Techstars Atlanta Accelerator Announces 2021 Class

Jul 19, 2021

By Dave Payne, Managing Director of the Techstars Atlanta in Partnership with Cox Enterprises

Today I’m excited to announce the 2021 class of Techstars Atlanta in Partnership with Cox Enterprises!

After sourcing for six months, meeting over 1,000 founders, and reviewing hundreds of applications, we are ready to announce the ten startups that have earned a spot in the 2021 class of Techstars Atlanta in Partnership with Cox Enterprises.

As this year’s class came together, three specific themes emerged across the group: hyperlocal businesses, Atlanta-based teams, and new real estate business models.

Hyperlocal

Because Techstars Atlanta doesn’t have an industry focus, we choose startups based mostly on the quality of the teams. But every year a trend or two emerges accidentally, and this year was no different.

While we don’t focus on a particular vertical, my personal areas of interest and expertise 一 “hyperlocal” businesses or startups where the supply and demand are in the same city 一 influence the process.

This year half of the class are hyperlocal startups - OrderNerd, ReRent, ServeScape, UpKid & washbnb.

Atlanta-based Teams

We're constantly looking for the highest potential companies to join us at Techstars Atlanta. This year, we didn't have to look far. Half of our 2020 class comes from the Atlanta region and startup ecosystem.

Over the past fifteen years, Atlanta has emerged as a major startup city. Just two months ago, TechCrunch wrote this article titled, “How did Atlanta become a top breeding ground for billion-dollar startups in the Southeast?”

The Atlanta-based teams are Focal Point, Nectar, OrderNerd, Punchli.st & ServeScape.

New Real Estate Business Models

Lastly, there are four startups in this year’s class that are solving various challenges across the real estate landscape. Nectar is making financing easier for real estate providers, ReRent is making it easier for students to share their homes on short-term rental platforms, washbnb is a linen service for small hotels and short-term rental providers, and ServeScape is making it easier for consumers and professional landscapers to have beautiful plants.

These four startups join the Techstars Atlanta portfolio on the heels of 2020 Techstars Atlanta real estate startup Arrived Homes raising $37 million for their unique real estate business model.

Of course, there are other extraordinary startups in this year’s class that I didn’t mention here - and we are excited about each and every one of them!

Techstars Atlanta is a 13-week program that helps founders #domorefaster. During 90 days of rapid acceleration, the entrepreneurs build their business networks, receive individualized support from Cox Enterprises team members and the Techstars network, and learn the building blocks of a successful business. The program kicks off with mentor madness, where leaders from across Cox Enterprises, as well as regional leading subject matter experts, will provide more than 1,000 hours of mentorship to the companies.

We welcome everyone to join us at our Demo Day on October 18th where each of these ten startups will present the progress of their businesses to investors and community members.

Please join me in welcoming the Techstars Atlanta in Partnership with Cox Enterprises class of 2021!