More Than 100 Jobs in Orlando Created by Starter Studio Graduates
Starter Studio graduates
have given more than 100 jobs in Orlando since its launch in November 2013. All
of its 4 classes have raised a combined amount of $3 million in capital.
Starter Studio, Orlando's
First Tech Business Accelerator, provides education, mentorship, legal and
financial resources and the right culture to help startup businesses in Orlando
grow through a 3-month training program - and it’s all free!
"It costs the companies
nothing; we are not taking any equity position in them, and we are not giving
them any money. Basically, this is something we are doing for the community,”
says Co-founder Dan McGaw, 29, a high-tech marketing consultant.
Other co-founders include
Gregg Pollack, founder of Orlando start-ups Envy Labs LLC and Code School LLC;
Orrett Davis, a venture-capital expert and former analyst for Arsenal Venture
Partners of Orlando; Christine Ortiz, executive director of the Lawton Chiles
Preparatory School for the Gifted and Talented; and Shakirra Meghjee, an
entrepreneur and business consultant.
Starter Studio is now
preparing to welcome its fifth class of startups this February, March, and
April 2016. The groups of startups will include businesses in the fields of
wearables, travel and mobile app industries.
Here is a list of companies
that will make up the fifth class at Starter Studio.
Advancing Technologies: A
wearable that collects real-time data related to detecting concussion
Big Box Of: A platform that
allows shoppers buy local goods from a national venue
ChangeMaker: Connects
individuals to charitable causes they are interested in or care about
MouseMelon: a computer mouse
manufacturer which specializes in devices for virtual reality users, gamers,
disabled people, and wounded veterans.
MoversAtlas: A company that
gives people advice about the new area they will be moving into.
SQYGL: A multi-city travel
platform.
Style Squad: Style adviser
mobile application that crowdsources feedback.
Zuke Music: A mobile and Web
application for musicians to create and deliver music.
Starter Studio helps
startups by matching them with successful and experienced mentors who will
guide them through their startup and provide valuable insights based on their
experiences.
Classes get to listen to
successful entrepreneurs as they tell stories of their struggles and successes
during Founder Talks hosted by Starter Studio.
The program also features
Investor Talks, where startups learn from investors some tips on how to win
funding and raise capital.
Starter Studio also provides
free access to a co-working space in downtown Orlando called “Canvs.”
Anyone who has an idea,
prototype, product, or needs more guidance with their existing business and
just wants to take their business to the next level can apply in Starter
Studio.
This program is also for
entrepreneurs who want to jumpstart or fine-tune their businesses, learn better
marketing methods or acquire basic business skills.
Last year, Starter Studio
received a record 72 applications — more than double the previous class.
Executive director Donna Mackenzie and others spent weeks going through
applicants’ papers to select only 10 companies that would be part of the
program's 4th class.
According to Starter Studio co-founder Gregg Pollack, the
criteria for choosing the startups include:
Were the entrepreneurs able
to clearly explain their idea for their core business based on technology?
Are the members on their
team enough and capable to produce and ship a product?
Is the company at the right
stage to grow and are they coachable?
Mackenzie said "We can
achieve more if we can provide access to more early seed funding. That brings
resources to help them (startups) go further, faster."
Mackenzie said growing those
funding will keep, grow, and increase businesses in Orlando.
Starter Studio has attracted
local businesses in Orlando as sponsors such as Rollins College's Center for
Advanced Entrepreneurship; the city of Orlando's Creative Village
public-private initiative; UCF's Business Incubation Program; and the Metro
Orlando Economic Development Commission. Private-sector sponsors include TriNet
Inc., a human-resources firm; the Cross, Fernandez & Riley accounting firm;
venVelo LLC, a startup investment fund; and Pollack's two companies.
With the help of Starter
Studio and its sponsors, many have found success since graduating from the
program. Startups such as Fattmerchant — a subscription-based payment processor
based in Orlando — recently landed a $750,000 venture capital deal and Blog
Talk TV signed 20-episode deal with Bright House Networks.
With all the free help,
guidance, mentoring, and sourcing of seed funding they have received from the
program, the best way that Starter Studio graduates are paying it forward is by
continuously providing more jobs in Orlando FL and making the local economy
more vibrant.
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