On Friday, October 16th, Co-op Dayton and Wright-Patt Credit Union will host “Pitch Night: A Celebration of Cooperative and Community Enterprise.” The online event features eight teams of entrepreneurs from Co-op Dayton’s business incubator program.
We invite the community to view the teams’ pitches, emceed by What’s the Biz with TJ, and vote on the $1,000 community prize. Then join us for the after party via Crowdcast to meet the team members in virtual breakout rooms and enjoy the livestream music of Dayton’s DJ Ron Hunter!
Known for the Gem City Market cooperative, Co-op Dayton incubates cooperative businesses to create and retain good jobs in our region and to build a local economy that works for all. Co-director Amaha Sellassie says, “Each of these teams represents something we need in our solidarity economy. This is asset-based community development, in which we each bring our gifts to the community in a cooperative way.”
The teams represent a variety of industries, including construction, marketing and design, tourism, retail, health and wellness, food service, and agriculture. Over seven months, they worked to develop their business plans with workshops on market research, financial models, capitalization options, and legal structure.
Wright-Patt Credit Union is the largest financial services cooperative in the Dayton region. WPCU was founded in the 1930’s by workers at Wright Field that contributed a quarter each payday to create a “Sunshine Fund” for fellow workers that might need help. Today, their cooperative members are their account holders, who benefit financially from better rates, higher dividends and lower fees.
Other sponsors include the IUE-CWA, CareSource, and Indigo Life Media.
Register today at coopdayton.eventbrite.com!
Thursday night, Carolyn Seymour, founder of TheList.Black, won her Early Risers Academy cohort’s virtual pitch night, taking home $1K.
TheList.Black answers the call for commerce with a cause. The Black business directory provides a vehicle for business visibility with the goal of advancing the economic status of a people to spark the catalyst of socioeconomic change. TheList.Black is the new home for all consumers, Black businesses and Black professionals, Carolyn writes.
“I started TheList.Black because I wanted to see my community thrive and change for the better. Black enterprise is one of those vehicles that can drive us,” Carolyn said. “I’m so grateful for the support of Early Risers Academy, that you see the vision, and that I want to make a difference, and want to support me further. I’m just blown away.”
Early Risers Academy is a free, 10-week, pre-accelerator program designed to take participants from business idea to business launch. It is run by a team from Launch Dayton partner Wright State Applied Research Corporation.
Participants complete Kauffman FastTrac coursework from the nationally-renowned Kauffman Foundation, receive pitch coaching and hands-on mentoring, weekly discussions with successful entrepreneurs and experts, & access to Dayton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
These workshops can also be valuable for founders early in their small business journey, or who jumped right into their business without formally developing the plans behind it and are now discovering they need some of that paperwork in place to grow.
Other summer cohort graduates included:
• Karol Brown, launching Harriet Tubman 3LC, Ladies, Leadership & Legacy Coach;
• Earnestine Sledge, owner of Abednego Security Solutions, providing armed and unarmed guards for business owners that are in need of protecting their assets.
• James Cremeans, launching Go PLAY!, a themed indoor play area where parents and their children can enjoy entertainment for the whole family;
• Chris James, launching Cheeky’s Pizzeria, a minority-owned, farm-to-table pizzeria built to serve our city’s food desert;
• Nick Vuto, owner of NV Project Solutions, specializing in historical plaster restoration with excellent craftsmanship and high quality lime plaster.
“Early Risers Academy is designed for aspiring founders in any industry,” Project Manager KeAnna Daniels said. “We’re particularly excited to work with more women and minority founders.”
This year’s pitch competition is sponsored by The ONEIL Center at Wright State University, which provides services to small businesses ranging from proposal writing support to graphic design and basic web design.
We’re looking for up to 10 startups — five tech cos & five main street businesses — to pitch for cash prizes this year. First place winners in each category will receive $2,500 cash + $750 in services from The ONEIL Center; second place winners will receive $500 in services; and all finalists who pitch will receive $200 in services.
