News from Westchester’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Featuring news, entrepreneur profiles, and mentorship and growth opportunities

Element 46 Tech Accelerator Powered by Cela Innovation

Announces Members of New Cohort

The Element 46 Tech Accelerator Powered by Cela Innovation, Westchester County’s full-scale startup accelerator program, announced the 11 Westchester-based tech startup companies selected for the Spring 2023 Cohort. The Accelerator participants will receive support with sales, product development, marketing, fundraising, operations, and management. Participants will also make meaningful connections with technology experts, experienced entrepreneurs, and funders of many kinds.

The members of Element 46’s fourth cohort, which includes eight MWBEs and six female founders are:

Diadem Capital, Diadem is a Funding Marketplace connecting exceptional founders to venture capital and venture debt.

Avi, Avi is a mobile app for high-earning Millennial and Gen Z travelers that desire a seamless travel experience.

Makro Fitness and Nutrition, Makro is a premium app service that helps busy professionals conquer their health and fitness goals without sacrificing the foods that they enjoy.

E-ko by DATIES, E-ko by DATIES is a community organization-focused app connecting Hudson Valley and Capital Region creatives to monetary and performance opportunities within the tri-state area, primarily focusing on disadvantaged communities.

Chuck, Chuck is a platform for sports fans who need both curated content and social engagement in order to fully experience the joy and community of sports.

Sinfonik, Sinfonik makes it easier for songwriters, businesses and local government entities to license and promote songs.

MagicPolygon app allows teachers, kids, and their families to record themselves narrating an interactive story - or live stream a storytelling session.

ClubGrub, We're a mobile ordering solution for golf courses so you can order food & drinks on the course and get it delivered.

Green Rush By Design is an online educational platform to help New York residents find a path in the marijuana industry.

Greenfire, We have built a cryptocurrency wallet with bookkeeping and accounting capabilities for DeFi and the Web3 space to solve the problem of proper tracking, reconciling and reporting of cryptocurrency activity for general business practices and tax reconciliation.

Paragon, Paragon is the ultimate community operating system. Our platform helps you create, build, and manage your network.

Launch1000 Alum Donald Stevens Expands Business,

A Better Wash Opens New Location at Westchester Mall

A Better Wash celebrated the grand opening of their new onsite location at the Westchester Mall this past Saturday, April 1. They are located at the Parking Garage Level 1 Area B. Owner Donald Stevens is an alum of Launch1000.

Launch1000 Alums Featured in Westfair

Orchid & Elm bloomed from a friendship that started between Rose Marie Melda and Leigh Fludd-Smith in 2021 when they participated in the County’s Launch1000 entrepreneurship education program. Leigh then brought in Diandra Sklar and Lorraine DeMaio, and this diverse group not only sells their own restored furniture in the Croton-on-Hudson boutique, but also supports other entrepreneurs and small businesses in the process.

These inspiring women have been featured in a recent article in Westfair about local female entrepreneurs in the design space.

Time is Running Out to Apply for Launch1000

Deadline: April 14

Are you an entrepreneur in Westchester County struggling to get your business off the ground? Launch1000 can help.

This FREE action based entrepreneurship education program offers:

1-to-1 feedback from an experienced coach
A comprehensive, self-paced online program
A proven framework for success

Don’t wait any longer – apply now and launch your dream business today! Deadline to apply is April 14.

Attention Launchers: Share Your Stories!

The Office of Economic Development is proud to help our Launchers share their stories. If you would like to be considered for future publicity opportunities, please take a few moments to complete this form.

SBDC Entrepreneurship Webinars

Upstate Capital: Bank Volatility Impact Survey & Resources

Silicon Valley Bank's failure on March 10 caused shock waves that continue to ripple through the US banking system. Many companies, startups and investment firms alike, are facing challenges in a funding environment that is already difficult.

Upstate Capital is gathering information through an Impact Survey to help them better understand the implications of the current situation so they can best advocate for people and companies in the community. Please share your stories!

In addition, Upstate Capital has compiled a list of resources for short-term financing, strategic advice, templates and guidance.

Apply to Become a Rally Social Enterprise Accelerator

Summer 2023 Fellow

Are you a social entrepreneur thinking about or currently deploying an innovative for-profit or nonprofit solution to solve a tough social problem? Apply to become one of Rally’s Social Enterprise Accelerator’s Summer 2023 Fellows!

Rally's social enterprise accelerator aims to help local, national, and international entrepreneurs transform their early-stage work into sustainable ventures that create positive and measurable social or environmental change. Twice a year, they invite promising social entrepreneurs in the early stage of developing their ventures to join the four-month accelerator as Rally Fellows.

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