Thursday, February 3, 2011

Betaspring joins newly launched TechStars Network

By Rodney H. Brown

Betaspring, the Providence, R.I.-based startup accelerator, has become a member of the TechStars Network, a 17-member alliance of TechStars programs and independent startup accelerator programs across the country. TechStars announced the network at the end of January as part of the Startup America program from the Obama administration.

The TechStars Network includes the TechStars branches in Boston, New York and Seattle as well as the original one in Boulder, Colo. In addition, a number of independent programs like Betaspring that provide seed funding and mentorship to entrepreneurs are the network’s charter members.

According to officials, Betaspring has accelerated 16 startups since 2009 who collectively have raised $5 million in follow-on funding. Betaspring is a charter member of the TechStars.

In addition to the TechStars organizations and Betaspring, the charter members of the network are AlphaLab, Pittsburgh, PA; Arizona State University, Scottsdale, AZ: Blueprint Health, New York, NY; BoomStartup, Salt Lake City, UT; Excelerate Labs, Chicago, IL; Founders Co-op, Seattle, WA; Incubate Miami, Miami, FL; Joyful Frog Digital Incubator; Singapore; Jumpstart Foundry, Nashville, TN; LaunchPad Ignition, New Orleans, LA; Ryan Academy Propeller Seed Accelerator Program, Dublin, Ireland; Springboard, Cambridge, UK; Startupbootcamp, Copenhagen, Denmark and Madrid, Spain; Tech Wildcatters, Dallas, TX; The Brandery, Cincinnati, OH; The Elevator, Tel Aviv, Israel.

According to officials, Betaspring has accelerated 16 startups since 2009 who collectively have raised $5 million in follow-on funding. Betaspring is a charter member of the TechStars. Betaspring co-founder and managing partner Allan Tear said in a recent interview that the incubator plans to double in size in 2011, adding a “maker track” specifically for hardware, robotics and other tangible products.