Companies must be:
• less than four years old
• under $50K in revenue or investment
• connected to the Dayton region
The innovation track is geared for tech-enabled startups or companies developing intellectual property that want to scale their business broadly & sell beyond the greater Dayton region. The main street track is geared for companies that serve the local population such as restaurants, marketing firms, coffee shops, etc.
So whether you’re building software or baking cupcakes, we want to hear from you!
“Winning the pitch competition during Startup Week Dayton was by far one of the most exciting milestones yet for Baba Love Organics. It was my first time to compete among other small business owners and share the Baba Love vision in front of so many guests.”
— Vaniti Byrd, Founder, Baba Love Organics, & winner of the 2019 Startup Week Early Risers Pitch Competition
“It was a good day that honestly was a springboard for us. We made some great introductions. We learned about resources available in the area, and that was amazing and took us on a new trajectory.”
— Carlos Portis, Cofounder, Soft Cards, & winner of the 2018 Startup Week Early Risers Pitch Competition
APPLY BY SEPT. 8. Finalists will be notified the week of Sept. 15. The pitch will be Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6p. Finalists will have four minutes to pitch. A diverse panel of experts will judge the competition and select the winners.
Our August Early Risers pitch event will be virtual — join us Friday morning to hear how three local startups are looking to make moves in the tech recruiting, moms’ apparel and COVID treatment spaces.
Pitches will start promptly at 8a. You’ll meet:
• Chiora Waters & Heshima, a veteran-owned apparel line designed for nursing mothers;
• Luis Estevez and AIMM, developing a self-disinfecting N95 respirator mask;
• & Aaron Davis and Recless Tech, his platform that pays tech people to connect their peers to jobs.
Early Risers is a morning pitch series that connects entrepreneurs to the things they need most, like first customers, key employees, mentors, funding, and more. Each startup gets 10 minutes to pitch, then the audience gets 5 minutes for Q&A.
In the last three years, 90% of startups have gotten their ask granted through a connection made at Early Risers. So pop online and find a place you can plug into Dayton’s startup community!
Let us know you’re coming! Register here.
Want to pitch Early Risers? Click here.
Want to sponsor Early Risers (and get two minutes in front of the audience)? Click here.
Hope to “see” you Friday!
Registration is LIVE for the 2020 Techstars Startup Week Dayton, Sept. 21-25, online.
In its fifth year, this free, annual, week-long, entrepreneur-led, community-focused conference brings together the region’s entrepreneurs and small business owners — this year in a virtual setting. All experiences are welcome — whether a seasoned entrepreneur or new to the community, there is space to jump in.
“We’re excited to bring Startup Week back for a fifth year, and while we’re disappointed we can’t see everyone in person this year, we hope this pivot to a virtual event will allow more people to tap into the expertise and energy in Dayton’s startup community,” said John Owen, Wright State Applied Research Corporation Program manager and lead organizer for Techstars Startup Week Dayton.
On Monday & Tuesday, Sept. 21-22, Startup Week Dayton will bring the community together around inspirational local founders offering advice applicable across industries. High level speakers who will grace the virtual main stage include:
- Marty Grunder, founder of Grunder Landscaping;
- Kala Gibson, Executive Vice President & Head of Business Banking at Fifth Third Bank, as well as MORTAR Board Chair;
- Jerricha Hoskins, founder of million-dollar haircare line Arcani Coil Care;
- Robin Gentry-McGee, the Functional Formularies founder who recently sold her medtech company;
- Erica McGeady, founder of EricaFitLove and trainer on The Biggest Loser;
- Lance Juhas, COO of Piada;
- Stephen Hightower, founder of Hightowers Petroleum Co. one of the country’s largest fuel suppliers.
