Flywheel is a startup accelerator dedicated to empowering early-stage founders who are committed to creating a more equitable and sustainable community. They offer catalytic coaching, subject matter expertise, collaborative learning, and access to a robust network of startup resources to help social entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. As a proud GCP Partner, they are thrilled to announce that applications for their Fall 2024 SustainableCincy Accelerator Program are now open! This 8-week hybrid accelerator is designed to nurture early-stage social impact ventures working to address environmental challenges. 

Program Highlights: 

• Duration: 8 weeks of intensive learning and growth 
• Kickoff in September
• Format: Hybrid (in-person pitch practice sessions and virtual workshops) 
• Mentorship: Guidance from a dedicated team of 2-3 FlyWheel coaches 
• Investment: A $6,000-$8,000 investment 

Important Dates 

• Application Deadline: September 6th 
• Interviews: September 9th-18th 

Focus Areas: Their program aims to serve startups that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on areas such as: 

• Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure 
• Sustainable Cities and Communities 
• Affordable and Clean Energy 
• Responsible Consumption and Production 
• Environmental Justice 

As a result of Cincinnati's inclusion in the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative, the City and OES are able to welcome the first members of the Innovation Team (i-team), Kali Pearce and Hoda Bandeh-Ahmadi! Special thanks to the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at John Hopkins for the creation and support of these roles. They will work alongside the City to co-create solutions to pressing challenges at the intersection of climate change and racial equity.

Kali, the i-team director, brings an MPH in biostatistics and epidemiology, an MBA in entrepreneurship from Washington University in St. Louis, and a BBA in finance from the University of Cincinnati. She is an expert in cross-sector innovation developed through work in community and economic development, entrepreneurial consulting, community and labor organizing, and project management in multiple industries with theoretical expertise in collective liberation and public mental health.

Hoda, the civic designer, graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a PhD and MA in Anthropology and holds a BA in Anthropology from UC Berkeley and brings over a decade of ethnographic research on systems of social power in America and abroad to Johns Hopkins and the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative. At the University of Michigan, Hoda managed partnerships with over 20 hospitals around the country as Director of Social Research at the Center for Surgical Training and Research (C-STAR) and the Medical Education Design Lab (MEDLab). In addition, Hoda has been a Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Beloit College and Consultant for the California Energy Commission. 

They are excited to bring their expertise and innovative ideas to the City of Cincinnati. Special thanks to the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation for the creation of these roles. Join us in welcoming Kali and Hoda!

The City of Cincinnati and community-based organizations Green Umbrella, Groundwork Ohio River Valley, and Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, was accepted to participate in the Center for Regenerative Solutions Green Infrastructure Accelerator. This program will take place between September-December 2024 and provides group learning modules aimed to help municipalities and organizations advance equity-centered green infrastructure solutions in their communities. Modules of the GSI Accelerator include:

 

• Green Infrastructure as Equity-centered Climate & Community Action 
• Demonstrating Success - Case Studies in Leading Approaches to Community Driven Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)
• Using Policy to Drive Change: Examples of Leading Edge GSI Policy