30 Ventures Join Propeller Accelerator to Increase Financial and Social Impact

NEW ORLEANS – Last week, Propeller introduced the 30 businesses participating in the 2019 Impact Accelerator, a four-month interactive program that provides startup and growth-stage entrepreneurs with community building and curriculum to launch and transform their businesses.

“Our 30 ventures were chosen through a rigorous application process that examined each entrepreneur’s business model, potential for social and environmental impact, and commitment to racial equity,” said Allison DeJong, Propeller’s senior water manager. “Applicants were then categorized into a balanced cohort across our five  focus areas of community economic development, education, food, health, and water.”

The founders in Propeller’s Impact Accelerator are representative of the diversity of New Orleans and its business landscape, with 22 for-profit and eight nonprofit businesses owned by 70-percent people of color and 63-percent of women. The ventures bring ideas to tackle disparities in the focus areas of community economic development, education, food, health, and water, with an underlying commitment to incorporating racial equity into their business structures and processes.

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“This year’s entrepreneurs are focused on building businesses that reach beyond profit margins and impact their communities. They are excited to support, build, and learn from one another,”said DeJong. “I hope that each entrepreneur will secure contracts or sales that will allow them to expand their work and vision for their business. I expect that this amazing class will set ambitious goals, work harder than they thought possible, and see their plans come to fruition.”

More on 2019 Impact Accelerator Entrepreneurs

In the area of community economic development, accelerator entrepreneurs are bridging the gap between culture and commerce with businesses bringing critical services, jobs, and community through brick-and-mortar businesses located on the Broad Street corridor.

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Participating businesses: Ascent Blends, Beaucoup Eats, Brighter Horizons Construction, Connect2Black, and Crazy Waffle Bar

Entrepreneurs working in education are supporting the development of high quality and racially equitable education in early childcare and K-12 schools.

Participating businesses: ALAS, Excellent Readers, Inc., Kaleidoscope Early Learning Center, Legacy Leadership Academy for Girls, Navigate NOLA, and STEM Library Lab

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Foodventures are offering consumer-packaged goods that bring local products to market; from historic 7th Ward Creole sausage products, the South’s first Black-owned brewery, healthy canned goods from recovered produce, manufacturing chocolate, transforming food waste to healthy soil,to tackling land loss experienced by family farms of color.

Participating businesses: Cajun Fire Brewing, NO Hunger NOLA, Piety and Desire Chocolate, Provost Farm, Schmelly’s Dirt Farm, and Vaucresson Sausage

In health, entrepreneurs are working to improve the quality of life through wellness, fitness, mental health support, and both chiropractic and gynecological care.

Participating businesses: Broadmoor Wellness Initiative, Domango Training, I-STARRT, Integrative Spine Care & Wellness,  Jai Bhakti Yoga Foundation, Mother Wit Maternity & Consulting Services

The Accelerator’s water entrepreneurs are intentional in their use of native plants, landscaping, historic restoration, stormwater management, and highlighting the stories of South Louisiana residents.

Participating businesses: Cicada Radio, Delta Flora Native Plants, Gravel Road Builders and Construction Services, Louisiana Land Art, The Solutions Journal, and Sponge City

 

 

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