Collab Announcement: Meet the Nine Ventures in the Accelerator
Collab is proudly supported by the New Haven Innovation Collaborative, CTNext, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the Community Foundation Mission Investments Company (TCF-MIC), the City of New Haven, NewAlliance Foundation, and others — as well as a growing network of individual donors.
Key facts
Nine Connecticut-based ventures have been selected to participate in the Collab Accelerator.
Now in its fifth year, the Collab Accelerator is Collab’s flagship program to support New Haven and Connecticut entrepreneurs. It is a 12-week program that includes in-depth 1-on-1 coaching, an educational curriculum and a pro bono partner network.
Past graduates from the Collab Accelerator have gone on to create successful ventures, receive investment, create local jobs and more.
We announced today the nine Connecticut-based ventures that have been selected to participate in the Collab Accelerator.
The Collab Accelerator is our flagship program to support local entrepreneurs based in New Haven and Connecticut. Now in its fifth year, the Collab Accelerator has nearly 100 graduates. Of those graduates, 83% are people of color-led ventures and 74% are women-led ventures.
Selected ventures participate in the 12-week program that includes in-depth 1-on-1 coaching and an in-depth early-stage educational curriculum. During the program, the cohort of entrepreneurs will be connected to a mentor in our Collab Mentor Network and pro bono service providers in legal and accounting. At the conclusion of the program, entrepreneurs will showcase their ideas to community and industry leaders at a culminating graduation ceremony called the Collab Graduate Showcase.
“We’re thrilled to support this inspiring cohort of early-stage entrepreneurs. Our role as Collab is to provide them an intensive experience while in the Accelerator, as well as a deep net of support for the remainder of their growth journey.”
-Dawn Leaks, Executive Director of Collab
Meet The Cohort
Bright Raven Studios
Founder: Gabriela De Jesus
Bright Raven Studios creates locally handcrafted, small-batch pottery for those in Greater New Haven looking to elevate their living and rituals.
EC Potty
Founder: Ming Hui
EC Potty is a smart-potty designed to help busy parents teach their babies how to use the potty with confidence at an earlier age using sensors, cues, and signals.
Herjourns Leadership Solutions
Founder: Dr. Shanta Smith
Herjourns Leadership Solutions provides high-quality professional, research curriculum focused on reducing turnover, burnout rates and reducing school system costs
Hip-Hop Exec Academy
Founder: Christian Farrad
HipHop Exec Academy provides youth and prison-returning citizens with educational training programming and on-the-job opportunities in order to reroute them back on the path towards living their best life.
La Cocina de Sandra
Founders: Sandra & Elmer Galvez
La Cocina de Sandra seeks to deliver artisan, Guatemalan influenced dishes to the Greater New Haven Area, from our table to yours.
Recreate Collection
Founder: Monica Lee
Recreate Collection is a clothing company that makes fashion-forward, functional, and inclusive-sized designs made in the USA for the environmentally-conscious consumer.
Uncommon Work
Founder: Danielle Russell
Uncommon Work provides a simple and effective planner that helps entrepreneurs structure their day with a single guiding question.
Unique Mobile Notary Services
Founder: Melissa Lytrelle Singleton
Unique Mobile Notary Services provides a mobile office space that is convenient, is easily accessible, and provides vital office amenities for entrepreneurs and professionals to meet their business and notary needs.
Xander’s Cold Brew
Founder: Daniel Miller
Xander’s Cold Brew provides craft cold brew coffee that gives you a cafe level experience at work home or wherever you are, for less.
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Past graduates of the Collab Accelerator have gone on to create successful ventures – including receiving investment, creating local jobs and providing goods and services to the community. Notable graduates include Havenly, Sanctuary Kitchen Catering, Peels and Wheels Composting, The Notorious P.I.C. and many others.