This summer, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship launched the Accelerator Program for entrepreneurs from across the University of Chicago campus. Modeled after nationally recognized accelerators, the Accelerator Program gave a select group of teams the opportunity to work on their businesses in a collaborative and dynamic environment.
Ten start-ups were selected through a competitive selection process to participate in the program, receiving capital, mentorship, and programmatic resources to help drive their businesses forward. Each team received office space, access to Polsky Center staff, coaching from faculty, alumni entrepreneurs, and Chicago-area investor mentors. Teams attended programming designed to help them overcome manyof the hurdles to launching a business.
The program culminated last week with Demo Day at the University of Chicago, when the class presented their ventures to a packed room of investors, entrepreneurs, faculty, media, and members of the Chicago entrepreneurial community. The companies spanned a wide range of industries, from web services, to medical apparel, to a Japanese creative arts agency.
The teams, several of which participated in our New Venture Challenge and Social New Venture Challenge last spring, showcased the progress they made over the 10-week program. Some of the companies pivoted and implemented new business models; others secured new clients or built prototypes, and even met with potential investors across the country. The entrepreneurs demonstrated how much they learned over the past couple of months and set the bar high for future Accelerator Program teams!
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Although Demo Day signified the completion of the entrepreneurs’ formal work through the program, each team will continue to receive support from the Polsky Center as well as access to resources and programming. Many of the following teams are on the verge of exciting developments, so stay tuned to here, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates on the inaugural class.
Congrats again to this year’s class:
CrowdCoin
It should never take 33 emails to schedule a meeting. During the AP, the CrowdCoin team learned just how difficult it can be to coordinate schedules over email, and is now creating a tool that allows users to better track their schedules and coordinate with others.
EditHuddle
Edit Huddle is a web service that monitors and improves the quality of content for blog authors and other web publishers by allowing readers to quickly and discreetly submit feedback when they see mistakes. Edit Huddle was a finalist in the 2011-12 Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge. www.edithuddle.com
Fortify
Fortify is dedicated to ending the incidence of iron deficiency anemia, the most widespread nutritional disorder in the world, by creating a replicable system of fortifying commonly consumed, healthy foods with iron and other nutrients. Fortify compliments existing nutritional interventions, and provides a sustainable solution to micronutrient malnutrition. Fortify is starting with processed tomato products in Nigeria. Fortify was awarded second place in the 2011-12 Social New Venture Challenge.
HireBrite
HireBrite helps growing tech companies find and hire students from top universities, giving employers better access to this talent pool through its deep ties into career services and student groups, and on-campus presentations. HireBrite’s partners include Harvard University, University of Chicago and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. HireBrite currently works with over 40 employers, many of whom have successfully recruited students for both full-time jobs and summer internships. HireBrite was a finalist in the 2011-12 Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge. www.hirebrite.com
Kip Solutions
Kip Solutions helps organizations find and engage with the right people on social media, allowing them to connect to new customers, donors, and advocates. Kip Solutions has been featured on Inc. Magazine, Boston Globe, NBC and many others. Kip Solutions was named one of America’s Coolest College Start-ups by Inc. Magazine. www.kipsolutions.co
Moneythink
Moneythink is a White-House-recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing financial education and peer-mentorship to urban 11th- and 12th-graders in the United States. Its unique model uses customized curricula and college volunteers to make financial decision-making and career planning practical, relevant, and fun for urban high school students entering the real world. Founded by University of Chicago students in 2009 as a small student club, Moneythink has expanded to become a national movement, with chapters at 16 universities across the nation. Moneythink was a finalist in the 2011-12 Social New Venture Challenge. www.moneythink.org
NV Apparel
NV Apparel is a fashionable medical apparel company, providing a stylish alternative to scrubs and uniforms. Our styles will be appealing and appropriate to all healthcare professionals, from the conservative hospital nurse to the medical spa practitioner with few medical safety restrictions on styles.
ORIGAMI Inc.
ORIGAMI offers Japanese style on demand by extensive network of Japanese artists for online game and other industries. ORIGAMI provides creative imagery such as character design, item design, and background design by micro-stock online service and face-to-face negotiation business, bridging a huge gap between the Japanese artists and the rest of the world. ORIGAMI Inc. participated in the 2011-12 Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge. https://origamification.com
Site Diagnostics
Mastitis, an infection in the cow’s udder, costs the dairy industry $10B globally, $2B in the US. SiteDiagnostics is developing BMSiteTest, an accurate and easy to use rapid “cow-side” test that allows a farmer to see results within two hours. BMSiteTest will allow for accurate diagnosis and application of targeted treatment within a few hours rather than a few days. Site Diagnostics was a finalist in the 2011-12 Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge.
ZipFit.me
ZipFit.me is the Apple store of apparel. They make shopping for clothing simple and fun using their fi t technology. They integrate an online store and centralized distribution with showroom shops. ZipFit.me’s initial apparel segment is men’s premium denim.. ZipFit.me was a finalist in the 2011-12 Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge. www.zipfit.me
