Over the course of a 20+ year career in the tech startup space, Jason Towns has mentored and invested in hundreds of courageous entrepreneurs, solving problems around the globe. He previously served as Managing Director at Techstars, one of the world’s largest early stage startup investors, where led efforts to create a more inclusive portfolio and investor base as a means to driving better returns. While at Techstars, he also led the Future of Longevity Accelerator, a partnership with Pivotal Ventures, the investment and incubation company created by Melinda Gates.

Towns is passionate about driving capital and resources into overlooked innovation ecosystems. Prior to his time at Techstars, Towns ran Groundwork Ventures, a startup support organization and served as Director of Entrepreneurship at Code2040 in San Francisco, where he launched the Google Residency. He’s also led work with the Uncharted Social Impact Accelerator to support early-stage agriculture tech innovation in Durban, South Africa.

Towns has served as a Senior Advisor at the Millennial Policy Initiative’s Commission on the Future of Work. He’s also received numerous professional distinctions such as being named to The Root's list of the 100 Most Influential African Americans, The Digital Diversity Network Change Agent Award, The Registry's 40 Under 40 in Silicon Valley, MIPAD’s 100 Most Influential People in the African Diaspora, and Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 list. Towns was also recently featured in the award-winning documentary, Broken Chains. He appreciates all of the hard earned accolades, however his volunteer work at organizations like Black Girls Code and The Hidden Genius Project is what brings him the most joy.

Towns is a connoisseur of fine 90’s era hiphop music, the proud uncle of 2 nephews and a niece and dog dad to a 50 lb American Bully named Bucky.

Startup, Emerging markets, Social Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurs, Diversity, Diversity Topics, Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, Hip Hop, Culture, Leadership, Technology, Business, Black Heritage, DEI