B-Start Selects 2019 Startups
Bloomington, IN (October 18, 2019) – B-Start, a pre-accelerator program for entrepreneurs and early-stage startups in Bloomington, announced its 2019 cohort today. Out of twenty applications, fourteen startups were selected to participate in the 5-month program. B-Start is designed for entrepreneurs who want to take their creative business idea through a comprehensive refining process to build a foundation for acceleration. The cohort will participate in a variety of workshops that will help the startup develop their business plan, prepare financial documents, understand fundraising and bootstrapping, and more.
B-Start was originally created to engage Indiana University and Ivy Tech - Bloomington students with Monroe County’s growing entrepreneurial, technology and business ecosystem. After the continued interest and success of B-Start, the program has since opened to all Monroe County residents, with the intention that these individuals will be invested in creating and growing their company in the community they call home.
B-Start has graduated 27 startups through the program since it was launched in 2015.The newest group of B-Start participants covers a wide range of industries. The fourteen participants include:
● Blueprint Stats – a sports analytics company that specializes in high school basketball and will provide in depth-statistics, film breakdowns, shot charts and more.
● CashMD – a platform to bring patients and healthcare providers together by providing transparent pricing, the ability to book an appointment, etc.
● Fair Fitness – a gym that will incentivize members to save money on their membership based on the amount of times they workout and frequent the gym.
● Ferryman Fin - a technology company dedicated to creating a suite of applications and services that focus on utilizing Bitcoin and its network
● Fixit – a home renovation/repair application that streamlines the process of finding the right contractors for the right price. Local contractors can also use the platform to better advertise their business.
● Hoosier Films – a multi-platform film distribution that will include a subscription film streaming service, digital downloads, live screens at fairs and historic theaters, and a mobile cinema for Hoosier-made films.
● Lefty McGoo – an Instagram-based social enterprise with a focus on creativity fueled charity.
● Diggity Dog Den- a luxurious dog daycare and cage-free boarding facility with accessories and to make the canine guest and owner safe and happy.
● Misa Digital – designs and manufactures novel digital instruments that enable musicians to play synthesizers, and guitar synthesizers, in a new way.
● RadioInstigator – hardware and software that will assess the clients radio footprint, defend the IT assets against radio threats, etc.
● Rocks – A mobile social platform to find nearby rock climbing and belaying partners and to connect local climbers with others around the world.
● SPINS – A freemium model music sharing platform that will allow local artists to advertise their own songs and upcoming concerts, explore the top 5 songs or “Spins” in the area, and share music with friends.
● The Functional Musician – an online health and wellness business geared toward collegiate musicians with the goal of building a strong, healthy, and functional foundation that will help carry their bodies throughout their musical career.
● Titan Learning – a virtual, educational simulation for any profession, removing the traditional lecture-based learning method with an experience-based one.
“I’m excited for the 2019-2020 B-Start cohort” said Ellyn Sallee, Project/Development Manager of the BEDC. “The startups cover a wide range of industries, from basketball and dog daycares to music, and it will be exciting to see their process and growth over the next 5 months.”
B-Start hosted a kickoff reception with the startups and business community on Thursday, October 17th. Each of the B-Start participants have been paired with a local entrepreneur or business leader that will help to guide them through the program. At the end of the 5-month cohort, the startups will deliver a 5-minute pitch in March of 2020 to a panel of judges with the chance to win cash prizes to launch their business.
Founding sponsors for B-Start are Cook Group, Inc., IU Ventures, and The Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship at Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington.
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B-Start Kicks Off 2019 Program With Call for Applications
Bloomington, IN (August 26, 2019) – Applications have opened for the 2019-2020 B-Start cohort, a pre-accelerator program for entrepreneurs who want to take their creative business idea and launch a for-profit innovation-driven business across Monroe County, Indiana. The Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) will accept applications between August 26 and September 20 for Monroe County residents. The 5-month program includes mentorship, consultations with local experts, business development workshops, and a pitch competition.
“B-Start has graduated 27 companies since it launched in 2015. Given great demand from past program applicants, this year we have already increased our mentor capacity, allowing us to accept more entrepreneurs into our program for the 2019-20 session,” said Ellyn Sallee, Project/Development Manager at the BEDC. “B-Start was created to increase opportunities in our community that support local talent and foster entrepreneurial activity. With the success of B-Start over the past five years, the BEDC is committed to advancing our community’s innovation-driven and high-growth companies, ultimately creating new jobs and strengthening Monroe County’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.”
B-Start has proven to be an important component of Monroe County’s local economic development. It is supported by organizations including Cook Group, IU Ventures, Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship – Ivy Tech Bloomington, The Mill and others. For more information and to apply, visit www.b-start.org.
About the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC)
The BEDC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the retention, development, and attraction of quality jobs in Monroe County. The BEDC is led by a partnership of private industry leaders, the City of Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College–Bloomington. Since 1985, BEDC has been dedicated to enhancing the vitality of our community. As the leading economic development organization for Bloomington/Monroe County, we are focused on increasing opportunities whether it’s through supporting our existing businesses, tackling workforce issues, or fostering entrepreneurial activity. For more information, visit www.bloomingtonedc.com.
Media Contact:
Ellyn Sallee
Project/Development Manager, BEDC
(812) 335-7346
esallee@bloomingtonedc.com