Applications for the Techstars Berlin 2021 accelerator were open until October 11th, 2020. We actually start interviewing teams even before the deadline (as soon as the application is in), so you should apply early. I’ve written a few articles about the Techstars Berlin application process, so be sure to check those out.
A very large number of companies apply to the Techstars Berlin program, and we end up going through an exciting process to narrow down that number to ten companies. We first narrow our list down to 80 companies, and start vetting companies based on the information contained in applications submitted via F6S, and also our knowledge of the market, and the sector your company operates in.
We’ll let you know by October 23rd if your application has progressed to the Top 40 round, and at this point I’m requesting feedback from other investors and entrepreneurs, including Techstars’ senior leadership team, to further assess your suitability.
As part of the application process, between October 21st and November 11th, you’ll be expected to attend virtual interviews with at least two, and up to eight, different members from the Techstars Berlin ecosystem. Each interview will last between 20-30 minutes, and you’ll be expected to introduce your startup, and allow the interviewer the chance to ask you a series of questions. If you have specific questions for your interviewer, be sure to indicate to them at the start of the interview, just so they’re aware.
Look out for an email from us with the subject line: Next Steps – Techstars Berlin 2021 Accelerator Program <> [your company name].
After those interviews are completed, I’ll gather feedback from all the people helping me, and then decide which companies are invited to the final stage. The final stage involves one or two longer, more in-depth, conversations with me. Look out for an email from us with the subject line: TS Berlin 2021 chat with Jag (final stage).
We’ll send out offers to the final 10 startups by the second week of November, if not sooner. One or two additional startups may also be offered a place on the wait-list. I reach out individually to each startup, to let them know if it’s a go/no-go decision. If you’re one of the final 10 companies, you’ll be sent our Letter of Intent (LOI) document which outlines all the requirements to pass our legal due-diligence phase. You can expect to already start working with me
The Berlin accelerator program itself officially starts at the end of January, and continues until the end of April. Mentoring sessions with the Berlin mentor-pool will span the first two weeks of February 2021. The 2021 accelerator will run virtually, with likely no planned in-person sessions.
