It Takes A Village Demo Day #5 Recap

The dynamic founders from It Takes A Village Cohort #5 will forever be known for their innovation,  dedication, commitment and above all resilience in the face of truly pivotal year.

From a virtual navigation platform for cancer care delivery to a home decorating solution powered by tech, we curated a unique group of startups to help them along their entrepreneurial journey this Spring ’20. The startup founders went completely virtual for 3 months, navigating the founder’s journey during a global pandemic that changed millions of lives. They donned face masks and delivered their pitches during a live-streamed event, just nights after nationwide protests for justice.

While we are used to sharing investments gathered or connections made, it is important to note the balance (and yes, the burden) these founders of color bore in what many are calling a “new normal”, but for our founders of color, is often “the normal.” A new virtual session was added to the programming, Founder’s Therapy, to offer a safe space for the founders to unburden, release and recap their shared experiences.

We are so very proud of each of them- and all of our alumni, from the past two years.

• iAccess Brandon Winfield
• Dinote Bobby Gilbert
• Love Home Candice Jordan
• Metriqq Thomas Clifton
• Totem Ashley Richardson
• Nova (Cancer Blueprint) Trellis Usher
• HearthMates Cesar Flores

With a combined $1.1M+ raised in seed investments and $2.5M generated in revenue to-date and 50% female founders, we are happy to celebrate the progress and success of Cohort #5 who will be adding to these numbers!

BY-THE-NUMBERS

Our 7 Pre-Accelerator Startups led by women and people of color:

• Raised 225k in Capital
• Conducted 6 Research Studies
• Launched 7 Pilots
• Experienced 60% Sales Growth

These numbers reflect our mission for this program to help diverse led startups build traction, sustainability, and longevity by giving them access to the resources, network, and community needed to get to the next level.  

BEYOND-THE-NUMBERS

Beyond these phenomenal stats, these founders also forged lasting relationships from their laptops. Hear from some of our founders below:

“Working through the ITV cohort has fueled my entrepreneur fire. It's always encouraging being surrounded by a group of people that work hard to benefit others through their start-ups.” – Brandon, iAccess

“The ITAV curriculum and weekly sessions helped us frame strategy during these times. As a result, we’ve increased our partnerships, improved the product, and acquired users.” – Bobby, Dinote

GRADUATION

Cohort #5 had a live-streamed Demo Day, in space made safe and "quarantine-friendly", by the core ATV team. 400 votes were cast for the 6 month Audi Scholarship, which was awarded to Ashley Richardson of Totem. The 12 month Truist Scholarship was awarded to Trellis Usher of Nova Health Labs.

You can watch the recording of the entire Graduation & Demo Day here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moIMx6NrrmI&feature=youtu.be

"To my black friends and founders, we are with you. To my white friends and founders, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to stand up and speak out when we see and hear things that are unjust so that real change is made. We must be an ally. We do this together as a nation, as a city, and as a Village."

-David Lightburn, President of ATV during Demo Day #5

WHAT’S NEXT?

Applications are officially OPEN for our sixth cohort starting in Fall ‘20 (August 3nd). If you know of a startup led by a woman and person of color spread the word and APPLY TODAY!