757 Accelerate has announced a nine-startup cohort for its program, including companies specializing in customer service software and military transport.
The accelerator program, which is an offshoot of the 757 Collab nonprofit that works to lift southeastern Virginia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, said a record 158 companies applied to the program. The nine early stage startups were selected through an interview and screening process conducted by volunteers.
Participants in the 10-week program will receive $20,000 in nondilutive grants and access to collaborative office space at 757 Startup Studios in downtown Norfolk.
“Our vision is to harness the collective strength of our experienced mentors, industry leaders, and vibrant startup community,” Eileen Brewer, executive director of 757 Accelerate, said in a statement. “With a deep commitment to collaboration and innovation, we will ignite the growth and potential of these startups, paving the way for remarkable achievements and sustainable success.”
The program begins Aug. 19.
The latest cohort is the seventh overall for 757 Accelerate, which has seen 39 companies pass through the program. Those startups are responsible for more than 460 new jobs and have raised more than $89 million, according to the program.
The latest cohort includes:
- ALN Technology — This Virginia Beach-based startup offers integrated software solutions that utilize automation to handle high volumes of customer inquiries, addressing the challenge of low return on investment in sales and customer service activities.
- LuftCar — This Orlando company makes vehicles that transition between air and road operations, enabling rapid defense maneuvers, transporting airmen and supplies into conflict zones or between bases.
- Markbotix — This Los Angeles company designs robotics to elevate the quality of life for the elderly and individuals with disabilities, with a focus on those in assisted and independent living facilities.
- Nightingale Caring Solutions — This New York City company is behind a software interface that harnesses big data and machine learning to create nurse-patient assignments in seconds.
- Nininger Medical — This Brea, California, startup is developing technology to produce heart valve leaflets 10 times thinner than existing materials.
- ReBlood Rx — This San Diego firm is behind a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier system.
- ReEnvision.Ai — This Seattle startup is behind a platform that aims to give small businesses the benefits of open, advanced artificial intelligence.
- Slip Signal Technologies — This Oxon Hill, Maryland, startup is developing technology to reduce electromagnetic interference and improve the performance of digital logic circuits in semiconductors.
- Words Liive — This D.C.-based startup has developed a social network for English, language arts, humanities, social studies and civics teachers who are struggling to engage students and elevate literacy performance.
757 Collab is led by Executive Director Paul Nolde, formerly chief of Richmond's Lighthouse Labs. 757 Collab is part of VentureSouth, a Greenville, South Carolina-based early stage venture firm with a Southeastern network of investment angels.
