For the first time in the program’s history, Launch Greensboro’s fall 2022 Demo Day ended in a tie.
Both AE Academics and Fresh AF – two local startups that completed Launch Greensboro’s LaunchLab Growth accelerator – were awarded guaranteed spots in next year’s Capital Connects, an annual pitch event that connects investors with local companies.
Aston Anglin-Stone, founder of Fresh AF, wants to give consumers “a whole new idea of what it means to eat your vegetables.”
Fresh AF began in 2018 as a cold-pressed juicing company and expanded to a vegan food truck this past August. The food truck's menu is soy-free and all the juices, which are available for local delivery, have no preservatives or added sugars.
During his pitch, Anglin-Stone said he was looking to raise approximately $50,000 for a larger food truck to cater to larger events and to serve a full menu daily.
A one-stop solution, AE Academics was founded by Terri Bannister to help college students who are struggling to graduate or who have been dismissed from their studies. For Bannister, starting AE Academics was personal – she had been academically dismissed and it took her two years to find a re-enrollment plan.
“I know what it’s like [to be] dismissed, and then I was able to graduate from Columbia University,” Bannister said. “I know the right support is essential for these students.”
The startup offers an 8- to 15-week program, layering resources such as academic coaching, transferable credits and re-enrollment support to get the student back on the right path.
Students who have gone through AE Academics have a 99% pass rate, Bannister said during her pitch. In addition, she said most students enter AE Academics with a 1.0 GPA and are able to bring it to a 3.5 GPA and maintain it after graduating from the startup’s program.
Twelve companies who completed Launch Greensboro’s 14-week accelerator program delivered a pitch and then tabled with their product or service for attendees to learn more. A panel of four judges assessed each entrepreneur to award a guaranteed spot at Capital Connects.
The other 10 companies were:
- Black Girl Candle Company, a candle-making company that also offers candle-making classes targeted at Black women;
- Family Room Triad, a local non-profit that provides resources and items for foster children and families;
- FinePrint Data, an artificial intelligence software that tracks the financial activities of elected officials;
- Gate City Physio, a boutique physical therapy clinic that offers high-value personalized care and focuses on serving the performing arts community;
- Remedy Beauty Bar, a full-service nail salon;
- Royal Event Staffing, a full-service event staffing company that serves events from birthday parties to weddings to corporate gatherings;
- Savor the Moment, a family-owned bakery and dessert café known for its crunch cheesecake;
- Staton Wood Company, a retailer and maker of custom of handcrafted wood items;
- Sundae Pets, a pet sitting and walking service for all types of animals;
- Thriving Doula, a startup that supports mothers through pregnancy, labor and postpartum with a focus on Black mothers.
