Excelerate Blog

TechStars Chicago’s class of 2013

Entering the fourth year of the program, and the first as TechStars, we are excited to announce this year’s class.  Selection was difficult as we had to narrow the 904 applications down to 10 companies to admit.  We conducted over 225 interviews, had hours of debating, and cannot wait to get to work with the new class.

Getting more twice as many applications as we had last year is a clear signal that this program is continuing to earn respect of entrepreneurs everywhere and that Chicago is becoming a leading destination for developing technology companies.

Here is a quick run down on the 2013 TechStars Chicago class:


CaptureProof – Is a platform for patients to securely and easily share photos and videos with their doctors.

 

HIPOM – Gives parents total control of Internet access in the home on a device-by-device basis. The cloud-based solution makes it as simple as a light switch to turn individual devices on and off and even set timers to control them automatically.

 


Nexercise – Mobile app that makes fitness fun through the use of friendly competition, smart alerts and real rewards.


Pathful – Web analytics platform that captures every visitor interaction with every element on a website automatically. Makes it easier for marketers and designers to understand what users are really doing on their site.

 


Peoplematics – Unlocks the data users store in the cloud with intuitive search and sharing across applications.

 


Project Fixup – Digital matchmaker that fixes people up on fun one-on-one dates.


SimpleRelevance – Analytics-driven email marketing platform that provides customized digital communication for every customer and every message.


SocialCrunch – The new way to unlock the most provocative human insights for brands and their agencies.

 


Sqord, Inc. – Makes healthy, active play more fun for kids by allowing them to compete and earn points for everyday activities.


TradingView – An online community for investors and traders to share and discuss their ideas.

 

 

 

 

Filed under: Status Updates — Tags: , , — April 25, 2013

TechStars Chicago applications are closed, but YOU can still get into the program…

Have you dreamed of becoming the next success story to come out of TechStars but don’t have a team or an idea? Are you a full stack developer who can execute like all hell? Great news! TechStars Chicago is recruiting for our HackStars program for the summer of 2013!

Hackstars are highly-skilled software developers and designers that love to work with the companies and go through the TechStars program.  Plus, they get paid for the program (just like the founders) and most HackStars ultimately land a job or co-founder status with one of the startups. What a great way to hack into TechStars!

What we’re looking for:

·       You’re a a code-slinging mac-daddy superstar guru at PHP, Java, .NET, Python, Objective-C, Ruby, JQuery, or design/UI/UX.

·       You can design, cut and code efficiently and brilliantly

·       You want to have a TechStars experience so you can learn all about startups and funding from our mentors.

·       You want to work side-by-side with some of the country’s most promising new founders and young companies. (wait until you see the great companies we accepted for this summer!)

·       You live in Chicago, or are willing to relocate for the program and are willing to dedicate 100% of your time during the program to TechStars Chicago.

In addition to being compensated ($6,000), your network will explode beyond all comprehension and you’ll have the chance to work along side some of best and brightest new companies.

Applications close May 30th,so what are you waiting for? Are you ready to join the TechStars network? Apply now!

 

 

Filed under: Status Updates — Tags: — April 12, 2013

Open House for TechStars-Chicago applicants

The final deadline for applications is midnight EST on March 15th and there are a lot of people with a ton of questions.  If you have already applied or are thinking about applying, come by on Thursday, March 7th for an open house.  Come see the space, talk to the directors, alums, mentors and get your questions answered.  This is a big year for the program, coming off 3 years as Excelerate Labs and now transitioning to TechStars-Chicago!

We will have finger food, drinks and some amazing entrepreneurs, but RSVP quickly as space is limited!  

 
For those who are curious, here are some highlights from Demo Day 2012 at the House of Blues (how about that foreshadowing by Brad Feld, who noticed it last August???)

Filed under: Events,Status Updates — March 2, 2013

Women Entrepreneurs – come learn about TechStars-Chicago!

Excelerate Labs (now TechStars Chicago) is  looking for the best digital startups out there, and to find the best we need to encourage a broad range of applicants across gender, age, ethnicity and nationality. In our first three years as Excelerate Labs, 30% of our CEOs were women. We are having an open house on Tuesday February 26th specifically for women who want to learn more about our program to come and meet some of the CEOs and Mentors that have been through the program.  Come see what we are all about and RSVP here if you are interested.

 

Women Entrepreneurs at Excelerate Labs from Excelerate Labs on Vimeo.

Filed under: Status Updates — February 15, 2013

Call for interns for TechStars-Chicago 2013!

DemoDay

Excelerate Labs has always been a busy place in the summer with 10 amazing companies in the throws of intense programming.  Now that we are part of TechStars and sitting on a national platform, it will be even more exciting and we need help!  

We are looking for MBA and undergraduate interns for the summer of 2013.  If you are excited about helping build the next amazing batch of internet startups, as they grow from early stage to venture-backed companies, this might just be the best decision you ever make.  It will be crazy, it will be intense, it will be exhausting and it will be the best decision you ever made.  You will participate in mentor meetings, the Chicago program’s famous “Entrepreneur’s MBA” and of course Demo Day.  Some days you will be ordering pizza and managing calendars, others you may be giving a tour to out of town VC’s – there is a little bit of everything.

Our program runs from the last week in May through the end of August, you must be available to be in Chicago full time.

Requirements for Undergrad Interns: Rising senior or recently graduated. Demonstrated interest in startups. Comfortable with uncertainty and self-directed.

Requirements for MBA Interns: Completed your first year or have recently graduated. Able to leverage your knowledge of startups, business models, strategy, finance, and more to help both our companies and the program. Ready to manage one or more interns.

The applications are open until February 22nd at midnight central time, so apply now!

Filed under: Status Updates — February 11, 2013

Excelerate Labs Tweets

  • RT @TroyHenikoff: We have some AWESOME Hackstars 4 @TechStars Chicago, but have 1 more spot… Track me down if U R interested! http://t.co/…
  • RT @jvwright: Love this... Joe Born's speech about the Extraordinary http://t.co/67nqn361Eg via @ExcelerateLabs
  • RT @kristinbarrett: Congrats to @XiZhaoLegend on being named for the @thielfellowship. All of your @ExcelerateLabs colleagues are so proud!!
  • RT @TroyHenikoff: Nice article detailing the new class of @TechStars Chicago - http://t.co/HKNIOLx1bp
  • Build web apps from idea to launch - 3 months - apply today for Summer 2013 @StarterLeague - http://t.co/RiGEk5kTKT