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The "Give First" mentality of Techstars, a global network of startup accelerators and investors, is a powerful example of the quality of generosity. Generosity is the conscious decision to give without expecting immediate returns, and to put the good of others above personal advantage. Techstars' "Give First" philosophy fosters exactly this attitude by supporting startups, sharing knowledge, and creating a culture of helpfulness. Techstars is a global startup accelerator, founded in 2006, that supports entrepreneurs through mentoring, funding, and networks.
Techstars is a leading player in the startup ecosystem, fostering innovation and growth. Techstars' first and most important value is: We give first. With this culture, Techstars has achieved that in 2018 alone, about 20,000 startups applied for the 400 spots available worldwide. An incredible success. What Techstars means by giving first:
1. We help others whenever possible. We're all busy, but if the request is sincere and realistic, we respond and help. We're mindful of others' time and clear and specific in our requests.
2. We respond quickly within the network. We strive to prioritize and respond to requests from other members of the Techstars network, ideally within two business days.
3. We deliberately create a positive cycle. We work proactively to give back to the ecosystem by giving first to others in our community, without specific expectations of anything in return.
4. We value the help of others. No one does it alone—successful startups are always a team effort. We are grateful for the help of our customers, mentors, and others who make our success possible.
5. We respect a "no" as an answer. If another member says no to a request, we respect their decision.
6. We share talent and business opportunities. When we have finalist candidates we don't want to hire directly, we share them with other members of the network. When we become aware of good business opportunities we don't want to pursue directly, we share them with others in the network.
7. We are committed to building a safe, sustainable, enduring, and prosperous global society through our business activities. We believe in solving environmental problems, such as climate change, to contribute to building a future friendly to people and the planet.
Giving without expecting anything in return
Building a supportive community
Fostering innovation through generosity
Long-term impact and sustainability
Mentoring as an act of generosity
Inspiration through example
Trust as the foundation for generosity
Key lessons from Techstars' "Give First" mentality in relation to the quality of generosity
- Giving without expectationGenerosity means giving without immediately demanding something in return.
- Strengthening communityGenerous people create supportive networks.
- Fostering innovationGenerosity forms the foundation for creative thinking and growth.
- Long-term impactTrue generosity has sustainable and transformative effects.
- MentoringGenerosity means helping others unlock their potential.
- Role-model effectGenerous actions inspire others to be generous as well.
- Building trustGenerosity builds trust and strengthens relationships.
Techstars' "Give First" mentality is an outstanding example of the quality of generosity. By placing the principles of giving, support, and trust at its core, Techstars creates a culture that fosters innovation, growth, and collaboration. This philosophy shows how true generosity can strengthen and transform not only individuals but entire communities.