A handful of student entrepreneurs have taken their first step on their journey through Southern Methodist University’s revamped business accelerator program.
On Friday, 15 startups took to the pitch competition stage, in front of leaders in the innovation space, for a shot at cash and in-kind prizes. The startups were also vying for a chance to be accelerated into the program’s top tier and a chance at $50,000.
Five companies took home prize money. Check them out below. Prize amounts include cash and in-kind prizes.
- First Place ($10,000): Roman 413 – a maker of plant-based pelvic health products.
- Second Place ($5,400): Super Dad – an online platform for fathers to connect, learn and create actionable plans before their partners give birth.
- Third Place: ($4,400): OrcaChat – an e-commerce software platform that allows shoppers to connect with other people who have bought the same products they’re eyeing.
- Fourth Place ($3,900): City Health Tech – a handwashing-focused startup with a device that displays entertaining content to help people wash their hands properly.
- Fifth Place ($3,900): Horizon’s Edge – an electric vertical take-off and landing manufacturer.
Those five startups are now on the Tier I track of the accelerator program. Along with the 10 companies in the Tier II track, they will be partnered with mentors in their industry and work to develop a network and viable business plan. However, the Tier I companies will be taking the knowledge they gain and making new pitches at SMU’s Startup Launch Competition in March, where $50,000 will be up for grabs.
SMU’s student-led Cox Graduate Entrepreneurship Club launched its overhauled Business Accelerator Program in August, which is replacing the pitch competitions the university held in the past. According to the club’s President Valencia Harris, the goal is to provide more support and resources to participants in the program – something that came about from talking with past Business Plan Competition winners.
“You can't build a business without getting a diverse perspective and getting a big vision,” Harris previously told NTX Inno. “The idea is to get them into the launch phase, and you can't do it alone.”
The university’s accelerator and pitch competition aren’t the only things that are changing on the more than 100-year-old campus. As part of a broader $1.5 billion fundraising campaign, of which SMU has $654 million committed so far, the university is hoping to achieve the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education's R1 classification. The designation would increase the institution's prestige while increasing its ability to attract top minds.
Meet the 10 companies in the accelerator program’s Tier II below.
- Spiked – a health-focused alcoholic seltzer brand.
- Bazaar – a blockchain-managed shopping marketplace.
- Commerce Navigator – an e-commerce sales management and tracking platform.
- Borrow – a peer-to-peer rental marketplace.
- The Social Panacea – a social media app geared toward helping university students make friends through similar interests.
- CollegePlus – a platform with resources for high schoolers to navigate the college admissions process.
- Pincipia Technologies – an information software company for retail investors.
- Treasurr – a geolocation app focused on creating “real-life treasure hunting experiences.”
- spotBOX – A menstruation-focused edtech platform and product company.
- The Labor Exchange – a platform helping employers reskill or upskill their workers.
