Which startup accelerator was founded in Boulder, Colorado, in 2006?

Techstars was founded in Boulder, Colorado, in 2006.

David Cohen, Brad Feld, David Brown, and Jared Polis established Techstars as a mentorship-driven startup accelerator. Its first program selected a small group of companies and connected them with mentors, investors, and the local technology community.

Techstars became known for intensive, time-limited accelerator programs that culminate in a public demonstration or investor-focused event commonly called Demo Day. The organization later expanded to operate programs in many cities and industries around the world.

Techstars is often compared with Y Combinator, another influential accelerator, but the two organizations were founded separately and run different programs. An accelerator typically invests in a selected group of startups and provides structured support over a fixed period, whereas an incubator may offer a less standardized and more open-ended environment.