Techstars, the world’s most active pre-seed investor, is partnering with The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, and Goizueta Business School’s Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation to launch the Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst Program. This proven pre-accelerator program is designed to empower early-stage entrepreneurs with world-class startup education, mentorship and opportunities to scale their ventures.
“Partnering with Techstars, an internationally renowned accelerator, allows us to extend the impact of entrepreneurship across Emory and beyond,” says Ben Garrett, director of The Hatchery. “The Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst program builds on our commitment to equipping the next generation of founders with the tools, mentorship and confidence they need to bring their innovative ideas to life, no matter the industry or focus.”
Participation is open to all members of the Emory community, including students, faculty, staff and alumni. Teams need at least one Emory-affiliated member actively involved with the startup and must commit to weekly in-person sessions. Participation in the Founder Catalyst program is free of charge for all founders.
The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation has long been at the forefront of Emory’s entrepreneurship education. The Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst program will replace the center’s existing Startup Launch Accelerator in 2025, reflecting a strategic evolution in Emory’s entrepreneurship offerings.
“This collaboration with Techstars represents a significant step forward for Emory’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” says Brian Cayce, managing director of The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. “By connecting our community with Techstars’ global expertise, we’re positioning Emory founders for exceptional success on both local and national stages.”
Christy Brown, who has run SLA at Goizueta for the past three years, will serve as the new program’s lead facilitator. As an experienced entrepreneur and instructor who has guided startups through early growth stages, she emphasizes the program’s hands-on approach.
“Entrepreneurship is all about action,” Brown says. “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.”
Under the leadership of Wilbur Lam, vice provost for entrepreneurship at Emory, the university has focused on enhancing resources and connections for innovators across disciplines.
“Emory’s partnership with Techstars exemplifies the collaborative spirit that drives our entrepreneurial vision,” says Lam. “We are deeply committed to creating opportunities that empower our students, faculty, staff and alumni to turn their ideas into impactful ventures.”
Techstars brings unparalleled expertise to this collaboration. As the world’s leading pre-seed investor, Techstars has helped launch and scale thousands of successful startups worldwide.
“We’re thrilled to bring Techstars’ proven pre-accelerator model to Emory University,” says Katie Smith, head of startup community at Techstars. “This partnership represents a unique opportunity to combine Emory’s incredible talent with Techstars’ resources and global network, creating a launchpad for tomorrow’s leading innovators.”
About The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation
The Hatchery supports innovators and entrepreneurs from all Emory schools and serves as Emory’s epicenter for exploring what’s possible. We empower students with the skillsets and mindsets to be purpose-driven and effective innovators and entrepreneurs who drive demonstrable social and economic impact. Housed within a 15,000-square-foot creativity and collaboration space, The Hatchery offers mentoring and program support for all stages of innovation — from inspiration and learning to startups.
About Goizueta Business School’s Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is a leading resource for entrepreneurial education at Emory University, meeting students, faculty and staff where they are in their development. With access points and general exposure for the curious as well as skill development and in-depth learning opportunities for the highly engaged, the center offers both academic and experiential pathways for founders, connectors, investors and disruptors. The Center seeks to foster entrepreneurship and innovation for Goizueta and the greater Emory community through critical inquiry, service to fundamental societal needs, execution of sound business principles, and possibilities that spark the imagination.