Boulder’s TechStars startup bootcamp taking off

TechStars http://www.techstars.org/ burst onto the scene in 2006 when four local men — entrepreneurs and investors heavily involved in the tech industry — developed a concept to help software entrepreneurs avoid some early-stage hiccups in launching companies.

The concept: Cherry-pick 10 companies from applicants across the world; provide up to $18,000 in funding for each company in return for a 6 percent equity stake; invite those companies to Boulder for a 90-day intensive mentoring-heavy effort; and help prepare the companies to pitch their ideas to investors.

Not even five years into existence, the Boulder-bred seed-stage investment program has taken nova-like strides. It has established programs on both U.S. coasts; launched an initiative to help similarly focused efforts worldwide; and witnessed instances of past participants evolving into serial entrepreneurs.

"The real reason for running TechStars is for the opportunities that it creates and for the long-term ecosystem efforts," David Cohen, TechStars’ chief executive officer and co-founder, wrote in an e-mail to the Camera.

By Alicia Wallace, Camera Business Writer

Full Story: http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_15081034#axzz0oCSuBfO3