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):
- Shenami: A digital lifestyle, PR and marketing platform that connects women consumers with women-owned businesses.
- DoGoodBuyUs: A business-to-consumer e-commerce platform that connects causes with consumers through curated products.
- Spend Consciously: Offers a mobile application that empowers citizens to become more educated in their buying decisions.
- Just Good: A marketplace that connects conscious products with consumers and influences buying behaviors to support a vision for a better world.
- Self Spark: Organizes “life hacking” events that use science and technology to improve your life.
- Shea Radiance: A natural hair and body care products company that works with women’s cooperatives in Africa to help grow local economies.
- Making Change: A nonprofit that develops and delivers financial education programs that empower individuals to achieve their own financial success by encouraging lasting behavioral change.
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