Wednesday through Friday, attendees will be able to delve deeper into their own business needs with industry-specific tracks that include sessions on how to find funding and customers in the food & beverage, health/beauty/wellness products, medtech, materials & manufacturing and defense industries. Topics & speakers include:
- in Health/Beauty/Wellness: Holistic Branding — How to Stand out in a Crowded Marketplace;
- in Medtech: Don’t Tell Me, Show Me: 12 Months of MedTech Deals;
- in Food & Beverage: The Rapid Fired, Hot Head Story, from founder Ray Wiley;
- in Defense: A Look Forward at USAF R&D Priorities, Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, Air Force Research Lab Commander;
- in Materials & Manufacturing: The State of Manufacturing in Ohio, from JobsOhio’s Glenn Richardson.
Monday evening will wrap with a social event featuring two local businesses — snag your signature Startup Week cocktail from new avant-garde bar Tender Mercy and play Dayton startup trivia hosted by Liftoff Entertainment.
Tuesday evening will feature the annual Startup Week Early Risers Pitch Competition. Ten startups across both tech and main street categories will compete for cash prizes. Apply to pitch by Sept. 8.
Throughout the evening, we’ll also present the first Launch Dayton Startup Storytelling Night in collaboration with LORE. Founders, including The Chicken Spot’s Anthony Head and Baba Love Organics’ Vaniti Bryd, will take the virtual stage between pitches to share their launch stories.
“Winning the pitch competition during Startup Week Dayton was by far one of the most exciting milestones yet for Baba Love Organics,” said Byrd, who was one of the 2019 Startup Week Early Risers Pitch Competition winners. “It was my first time to compete among other small business owners and share the Baba Love vision in front of so many guests.”
View the full Techstars Startup Week Dayton 2020 schedule here.
This year, Startup Week Dayton will also broadcast 30-second pre-recorded elevator pitches from attendees between sessions. Submit a 30-second recording introducing yourself and your business and sharing a need. We’ll broadcast it to connect you to the community in the room who can help you move your company forward. Submit your elevator pitch here.
Techstars Startup Week Dayton 2020 is made possible through support from title sponsors Fifth Third Bank, The Entrepreneurs Center and Wright State Applied Research Corporation.
We can’t wait to see you at Techstars Startup Week Dayton 2020! Register here today!
Montgomery County has expanded the eligibility for $40M in small business grants provided through the CARES Act.
Previously, small businesses did not qualify if they had already received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loans. Now, businesses who have received PPP or EIDL are still able to receive grants up to $10K. Applications are open until Nov. 30 or until funds run out.
Full eligibility requirements are:
• Must be locally owned and located in Montgomery County
• Have fewer than 50 employees
• Have gross annual receipts of less than $5 million
• Businesses who have received PPP or SBA loans (EIDL) may now qualify for these grants
• Have a physical storefront and/or an allowable home office as reported in most recently filed tax return
• Be current on all state, federal, and local taxes
• Be in compliance with State of Ohio small business requirements
• Retain at least one-full-time employee for at least three months after the grant award
If your company has been denied a grant from Montgomery County’s Small Business Grant program because of PPP or EIDL, there is no need to reapply. Staff at the Office of CARES Act will automatically reconsider those applications, and they may reach out for additional documentation to complete the grant application.
This program will help pay for expenses to provide services to help individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Expenses allowed with these grants include mortgage or rent, utilities, and costs related to food insecurities, public health, PPE supplies, technology, and other services.
Documentation will be required to show a relationship between the proposed expenses and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded for expenses (either already incurred or anticipated) between March 1 and December 31, 2020.
Learn more about Montgomery County relief funding here.
Simply Savory by Rachel, Rachel Blanks’ local spice startup, just launched a Kickstarter campaign this week to help her scale up production.
Rachel is seeking $2,850 to purchase a commercial grade grinder, label printer, business T-shirts, large inventory investment, and new product labeling.
“Cooking and eating is such a large part of every culture and ethnic group and I just want every family to experience the flavors of great home cooking — with ease,” she writes.
