1776 concludes its fall accelerator program with a demo day in DC

Ten founders took to the stage to pitch their businesses in front of the D.C. tech community on Dec. 12.

The demo day hosted by 1776 DC marked the conclusion of the incubator’s inaugural startup accelerator. As we previously reported, 1776 aimed to share its “roadmap and relationships” with startups through the accelerator, which took no equity in the participating startups and provided no capital. Wednesday’s event kicked off with some words from the 1776 DC leadership including CEO Jennifer Maher and Chief Growth Officer and Head of Incubation Anthony Maher. Brian Kenner, D.C.’s Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, came out to show his support.

@1776dc offers platform for entrepreneurs to make case for investment. And #dctech is well represented. #1776DemoDay

Good to see @JohnGossart with @Goodworld and innovators with @wearemarcus1 and @FINdigital. #inclusiveinnovation pic.twitter.com/eeMsLecHQ2

— Brian Kenner (@kenner_brian) December 13, 2018

The incubator network announced the launch of its startup accelerator in July and after more than 150 applicants, 10 were chosen to be a part of its fall cohort. As we previously reported, here’s the first cohort of 1776’s Startup Accelerator:

• Base Operations​: a platform that helps people navigate emerging market cities with high crime rates and limited access to security data.
• Henry Health​: an app and digital platform that provides self-care support and mental health services to black men.
• Last Call​: Last Call is a platform that allows restaurants to share excess food they have near closing time at a discounted rate.
• Swaggle​: a mobile marketplace for male consignment shoppers.
• Premedly​: a mobile microlearning platform for millennial job-seekers in health care.
• We Are Marcus​: a character development platform for male students of color that can be accessed via an online curriculum.
• bSafe​: a mobile app that lets people use their social network to stay safe.
• Well-Kept Beauty​: a mobile app that helps users track and monitor cosmetic ingredients while providing health insights to the FDA for safety measures.
• Optimanta​: a SaaS company serving integrative medicine practices with a customizable practice automation platform.
• Roomsie​: a budget-friendly app for D.C. interns, recent grads and students to find suitable housing.

Rosslyn, Va.–based HUNGRY catered the event. The D.C. office catering startup acquired Philly-based Local Stove in August and told Technical.ly that it has had exponential growth this year, with plans to expand next year.

When the pitches concluded, attendees enjoyed cocktails while visiting the accelerator participants at their designated booths. While the program began on 15th Street, future accelerator cohorts are in the works for additional 1776 campuses, 1776 Chief Strategy Officer Penny Lee told Technical.ly.

We previously reported that after a merger deal with Philadelphia-based coworking company Benjamin’s Desk last year, 1776 has 10 campuses in the Mid-Atlantic. With the deal, Benjamin’s Desk cofounders Jennifer Maher and Anthony Maher assumed key day-to-leadership roles. Jennifer Maher was later named CEO, while Anthony Maher took the helm of the incubator’s work to provide resources to founders. The incubator network’s demo day was the last event to be hosted at the 15th Street location before it closes on Dec. 31.

The fall cohort companies will be provided with workspace at any 1776 location for an additional six months. Rich Larsen, CEO of bSafe, told Technical.ly that he will migrate back to Philly unlike Last Call, which will continue to operate out of D.C. since Chloe King, founder and COO, is still a student at George Washington University where the company mainly operates.