David Cohen Sets LinkedIn Comments "Connections Only"

BOULDER, Colo. — After nearly a year of public and private pressure, David Cohen, CEO of Techstars, has set the comments on a LinkedIn post to “connections only,” a move observers say signals discomfort with ongoing scrutiny from alumni. The post followed a broader discussion about transparency during Cohen’s tenure at the accelerator, including a blog post in which Cohen emphasized transparency as a priority for leadership and growth, and coverage in the Colorado Sun highlighting Techstars’ operations and founder experiences.

The scrutiny stems from ongoing documentation of alleged mismanagement and inflated portfolio valuations by the accelerator. In parallel, observers cite previous disputes involving other companies, including Elly Health, where founders claim they were forced into equity arrangements despite completing milestone work ahead of schedule. These incidents, analysts say, illustrate patterns of leadership avoiding accountability and prioritizing optics over engagement with stakeholders.

Industry observers note that Cohen’s adjustment to his LinkedIn settings — effectively limiting who can comment — is unusual for a founder and accelerator leader with a high-profile network. It marks the first visible instance in which alumni pressure appears to have influenced the CEO’s public behavior. Analysts suggest this could be an early sign of alumni organizing having tangible effects on leadership transparency.