South Bend Pre-Accelerator Graduates Second Cohort
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowStartup South Bend – Elkhart, an initiative of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership, finished its second pre-accelerator program. The 10-week program, which is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs refine their ideas, graduated eight participating companies.
The virtual, cohort-based program connects entrepreneurs with subject matter experts, mentoring sessions and educational workshops. After completing the program, the organization says participants are eligible for up to $2,000 in grant funding to advance their products.
“This Pre-Accelerator program allows early-stage entrepreneurs to connect with peers and mentors in our region’s startup community,” said Patrick Jones, program facilitator. “Every participant has the opportunity to learn together, see the struggles that startups are facing, and help to work through them, which is extremely valuable. It’s about building up the entrepreneurial ecosystem, everyone working together.”
Graduates of the program’s second round include:
- Nich Lampson, Agape Health
- Aaron McGuin and Connor Keaveney, ArrowWay
- Kevin Patel, Calm TeleHealth
- Leslie Pinson, Local Spirit
- Kurt Meyer, Medata
- Kelley Rich and Lisa Vetne, Purple Nation
- Milagros Ramirez and Anthony Esplin, Sleep Easy
- Jude Chagas Pereira and Gil Laware, Wizly
“The Startup South Bend – Elkhart Pre-Accelerator program allows early-stage entrepreneurs to take their startup idea from a concept to a viable business opportunity,” said Regina Emberton, president of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership. “The goal of this program is to not only prepare high-growth startups for a formal accelerator program or an initial investment round, but to also increase our regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, connecting entrepreneurs to each other and to mentors.”
The organization says the program will be offered three times during 2021 in partnership with Indianapolis-based Elevate Ventures.