Lighthouse Labs is continuing its education push with a cohort of entrepreneurs emerging from Virginia universities.
The startup accelerator is hosting a summer cohort for the first time in 2019, adding to its usual 13-week fall program. It picked nine companies whose founders recently graduated from a college in the commonwealth to participate.
The summer cohort is fueled by Lighthouse's University Initiative, supported by a $1 million grant from GO Virginia's Region 4 and a partnership with VCU's da Vinci Center for Innovation, among others. It will provide entrepreneurs with mentoring, work space and equity-free funding for 13 weeks, ending with an August showcase event.
Since 2012, the Lighthouse Labs accelerator program has hosted 40 startups, which it says have created more than 200 jobs, raised $45 million in capital and generated $10 million in revenue. Through the University Initiative, also called Lighthouse U, it has worked with 27 university partners and 1,865 students and alumni for pitch competitions, clinics, mentoring and other services.
Startups for the Summer 2019 Lighthouse U cohort include alumni from – among other universities – six Virginia institutions: George Mason University, James Madison University, University of Richmond, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech.
Here are the companies chosen to participate:
Babylon Micro-Farms sells prefabricated farm modules that grow produce on-site, year-round to allow customers a consistent supply of produce.
CrowdLobby is an online platform that allows people to participate in professional political lobbying efforts via crowdfunded campaigns.
Goodfynd enables pop-up retail and mobile vendors to connect with customers virtually by providing increased visibility and online ordering.
HICH is a social ride-sharing platform created for the collegiate community.
PeerSpective uses virtual reality simulations to reduce the impact of bullying and harassment in school and business environments by improving intervention skills.
Rendyr makes a portable laser cutter that helps creative teams convert designs into a physical product.
Skinny Dipper is a publication and lifestyle brand that supports self-discovery and social solutions through art and adventure.
ThermaSENSE makes technology that measures temperatures and properties inside objects for industries including healthcare, agriculture and manufacturing.
Totem provides nonprofits software and services for constituent management that tracks data and creates actionable steps to engage supporters.
The summer accelerator will host startups at two locations: 1717 Innovation Center starting May 28 and Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School in July.
As part of the program, Lighthouse Labs will host a summer Acceleration Bootcamp in early June at the VCU School of Business for all the entrepreneurs who applied to the accelerator.
Applications for the accelerator's fall 2019 cohort are open now and close June 15.
