Techstars Anywhere, Techstars' first remote accelerator, began in 2017 with “the belief that great startup ideas can come from anywhere and everywhere.” Currently, North Texas' Trey Bowles is leading the program's growth. [Image: Techstars]
Techstars' pioneering remote accelerator initiative has a new leader at the helm.
Trey Bowles, a prominent figure in the Dallas-Fort Worth entrepreneurial ecosystem, was announced this December as the new managing director of the Techstars “Anywhere Remote” accelerator, a unique remote-first startup program powered by global pre-seed investors. As such, he assumed the role of leader.
Mr. Bowles is a serial entrepreneur, co-founder of the Dallas Entrepreneur Center, and founding managing director of the Techstars Physical Health Fort Worth Accelerator. He brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to his Techstars Anywhere, overseeing selection and application activities for his upcoming September program and leading his current March efforts.
The leadership update comes as the accelerator prepares for the May 22, 2024 application deadline for cohorts that begin in September.
“As we approach the application deadline for the next group, we are excited to see what new and innovative ventures will join us,” Bowles said. “At Techstars Anywhere, we don't just invest in companies we can help succeed. We invest in companies we know will succeed. We just help them get there faster. ”
trey bowles [Photo: Techstars]
The demand for remote is clear
“Techstars Anywhere is actually the most popular of all Techstars programs,” Bowles said. “This program receives more applications than any other program in our portfolio.”
The Techstars Anywhere model combines virtual programming with three in-person meetups across the Americas, allowing participants to deeply engage without uprooting their lives or businesses. This model has proven essential for founders who need flexibility but want the benefits of a robust accelerator experience. And for Techstars, without his remote program, “we would have missed out on a lot of great investment opportunities,” he added.
“Before the times” remote-first model
“The remote accelerator concept at Techstars was completely ahead of its time,” says Bowles. “When all programs went remote/virtual, Techstars already had a model in place to scale across the company.”
Since its inception in 2017, the remote program has filled a gap in the startup ecosystem by allowing founders who were unable to leave their hometown for 13 weeks to access Techstars resources.
Bowles emphasized that the focus is on ensuring the same level of value as in-person programs. As with other Techstars programs, “real value” includes a commitment to “best-in-class mentors who agree to contribute their time, talent, and in some cases funding to support our program's founders.” That includes access, Bowles said. .
Diverse industries can benefit from “generalist investment theory”
Under Bowles' leadership, Techstars Anywhere plans to continue its tradition of driving innovation across industries, including technology, fintech and health sciences.
Bowles expects future groups to attract a diverse group of entrepreneurs. Previous groups have included companies ranging from space technology to his AI-driven storytelling platform. For the spring semester, Techstars also invested in a water-saving business, a fintech that teaches Gen Z how to invest in the stock market, and a neuroscientist working on the problem of helping kids sleep.
The accelerator's “generalist investment theory” gives Techstars the opportunity to “look broadly at different markets, verticals, and trends that give entrepreneurs an indication of what the future holds for their industry,” Bowles said.
As the most active pre-seed investor on the planet, Techstars has the opportunity to be at the forefront of most technology markets, according to its new managing director. “We can determine the future of the market based on the companies we choose to invest in,” he said.
Bowles believes that innovation is on the rocket ship to the future. “We have the opportunity to select companies and founders from the market that we believe are addressing the biggest problems across a variety of sectors,” he said.
The long path to startup success
Bowles says Techstars Anywhere's remote-first model is critical to more than 100 companies navigating startup waters while balancing personal commitments and business needs.
Great companies and great founders can come from anywhere, Bowles says. “Techstars wants to find great entrepreneurs in Des Moines, Tallahassee, Atlanta, Vienna, Santa Fe and Fort Worth,” he said.
Bowles highlighted a series of entrepreneurs who have used the program's flexibility to their advantage. From a mother who wanted to be closer to his family, to a student who completed graduate school while building a startup, to a founder who stayed in his hometown to be closer to important customers. Techstars Anywhere has you covered.
Lone State Success Story
Among the North Texas success stories, Bowles said, “Trust & Will in the city of Dallas is experiencing incredible success and growth,” as an example of a company that has grown thanks to accelerator support. I mentioned this startup. The startup aims to leave a lasting legacy for users' loved ones by simplifying the process of estate planning.
Trust & Will's success is particularly evident in its recently launched television commercial campaign featuring Dallas native Matthew Stafford to introduce its services.
Elsewhere in Texas is Austin-based Pipedream, a startup founded in 2020 that “continues to grow and scale with some great customers.” focuses on building autonomous underground delivery networks that use high-speed tunnels and robotic technology to transport goods. Pipedream has attracted attention from major brands such as Wendy's, which the company partnered with last year in a pilot to use the system for an innovative delivery solution for mobile orders.
Apply for the September Techstars program by May 22nd
Entrepreneurs are encouraged to act quickly as the countdown to the application deadline begins.
Entrepreneurs interested in joining the Techstars network should apply by the May 22 deadline to take advantage of the opportunity to accelerate their ventures with expert guidance and an extensive network of mentors and investors. Bowles said this is encouraged.
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