Carly Forcade

Carly Murphy-Forcade is a seasoned professional with a passion for accelerating startups to success.

Currently serving as a Program Manager at Techstars, a prominent pre-seed investor, Carly has been an integral part of the startup ecosystem since 2016, transitioning from a founder to a strategic operator.

Her experience includes founding and participating in startup accelerator programs, such as winning an equity-free grant and the 'Grit' Award in 2017, running the UMass Startup Accelerator Program in 2018, and taking on program leadership roles in various accelerator programs in partnership with UMass and VVM.

From 2020 to 2021, Carly served as the Program Director for The CSVP in collaboration with UMass and VVM, before becoming a Strategic Operator and Investor with Techstars Anywhere from 2021 onwards.

Carly's academic background includes a Master of Education (MEd) in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, as well as studies in International Relations and Sociology at Mount Holyoke College and Universidad de Sevilla.

Throughout her career, Carly has held key positions in organizations like Techstars Anywhere Accelerator, Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and Valley Venture Mentors, gaining a wealth of experience in program management, operations, and student engagement.

Her past roles include Program Director, Program Manager, Advisor, Founder and CEO, and various other leadership positions in entrepreneurship, marketing, and social media.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Carly enjoys traveling to explore different cultures, spending time outdoors, and cherishing moments with loved ones.