Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst returns for a third year
November 3, 2026 Fern Biswas
Christy Brown returns as lead facilitator of the Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst in 2027. Photo by Christopher Oquendo.
Following two milestone years of empowering university-affiliated startups, the Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst (TEFC) is officially returning for its third cohort.
The 10-week pre-accelerator is a joint collaboration between The Hatchery Center for Innovation, the Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Goizueta Business School, and Techstars, one of the most active pre-seed venture investors in the world. Together, the partners aim to identify high-potential ventures across the Emory community — including students, faculty, staff and alumni — and help them become investment-ready.
A track record of rapid growth
Since its inaugural launch, TEFC has seen surging demand across diverse industries, from healthcare and artificial intelligence to consumer tech and finance. In 2025, the program’s debut drew 56 applications and supported 19 ventures. Yet, by 2026, interest jumped to 71 applications, with 20 competitive ventures selected to participate.
Cohort members gain knowledge and confidence in the entrepreneurial space. One such founder in 2026, Emory alum Samuel Wakefield, highlighted, “This program really accelerated our understanding of our market and our customer.” He continued, “That wouldn’t have happened without the learning around customer discovery that I had in this program.”
Reflecting on the program’s long-term vision and expanded commitment, The Hatchery’s director Ben Garrett explained, “What makes this partnership powerful is the connection to the global Techstars network. Creating pathways for Emory founders to access the mentorship and opportunities of hundreds of Techstars entrepreneurs and partners is an incredible value addition to our entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Elevating ventures to the next stage
While programs like The Hatchery’s Sandbox support initial ideation and exploratory problem-solving, the Founder Catalyst offers a more intensive, focused sprint tailored for founders ready to scale.
Participating teams undergo a rigorous curriculum focused on business model refinement, investor pitching, and network and mentorship. Guiding the cohort through this 10-week journey is CEO of Dr. Noze Best Christy Brown, who returns to facilitate the program for the third consecutive year.
“The Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst Program builds on the good work being done across the university and complements Goizueta’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation’s portfolio of programs supporting venture development and startup talent,” says Brian Cayce, managing director of The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. “The program is a powerful feeder of founders and startups and allows us to support a wide range of ventures with unique resources. The track record from our previous cohorts is beginning to bear that out.”
Cohort eligibility
Applications are open to startups where at least one founder or core team member holds an Emory affiliation (student, alumni, faculty or staff).
To ensure maximum engagement during cohort sessions:
- At least one person attending the working sessions must be Emory-affiliated
- Teams are encouraged to have their CEO apply and attend all sessions, with up to two team members total participating
- If the team’s CEO is not Emory-affiliated, the team member attending the sessions alongside them must hold the Emory affiliation
Key dates and next steps
Regardless of venture specifics, TEFC exists to shorten the distance between a promising concept and a resilient, market-ready enterprise.
- Application Window: Open now through Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2026
- Application Link: Submit an application here
- Cohort Launch: Jan. 21, 2027
- Demo Day: April 22, 2027
If you are ready to challenge yourself and bring your vision to life, we encourage you to apply and join us now.
