Techstars Chicago has revealed the next 10 companies accepted into its newest cohort.
The startup accelerator, known for mentoring fast-growing local companies like SpotHero and LogicGate, provides startups with programming, mentoring and $120,000. It culminates in a demo day that will take place in February 2021.
Because of the program’s completely virtual nature this year, Techstars Chicago accepted startups from outside of Chicago, though most of the founders hail from the Midwest.
“The idea for me was to pull them in,” said Neal Sáles-Griffin, the managing director of Techstars Chicago. “Now they’re going to be Chicago companies.”
Each company earned acceptance into Techstars Chicago by sharing a convincing vision of how the world will become a better place when their business succeeds.
Techstars Chicago, which operates cohorts across the country, was originally founded in Colorado in 2006 and launched a Chicago operation in 2013.
This latest class includes startups from across industries, including transportation; friendship and love; beauty; health care and fitness; home improvement; finance; artificial intelligence; and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Besides existing in a diverse set of industries, the class is also diverse by race, gender and background, Sáles-Griffin said.
“I’m really proud of the class,” he said. “It’s the most diverse Techstars Chicago class we’ve ever had.”
Meet the 10 startups below:
Bird: The startup aims to provide affordable and personalized coaching to athletes by connecting coaches and athletes to each other. Coaches can set up training programs for athletes and track their progress on Bird's online platform.
CAPE Inclusion: Specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion, Denver-based CAPE offers a comprehensive platform to support achieving these types of initiatives, simplifying the process, and increasing the ability to maximize DEI impact.
Cinta Color: Cinta, based in San Francisco, has created a service for people to order hair coloring kits to their home. The startup makes a dye solution tailored to each customer and provides detailed instructions so they can dye their hair themselves.
DocuMentor: The Indianapolis-based startup has built an easy-to-use and affordable electronic visit verification solution for in-home care providers that simplifies compliance and streamlines operations.
Eemerg Roadside Assistance Marketplace: Eemerg, based in St. Louis, is an open marketplace app assisting in connecting customers directly to roadside service providers during a roadside emergency, and advertises that its prices are lower than competitors.
Hiki: The word Hiki, which means “able” in Hawaiian, is a friendship and dating social platform for the Autistic community. Every part of Hiki, which is based in New York, has been built in collaboration with Autistic adults to ensure the app is sensory aware and truly representative of neurodivergent needs.
Improovy: Improovy’s platform allows users to easily hire contractors for home renovations projects. The Chicago startup says it can provides job quotes in 10 minutes with projects starting in as little as 24 hours. The Improovy system covers the entire renovation cycle from idea to completion.
MoneyVerbs: This fintech startup, based in Minneapolis, has built a financial wellness app that creates a space to freely talk about finances with others. Users can share challenges, curiosities and accomplishments, and work toward achieving financial goals.
Signal Cortex: The startup, based in Akron, Ohio, has built an intelligent enterprise voice assistant for workers across industries that allows them to receive notifications, update tasks and manage workflows without touching a single device.
Script Health: The startup, based in Chicago, makes a SaaS platform that allows pharmacies to prescribe tests and treatments.
