Comment Section for As Techstars retools, some former staffers say it lost focus on what made it successful | TechCrunch

The TechCrunch article discusses the recent operational changes and criticisms faced by Techstars, a well-known global accelerator group. Techstars has reportedly decided to shutter some of its city-based programs, a decision that sparked criticism from former members who argue that the group has lost focus on city-based operations, a key factor in its historical success. This includes the closure of Boulder and Seattle accelerators and a pause on the Austin-based program. Former Techstars Seattle managing director, Chris DeVore, criticized the group's strategic choices, including centralizing its fundraising efforts and partnering with corporate sponsors. Techstars CEO, Maëlle Gavet, publicly engaged in the discussion, defending the new operational strategies. While some former managing directors also echoed DeVore's sentiments, Gavet argued that the local funding model was no longer effective and that corporate programs are a critical competitive advantage for the organization. The company's future fundraising status is currently unclear.