Rachel officially launched Simply Savory last year, but her entrepreneur journey actually began several years earlier when she made her first seasoning blend to give away as her wedding favors. That recipe became the Gem City Blend, one of three spice mixes available when the business launched.
Today, the startup spice co has grown to offer more than a dozen seasoning blends & products that promise to take you from raw product to finished meal in a matter of minutes. Last week, Rachel dropped her newest product — a seasoning subscription box.
Want to help Simply Savory scale up? Back the Kickstarter campaign here.
• Pledge $10 or more, get a digital copy of the Keto Cookbook with recipes that use Simply Savory by Rachel blends.
• Pledge $50 or more, get a surprise sample of a new seasoning blend, hot off the grinder, before it hits shelves.
• Pledge $200 or more, get a gift box of Rachel’s most popular seasoning blends.
Simply Savory’s Kickstarter will run through August.
Local payroll firm 937 Payroll is expanding the team, with two new hires joining this month.
“We have to find a way to push through this,” founder Bryan Hunter said of the pandemic that is affecting small businesses across the country. “You’re making a bet on yourself by making an investment right now.”
Bryan hired two new payroll operations specialists, which will free up his time to focus on client meetings & growing the business.
Mara Fogg joins the team having recently graduated summa cum laude from Grand Canyon University. She lives in Dayton with her husband and dog. In her free time, you will find her outdoors, cooking, or reading a good book.
Brian Nickell joins the team as a graduate of The Ohio State University and lives in Kettering with his wife, Nicole, and children, Lilyanne and Max. He enjoys attending local community events and restaurants, disc golf, and spending time with his family.
“We are blessed to continue growing during this trying time,” Bryan said. “As a business owner, I believe it is more important than ever to provide an unmatched level of customer service to our clients by showing true care and compassion. The only way through this is forward and we believe we have the best team possible to take us to the next level.”
When you meet Mara & Brian, give them a big welcome from the Launch Dayton community!
What’s The Biz & Cardigan Radio founders Te’Jal Cartwright & Tanner Elrod, recent graduates of our Early Risers Academy program, have sponsorship opportunities available for you to support their new ventures.
What’s The Biz is a multi-faceted company that focuses on increasing black businesses’ customer bases by highlighting the stories of black business owners through a quirky web series and an intentional digital experience. As Te’Jal gears up for her third season, three levels of sponsorship are available:
• Season Sponsor, $1500. Perks: corporate logo at season premiere event & in intro & credits of all season 3 episodes, biweekly shout out on social media, verbal recognition during live premiere, logo on What’s the Biz marketing material, and two tickets to the live premiere.
• Yellow Sponsor, $500. Perks: corporate logo on program for season premiere, logo in credits for all of season 3, monthly social media shout out, verbal recognition during live premiere.
• Biz Sponsor, $100. Perks: corporate logo on program for season premiere, corporate logo on first half of season three, monthly shout out on social media.
Want more info? Contact Te’Jal at 937-242-1674 or [email protected].
Cardigan Radio is a Dayton-based podcast-production platform that is focused on making the process of creating fictional audio dramas accessible for independent artists. Tanner strives to bring together writers, actors, directors, and producers to create stories that are both entertaining and convey an impactful message. As Cardigan Radio gears up to launch its first round of audio dramas, three tiers of sponsorship are available:
• Tier One, $100. Perks: monthly social media shout out, company logo on cover art for first half of the season.
• Tier Two, $500. Perks: monthly shout out on social media, company logo on all promo material, company logo on cover art for full series, verbal shout out during live season launch event.
• Tier Three, $1500. Perks: bi-weekly shout out on social media, company logo on all promo material, company logo on all series cover art, verbal shout out during launch event, name of business incorporated into the first show, 2 free tickets to launch event.
Want more info? Contact Tanner at [email protected].
We are redesigning the Launch Dayton website this summer, and we need your help to reach more entrepreneurs and small business owners.
We want to make sure our content and vocabulary are on point to reach entrepreneurs and small business owners where you are in order to connect you to resources & opportunities in the region.
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