Emory to team with Techstars to find next wave of founders

A vaunted training program to get startups ready for investment is partnering with Emory University on a new initiative, the school announced Monday.

Emory is working with New York-based Techstars on a preaccelerator program for early-stage founders. Any aspiring entrepreneurs affiliated with Emory, from the idea-on-a-napkin stage to a more fully fledged startup, are encouraged to apply. Techstars helps runs accelerators around the world.

The Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst Program aims to train founders through a 10-week program early next year. The Techstars program, which will culminate in a pitch competition in April, is replacing the university’s existing Startup Launch Accelerator.

“Entrepreneurship is all about action,” Christy Brown, the program’s lead facilitator, said in a statement. “Through this program, founders will not only learn from the best but also actively build and test their ventures, developing the resilience and creativity they’ll need for long-term success.”

At least one person actively involved with the startup team has to be an Emory student, faculty or staff member or alumnus. Teams must commit to attending the weekly in-person sessions throughout the training.

The program is free and there is no equity investment from Techstars. Applications are open through Jan. 17, and the program will start Jan. 30.

This is not the first time Techstars has launched a program in Atlanta. The accelerator was first brought to the city by Sandy Springs-based Cox Enterprises nine years ago, and Cox has provided funding, mentorship and connections for the dozens of startups that have gone through the accelerator over the years. Cox owns The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Earlier this year, Cox ended its partnership with Techstars, according to a spokesperson for the company. Cox recently launched its own accelerator program focused on companies in the clean technology sector.

Techstars has another accelerator in Atlanta sponsored by J.P. Morgan.

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