A Greater Cincinnati-based accelerator for women-owned startups has announced its latest cohort, and the class includes a floral company, an executive leadership coaching upstart and a sustainable farming business.
Aviatra Accelerators, a Covington-based nonprofit, said 10 female business owners are participating in its Momentum Accelerator. The 10-week program is tailored to entrepreneurs who have been in business for one to five years, with total revenue of more than $50,000 and ambitions to grow.
The entrepreneurs are slated to pitch their ideas – marking the program’s completion – during a public Flight Night competition at Newport Car Barn Aug. 31.
As a Momentum participant, each receives $1,000 of in-kind services, ranging from legal consultation, marketing assistance, accounting expertise and more.
The winner of the Flight Night will receive an additional cash prize of $1,000.
The female entrepreneurs include:
- Cindy and Hannah Capannari, owners of Playful Wanderings, a mother-daughter team that provides outdoor nature programs to help kids connect to nature so they can build confidence, have fun and learn about the environment.
- Emily Ryan, owner of Petal & Stem, a full-service, philanthropic floral company specializing in weddings, events and build-your-own-bouquet classes.
- Amy Clark, owner of Amy K. Clark Design, designs, fabricates and installs custom window treatments and upholstered goods for clients.
- Jessica Wright, owner of Wright Workforce Solutions, provides human resources services to small business, startups and entrepreneurs while offering project management assistance to nonprofits.
- Ashley Meenach, owner of Boundless Beauty, a styling service that provides makeup, hairstyling and wardrobe rentals.
- Jennifer Myka, biologist, teacher and owner of Free Radical Ranch, a 54-acre farm that provides farm stays, tours, science and educational programs about animals and sustainable farming.
- Alexia Zigoris, owner of Alexia Zigoris Coaching, an executive leadership coach helping individuals and teams.
- Jacqueline Mayer, lawyer and owner of Mayer Law, a criminal defense firm in Northern Kentucky.
- Jessica Sheldon, photographer and owner of Cityscape Tiles, developed a proprietary process to transfer her travel images onto ceramic tiles, creating art for gifts and home decor.
During the Momentum program, the women entrepreneurs work to create a business plan with a three-year financial projection, learn from an assigned Score mentor and participate in networking and coaching taught by local experts.
Aviatra Accelerators, formerly Bad Girl Ventures, serves the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton markets. In addition to its Momentum program, Aviatra offers online new business programs, startup bootcamps, one-on-one coaching and workshops.
Since its founding in 2010, Aviatra has helped more than 3,000 female entrepreneurs create 15,000 jobs, and its alumni have generated more than $1 billion in earned revenue.
