Ascender, an East Liberty-based startup accelerator organization, has announced the 10 startups that are featured as part of its 2022-2023 incubator cohort.
Over the course of the next 12 months, Ascender will offer these early-stage companies up to $5,000 in equity-free investment. The organization also said it provides each startup with more than $12,000 in business assistance, which includes coaching, mentoring, tailored education programming and connections to its 90-person alumni network. Ascender also offers full membership to its coworking space to each startup in the cohort.
"Our approach is very much tailored to the uniqueness of each cohort, down to the individual, and this year is no different," Nadyli Nuñez, executive director of Ascender, said in a post shared on Medium. "Not only are the founders determined to make their businesses succeed, but they’re always first to offer support to their cohort peers. That’s what I’m talking about!"
Ascender said its cohort of 10 startups from last year went on to raise $1.8 million in combined revenue and additional investment sources. Companies selected into its cohort program come from a "broad range of industries" and they do not have to make plans to take on venture capital in the future in order to be selected.
This year's cohort includes businesses that are creating craft beverages or health technology but also entertainment providers and those looking to offer social impact models for other businesses. Ascender said 70% of its founders in the cohort identify as being among a minority population group.
The startups selected in this year's cohort are listed alphabetically below:
