mentor interactions, …

Continue Reading >

file under: Blog, Startups