Milky Way Tech Hub has kicked off its 2024 national accelerator program with eight startups and a special guest speaker, venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton, founder and managing partner of Backstage Capital in Los Angeles.
Startups named to the accelerator program, themed #InnovationSzn, represent a variety of industries and use innovative approaches to solving pressing challenges. The program is a collaboration between the Milky Way Tech Hub, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and Milwaukee Turners.
The program is designed to equip startup founders with the abilities to incorporate AI into their businesses effectively and ethically. It will also foster growth through mentorship, guidance, and recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit in addressing real-world issues, according to the accelerator's website.
The accelerator takes place May 6-10 and May 13-17. Startups can earn an investment of up to $25,000 through the program.
Hamilton, an award-winning venture capital investor and advocate for access and opportunity, will join the #InnovationSzn startup founders for an exclusive fireside chat with Milky Way Tech Hub founder, Nadiyah Johnson. Hamilton's VC firm, Backstage Capital, is dedicated to investing in startups led by underrepresented founders.
"This accelerator is a cornerstone of our commitment to fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem where underestimated innovators can thrive," Johnson said in a press release. "The involvement of visionaries like Arlan Hamilton underscores the transformative potential of collaboration and mentorship within our community. By investing in these promising businesses, we're not just supporting innovation; we're catapulting legacies and creating a foundation for generational wealth that can reshape our society for the better."
Startups participating in the accelerator are:
- Tip a ScRxipt, Milwaukee — A fintech solution focused on increasing medication adherence through controlled-expense debit cards.
- MKEBlack, Milwaukee — Dedicated to promoting Black businesses and culture to bridge the racial wealth gap.
- AppEase, Green Bay — Enhancing health care through efficient digital exchanges of medical data.
- kinkofa, Austin, Texas — A platform dedicated to preserving unique family stories within the Black community.
- International Travel Advisor, Milwaukee — Crafting personalized transition plans for aspiring digital nomads.
- eCourtReporters, Burlington — Facilitating direct connections between law firms and certified legal support services.
- MuSample, Milwaukee — Offering educational content and personalized consultancy for musicians.
- staythanks, Milwaukee — Revolutionizing the short-term rental experience by integrating local rewards.
The Milky Way Tech Hub is a Milwaukee-based social impact initiative dedicated to creating equitable opportunities in the tech industry. It is the social impact arm of Jet Constellations, Nadiyah's software development company.
