The TechStars startup incubator is teaming up with Twilio—a startup that sells a platform for building apps that interact with cell phones or landlines—to sponsor an app contest where the first prize is a meeting with startup mentors and investors.

Developers are invited to submit proposals for apps that uses the Twilio A.P.I. (Application Programming Interface) along with at least one A.P.I. or product from any TechStars company.

Twilio has a track record of powering hot apps, and the company has had success with contests before. Twilio sponsored the hack day at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference that produced one of New York's star startups--GroupMe, which built a way for feature and smart phone users to have a group conversation via text message.

The other sponsor, TechStars, is based in Boulder but recently opened an incubator in New York City.

ajeffries [at] observer.com | @adrjeffries