Six startups just began UpTech accelerator’s rigorous 4+1 month program, which aims to develop investor- and market-ready startups through education and mentorship. The cohort includes Cincinnati startups as well as startups from Canada, New York, San Francisco and Austin.
“Every year brings a new set of startup founders who bring with them diverse perspectives and a wealth of experience,” said UpTech Managing Director JB Woodruff in a press release. “This year is no exception, as we’re fortunate to again have such fantastic talent coming to our region from all over the world. I look forward to watching their growth and achievements over the next few months as they get to know our StartupCincy community.”
The accelerator’s dedicated team of professionals with backgrounds in accounting, banking, legal and sales and marketing will assist the startups in their development of relevant areas of business such as marketing and fundraising, market research, and pitching their company to investors and clients.
While UpTech focuses on B2B, data-driven startups, the selected set of startups for UpTech 7 have a varied range of specialties. The cohort includes:
- Birmo, Inc. Birmo, Inc. aims to maximize parking efficiency in urban areas through advanced data capture and analysis. With Birmo, Inc., municipalities can maximize parking revenue and planning while improving user experience for those parking. Birmo, Inc. was established in 2017 and is headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, which is outside of Toronto.
- Convolytics: The San Francisco-based company analyzes sales calls to unlock deep insights on improving calls to get better results. Convolytics gives sales reps instant feedback on how to communicate more effectively in order to close more deals. The startup was founded in 2017.
- OrgAnalytix: Founded in 2016, OrgAnalytix enables team leaders to harness the power of employee relationship networks when making team-related decisions to enhance performance and morale and reduce attrition. OrgAnalytix is a Cincinnati startup.
- Plantalytics: With the use to digital tools and record keeping, Plantalytics empowers alternative farmers to spend more time farming and less time planning while also ensuring food safety compliance. Also a graduate of The Brandery’s gBeta accelerator, Plantalytics was founded at the end of 2017 in Cincinnati.
- TruCircle: TruCircle uses video conferencing, training and client engagement tools to make it easier for mental health professionals to connect and engage with their clients. The startup was established in 2015 in Brooklyn, New York.
- Weeve: Weeve uses an AI-driven chatbot that directly interacts with employees in order to pull out better, more frequent insights to recommend actions for organizational improvement. With Weeve, companies can proactively define a cultural vision and organically identify issues. The Austin-based startup was founded in 2017.
Each member of UpTech 7 will receive free office space in UpTech’s Covington location as well as investment of up to $50,000. The startups also gain access to UpTech’s team of business support partners, mentors, community partners and a wealth of other resources. In addition to UpTech’s current partner St. Elizabeth Healthcare, UpTech added the City of Covington and Wunderfund as new partners this year.
Wunderfund will help solve a large hurdle common to many early stage startups: access to capital. The company is the first in Cincinnati that allows the public to invest in local businesses. The crowdfunding platform allows anyone with extra cash the ability to invest a small amount of money, such as $50, in the startup of their choice in exchange for a share in the startup.
Those interested in meeting the founders of UpTech 7 can head to the accelerator's Community Grill Out Sept. 27 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the UpTech Garage, where they can also enjoy some food and drinks.
