Techstars, a leading global accelerator, has announced a leadership transition. Maëlle Gavet, who has served as CEO for the past three and a half years, is stepping down from her position due to health concerns. Co-founder David Cohen will be returning to the helm as CEO, resuming the leadership role he held for 13 years prior to Gavet’s appointment.
This leadership change comes at a time when Techstars is navigating a period of growth and evolving market dynamics. The company recently reported that it fell short of its revenue targets in 2023, necessitating cost-cutting measures, including staff reductions and the closure of several accelerator programs.
Despite these challenges, Techstars has achieved significant milestones under Gavet’s leadership. The company has invested in over 2,000 startups globally, with 469 portfolio companies raising over $2.4 billion in funding in 2023 alone. Furthermore, Gavet spearheaded efforts to increase diversity within the Techstars portfolio, with a notable increase in female and underrepresented founders.
David Cohen, in his return as CEO, will leverage his deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and his extensive experience in building and scaling Techstars to navigate the company’s evolving needs and continue to support the growth of innovative startups worldwide.
