Startups

Conscious Venture Lab names 7 companies to first social enterprise class

Each of the seven companies -- six for-profit startups and one nonprofit -- will receive $25,000 as part of the six-month program.

The Conscious Venture Lab, still under construction. Photo courtesy of Conscious Venture Lab.

The Conscious Venture Lab, the Howard County accelerator for startups focused on social entrepreneurship, announced its first class of seven companies.
Find a list of all seven companies below.
Each of the seven companies — six for-profit startups and one nonprofit — will receive $25,000 as part of the six-month program. The funding comes from “an associated seed and venture capital fund established by the Porter Group,” according to a press release. In exchange for the $25,000, the venture fund takes an equity stake of between 5 and 10 percent in each company.
All seven companies will be working from the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship in Howard County. As Technical.ly Baltimore reported in November, an Indiegogo campaign was held to help pay to “renovate and furnish” the lab. The lab space is “still under construction,” according to the Howard County Economic Development Authority.
The Conscious Venture Lab companies (from the press release):

  1. ShenamiA digital lifestyle, PR and marketing platform that connects women consumers with women-owned businesses.
  2. DoGoodBuyUsA business-to-consumer e-commerce platform that connects causes with consumers through curated products.
  3. Spend ConsciouslyOffers a mobile application that empowers citizens to become more educated in their buying decisions.
  4. Just GoodA marketplace that connects conscious products with consumers and influences buying behaviors to support a vision for a better world.
  5. Self SparkOrganizes “life hacking” events that use science and technology to improve your life.
  6. Shea RadianceA natural hair and body care products company that works with women’s cooperatives in Africa to help grow local economies.
  7. Making ChangeA nonprofit that develops and delivers financial education programs that empower individuals to achieve their own financial success by encouraging lasting behavioral change.
Update 2/21/14 8:29 a.m.: Added updated photo of the Conscious Venture Lab, which is "still under construction," according to the Howard County Economic Development Authority.
Companies: Conscious Venture Lab / Howard County Economic Development Authority / Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship

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