Who this is for: Early-stage startup founders who are experts in their field, building technology in robotics, energy, applied or physical AI, materials science or other industries, whose company operates in North American time zones. African founders whose startups are based in the US, Canada or Mexico can apply; startups run from Africa or Europe can’t.
Techstars Anywhere is Techstars’ remote-first accelerator, running since 2017. Founders take part from where they are, and meet in person at three offsites in startup hubs. Each startup in the Spring 2027 class receives a US$220,000 investment and three months of mentorship-driven support.
Final deadline: 18 November 2026. The programme runs from 8 March to Demo Day on 3 June 2027.
At a Glance
| Organiser | Techstars |
| Investment | US$220,000 per startup |
| Format | Remote-first, with three in-person offsites in startup hubs |
| Length | Three months (8 March to 3 June 2027) |
| Focus | Robotics, energy, applied and physical AI, materials science, and other industries |
| Who can apply | Early-stage startups operating in North American time zones |
| Deadline | 18 November 2026 |
The Investment
- US$200,000 through an uncapped MFN SAFE: it converts at your next priced round (of at least US$1 million) on the best terms you give any other SAFE investor in between.
- US$20,000 through a convertible equity agreement, for 5% common equity.
- Full terms are on Techstars’ investment terms page.
Know the trade. Techstars takes 5% of your company plus a stake through the SAFE. It’s investment, not a grant.
What You Get
- Three months of mentorship-driven support from the Techstars Anywhere team, led by Managing Director Kerty Levy.
- Access to Techstars’ global network of mentors, investors and alumni.
- Help with fundraising, business development and scaling, ending with Demo Day.
- No relocation: work from where you are, with three in-person offsites in venture capital hubs.
Eligibility
- An early-stage startup building a technology that creates real value.
- Founders with deep domain expertise in the problem they’re solving.
- Any industry, with a strong interest in robotics, energy, applied and physical AI, and materials science.
- A company operating in North American time zones, so the team can join live sessions.
- Able to travel to the three in-person offsites during the programme.
Based in Africa? This programme isn’t for startups operating on African time. Look at our funding roundup for founders and the global programmes below, many of which take African startups.
How to Apply
- Open the Techstars Anywhere page and click Apply Today.
- Create an account on Techstars’ application platform and choose the Anywhere Spring 2027 programme.
- Describe your team, product, market and traction. Show why your founders are the right experts for this problem.
- Submit by 18 November 2026. Shortlisted founders are invited to interviews.
Tips
- Lead with domain expertise. Techstars Anywhere says it wants founders who are experts in what they build; make that obvious.
- Show traction. Pilots, revenue, users or letters of intent make an early-stage application stronger.
- Know your cap table. Model what 5% plus the SAFE means for your next round before you accept.
- Plan the offsites. Check passports and visas early if any founder travels on a non-North American passport.
Related Opportunities
- Y Combinator Winter 2027: US$500,000 for Your Startup
- The Pitch by Deel 2027: Win a US$50,000 SAFE
- INSEAD AI Founder Sprint 2027
- 20 Funding Opportunities for Startup Founders Open Now (November 2026)
Run a startup? Set up your company on the OpportunityLab Portal to see every grant, accelerator and prize it can apply for.
