To put it simply: TechStars changes everything.
"Oh, but, George," you whine. "Didn't you have to give up 6% of ReTel's equity."
I robbed David Cohen blind. 6 points is a steal. Any start up with promise will earn these back ten-fold. You will get tremendous mentors, new customers, new partners, new investors, and a network of friends that will change your life.
It's the network of friends that meant the most to me. Of course all of these friends are business associates in one way or another, but the network you establish in TechStars and in Boulder goes way beyond - "you scratch my back, I'll scratch your back."
It probably sounds like bullshit, but they really care. David, Brad, Nicole, Andrew, Tim, Josh and all the founders believe that entrepreneurship is a truly noble pursuit; that it is something to be admired and nurtured for its own sake; and that each entrepreneurial success improves the chances for all entrepreneurs.
Why else would David open source the TechStars playbook? While I was there multiple incubators from around the country came in to see how he runs things. He freely shared everything with them.
So, if you have a start up or are thinking of launching a start up, apply to TechStars. It will change everything.
