Back to Blog

How much does Techstars invest? Techstars' current and historical investment terms for startups

April 28, 2025
William Callahan

Software engineer and entrepreneur based in San Francisco.

techstarsstartupinvestingSAFEaccelerator
How much does Techstars invest? Techstars' current and historical investment terms for startups

Update (April 28, 2025): Current Techstars Investment Terms

Techstars' current deal is $220,000 per company1:

  • $200,000 via an uncapped MFN SAFE
  • $20,000 via a Post-Money Convertible Equity Agreement (CEA)

Techstars takes 5% common stock (CEA) plus the SAFE conversion at the next priced round. See the official announcement for full details.1

Techstars is a big name in the accelerator world, known for backing thousands of companies since 2006. Having watched them from a distance since their documentary series on Bloomberg circa ~2011 2, 3, 4, I'd argue they're the second most important accelerator in the world still, after Y Combinator.

I went through Techstars NYC myself in Winter 2023/Spring 2024 with aVenture.vc, so I've seen the process up close. Here's a breakdown of how the Techstars investment has evolved, based on various sources over the years.

Both for my work at aVenture regarding Techstars along with analyzing my own investment from Techstars, I had to search for this data a few times and found it hard to come by, so I thought I'd share it here.

Historical Terms Breakdown

Program Period
Fall 2025
Investment
$220,0001
Breakdown
$200k uncapped MFN SAFE
$20k CEA
Equity Terms
5% common (CEA) + SAFE conversion
Notes
Uncapped MFN SAFE, CEA for 5% common
Program Period
2011–2024
Investment
$120,0005
Breakdown
$100k SAFE + $20k CEA
Equity Terms
6% common (CEA) + SAFE conversion
Notes
SAFE cap typically $10M; 20% discount
Program Period
2011
Investment
$118,0006,7
Breakdown
$100k convertible note + $18k direct equity
Equity Terms
~6% common (equity) + note conversion
Notes
Note converts at next priced round
Program Period
2006–2010
Investment
$6,000–$18,0005
Breakdown
direct funding
Equity Terms
~6% common (equity)
Notes
Varies by year and location

References