NEW ORLEANS — The Idea Village announced that nine startup businesses have started the 2024 VILLAGEx program, a 16-week intensive business accelerator designed to help technology-enabled companies grow. The four-month, cohort-based program connects experts with startup founders looking to scale their businesses.
“The companies in the VILLAGEx 2024 cohort are truly impressive; the founders bring extensive expertise and knowledge to their respective industries, demonstrating a profound investment in and passion for solving industry challenges through innovation and technology,” said Megan Balch, program director of the Idea Village.
Many founders in this year’s cohort have a demonstrated market traction and have already successfully secured significant rounds of capital investment, with a promising trajectory for more.
“VILLAGEx will empower each founder with essential resources, a valuable network, and the knowledge and confidence needed to raise funds and scale their company,” said Balch.
The VILLAGEx 2024 cohort was selected based on market potential, growth trajectory, industry potential, product stage, team readiness, and traction. Over the next 4 months, each company will go through an intensive acceleration program while working closely with an assigned Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR), who will provide many hours of direct mentorship. Each VILLAGEx company will also work with a curated Advisory Board, an Investor-In-Residence, and other mentors in The Idea Village network to both scale their businesses and prepare to raise capital.
In addition to numerous hours of mentorship and consulting, the entrepreneurs will be cultivating meaningful peer-to-peer relationships that increase accountability and upskilling at all levels of company leadership.
The Idea Village’s VILLAGEx 2024 companies are:
- Algorithmic Logistics, founded by W. Patrick Beene: a company developing software which tracks analytics for trucking companies. secure.algorithmiclogistics.com
- CENTERLINE, founded by Chuck Perret: a company providing an information management platform specifically for architects, owners, and construction professionals. www.centerline.co
- Chckup, founded by Elliott Greenwood, Colin Hebert, Matthew Ieyoub and George Villaume: a company providing actionable analytics and practice efficiency software to help veterinary practices save more time, more money, and more pets. www.chckup.app
- Giant Rocketship, founded by Dustin Puryear: a company that is automating people and task management in the IT service industry. www.giantrocketship.com
- Kinkz Hair Products, founded by Alana Scott: a company providing hair products for women with an emphasis on curly hair. www.kinkzhair.com
- KMBoobies Boob Tape, founded by Kaelin Bass: a company providing women with non-surgical breast lifts to boost confidence and eliminate insecurities. www.kmboobies.com
- Nestor Labs, founded by Shawn Johnston, D.C, and Jordy Davidson: a company providing practice management software for alternative health and wellness professionals. https://nestorlabs.com/
- TMTP Labs, Inc., founded by Matthew Kelly: a nanotechnology company focused on graphene production and applications. www.tmtplabs.com/
- V B Ideas LLC. / S.C.H.O.O.L.S., founded by Dr. Valencia Belle: a company providing high-quality, cost-effective test prep to students who need it most. www.schoolstestprep.com
These nine startup companies were chosen from over 50 applicants by a panel and senior members of The Idea Village team. Five out of the nine startup founders in the 2024 VILLAGEx cohort successfully completed other Idea Village programs designed for idea and early-stage companies. Those startups are: Giant Rocketship, V B Ideas LLC. / S.C.H.O.O.L.S., KMBoobies Boob Tape, Nestor Labs, and Kinkz.
“This impressive group of founders proudly builds on past decades and paves the way for furthering a fast-growing vibrant and diverse startup community across the Gulf Coast. We expect great things from this cohort.” said Idea Village Jon Atkinson.
To date, last year’s 13 VILLAGEx startups have collectively raised more than $14.7 million, created more than 80 jobs, and generated more than $5.4 million in annual revenue.
