Meet Philly Startup Leaders’ latest MVP-stage accelerator cohort

While Philly Startup Leaders has had a year of immense changes — new leadership, new platform, and a five-year-plan — one thing that remains at the center of the org is its commitment to programming for entrepreneurs.

Its MVP-stage accelerator (one created for businesses ideas that are a bit more fleshed out than those of the idea-stage accelerator) kicks off another round this month, with a cohort of 10 entrepreneurs. The 12-week program will guide the cohort through growing their businesses, making new connections, solidifying existing relationships and building an investor  pipeline.

Some of the founders in this cohort were a part of PSL’s idea-stage program and are back to further their business growth, the org said. They’ll meet weekly on Tuesday evenings. Halfway through the three-month program on Oct. 19, they will have a “lighting pitch night,” which is an opportunity to present a five-minute pitch to investors, board members and the larger PSL community for feedback.

“PSL takes an entrepreneurial, ‘startup-founder’ approach to designing our curriculum, and believe that iteration is key to success,” the org wrote in its announcement. “We are happy to introduce new subject matters, an expanded speaker, mentor and investor network, and a hybrid approach to the curriculum.”

While some are currently digital nomads at a time of all remote everything, all of the cohort members are either currently based in, or in the process of moving back to and incorporating in Philadelphia.

The 10 companies in this year’s cohort are:

• OnTrac — Founded by Xan Hong, this Wilmington-based startup simplifies the process of achieving life goals. Hong returns to the PSL accelerator after participating in the idea-stage accelerator.
• Rego — Founded by Josh Mastromatto, this Philly-based startup simplifies furniture consignment. Mastromatto returns to the PSL accelerator after participating in the idea-stage accelerator.
• JustParent — Founded by Sara Romano, this Salt Lake City-founded startup uses personalized and evidence-based parenting to guide parents through everyday challenges.
• Asimblee — Founder Chris Brewer launched this Philly-based sports app.
• Journal My Health — Philly founder Tracey Welson-Rossman is behind this tech tool that tracks chronic health conditions.
• ShotCaller — Minneapolis Founder Hunter Dansbury is behind this social gaming platform that lets fans make sports predictions.
• Your Care Collective — Joelle Tolifero, the Philly-based founder behind this well-being communities platform for burnt out and overwhelmed employees, returns to PSL’s accelerator after participating in its idea-stage accelerator.
• Steminist Squad — Founded by Talia Tomarchio, this Philly-based social venture aims to educate, empower, and inspire young women to pursue STEM careers.
• Plynth — Founded by Jono Matusky, this Philly-based startup makes it easy for creators to add digital experiences to their merchandise and artwork.
• Grumbles — Cofounded by Philly-based Peter Wolk, this app shows you photos of the food at nearby restaurants.