These 10 creative ventures are entering BCAN’s Founder Fellows program

An accelerator for creative entrepreneurs is kicking off its first cohort this spring.
On Wednesday night at Impact Hub Baltimore, the Baltimore Creatives Acceleration Network (BCAN) introduced the ten Baltimore city–based ventures that will be part of the Founder Fellows program.
BCAN, which was spearheaded by MICA, launched last year to help entrepreneurs that aren’t affiliated with the arts college get access to resources. Executive Director Maggie Villegas is now leading a three-person team, and the pilot of the accelerator is among the first initiatives.
“We are looking to throw all of our support behind the amazing talent that exists within this city by creating a network of entrepreneurial support resources and helping connect you as creatives to those resources,” Villegas said at Wednesday’s event. “We’re looking to build pipelines for success.”
For two months, cohort members will participate in workshops BCAN is running partnership with Santa Fe–based Creative Startups to provide entrepreneurship and business training. They’ll also get access to mentors and legal services. At a demo day pitch event, $15,000 will be up for grabs. After the two-month program, the founders can work at incubators around the city including Open Works, Eubie Blake Jazz and Cultural Center, Betamore, ETC and Impact Hub.
Here’s a look at the ten ventures:
Pretty Much Academy: Jamaya Moore has a decade of experience as a makeup artist, and wants to use that experience to offer education for others in the area. Along with beauty, she sees opportunities for makeup artists in the film and design industry.
Power Nail Decals: Charlotte James and Valentina Fiamma Ziino Colanino created nail stickers that celebrate culture. James described them as “temporary tattoos for your nails.”
Six Point Pictures: The film and media company led by Jamar Jones and LaTonya Joyce is offering training through its Filmmakers Meetup.
Mess in a Bottle: Kalilah Wright and Jerome J. Hill Jr. created this custom T-shirt company, which includes packaging in a bottle-shaped container. “We want people to have a voice without saying anything at all,” Wright said.
Le Monade: Founder Carleen Goodridge offers small-batch drink mixers, blends and syrups for use with crafty cocktails or family-friendly drinks at this boutique.
Rise of Charm City LLC: Stacia Brown and Ali Post are building on their podcast and storytelling successes with a consulting company to help others spread their personal narratives through podcasts.
Marta Ali Studios: Founder Marta Ali specializes in digital design and fabrication, and creates 3D building materials such as wall panels and other interior elements.
Style Trail: Eric Warner created an app to connect barber and beauty shop owners with unused booths to barbers and stylists who can fill them.
Butchers Hill Workshop: At their Baltimore studio, Jessica Fields and Craig Gross create illustrations, branding and motion graphics for exhibitors, retailers and others.
The Regal Group: Founders Akos Regal, Ola Faleye, and Patricia Faleye create clothes inspired by their West African roots with modern silhouettes.