Miami University's Redhawk Launch Accelerator has announced the members of its latest cohort as six startups – spanning blockchain technology to consumer packaged goods – were selected to take part in the 14-week program.
Redhawk Launch, a seed-stage accelerator for Miami University student-led startups with high growth potential, said the class will launch this spring semester, which began Jan. 23.
Participating founders receive one-on-one mentoring from Miami’s pool of more than 700 startup and business professionals across the U.S., and a $750 grant to fund operations and customer acquisition.
During a culminating pitch competition, the companies get the opportunity to make at least one investor pitch to more than 100 accelerator directors, angel investors and venture capitalists from more than 20 states.
This is Redhawk Launch Accelerator's eighth cohort. Daniel Jones, Miami’s associate director of community engagement and external relations, said it stands as one of its most diverse classes. The founders hail from a variety of backgrounds and experiences with companies that range from the earliest stage of formation to “those on the brink of sale or acquisition,” he said.
Jones and Mark Lacker, faculty in the Miami University department of entrepreneurship, co-led the program, based at Cohatch in Hyde Park and Union Hall in Over-the-Rhine.
“Once again, student founders at Miami have brought more than ideas or theoretical businesses to the table – these are revenue-generating ventures that are already making an impact on the real world, not just in Oxford but across the country,” Jones said in a release.
The companies selected include:
- Coarse Culture, led by founder VaLanDria Smith-Lash, class of 2023, speech pathology and audiology: Coarse Culture is an all-natural line of plant-based, whipped shea butter products. Its vegan whipped shea butter comes in six fragrances and offers numerous benefits for hair and skin.
- TransVault, led by Timothy Eltschlager Jr., co-CEO, class of 2023, finance; Dennis Cowell, chief technology officer, class of 2023, mechanical engineering; and Matthew Ribeiro, chief financial officer, class of 2023, finance: Transvault is an end-to-end logistical security company for semi-truck (or similar) trailers. Currently, there is no security company on the market that locks truck trailers remotely from the inside. Either the truck driver or origin company will be able to lock the trailer while in a geofenced area. The goal is to streamline end-to-end truck security for this segment.
- Loyal3Labs, led by Caleb Anderson, technical lead, class of 2023, computer science: Loyal3Labs improves digital loyalty programs through the deployment of blockchain technologies. With Loyal3Labs, companies can increase profits, engage their most loyal customers and secure company growth through the use of tokenized loyalty programs.
- Flashpass, led by founder Emil Barr, class of 2024, economics: Flashpass is an online social media certification built for universities and startup accelerators. The online course is written by an instructional designer, taught by subject matter experts and updated monthly to create a relevant and engaging learning experience. The platform also offers white label options and custom pricing for corporations and community colleges.
- Virra, led by co-founder and head of marketing, Andre Farinazo Jr., class of 2023, marketing; and Lukas Murdock, head of front-end development, class of 2023, marketing: Virra builds software and offers marketing services for independent creators (specifically musicians) and helps them build a monetizable audience. During the past five years, the company has worked with more than 6,000 independent artists and helped them get in front of more than 150 million new listeners on platforms like Spotify, YouTube and Instagram. Virra has also created tools used by hundreds of artists to connect with influencers for their content. This is Virra’s second stint in the accelerator.
- Crypto Speedway, led by founder Jack Garner, class of 2026, major undecided: Crypto Speedway offers a one-of-a-kind racing experience where players can build and customize their own NFT cars. Users can then race those cars to compete in a racing metaverse. The platform also features a monthly subscription plan that allows users to race the company’s fleet of cars without the need to purchase an NFT. The goal is to modernize the world of racing through the use of blockchain technology and provide a fun and engaging experience for all.
Programming takes place during the spring semester and will focus on benchmarking and goal setting, customer interviews and feedback, prototype development and testing, product-market fit, sales and marketing, crowdfunding and venture capital.
In the previous cohort, three companies – Bloxsmith, Step Up Social and Virra – closed pre-seed/seed rounds totaling more than $300,000, including investments by Dorm Room Fund, Rough Draft Ventures and Soma Capital.
A fourth company, Space Foundry, was sold to a German tech company in December, and companies in the class closed 2022 with more than $1 million in combined revenues.
Other notable accelerator alum include Portland-based Oros, a materials technology company that markets advanced thermal materials and high-performance, low-impact outerwear; Minneapolis-based Avari XR, an extended reality platform for pediatric palliative care and therapy; and Columbus-based Zandaland, a web accessible application for pediatric cancer patients ages 4-10.
Collectively, RedHawk Launch Accelerator graduates have raised more than $50 million in follow-on funding since 2015.
