757 Accelerate has announced the selection of nine companies for its largest-ever batch, known as the 757 Accelerate Cohort #4. These startups will begin a 13-week intensive program on August 30th, with each company receiving $20,000 in non-dilutive capital thanks to financial support from various institutions including TowneBank, Activation Capital, and Cox Communications. The Cohort #4 will be based at 757 Startup Studios on the Assembly campus, alongside 12 other early-stage startups. This latest cohort is notable for its diversity, with seven out of nine companies having underrepresented founders. The 757 Accelerate initiative aims to foster an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Hampton Roads, and to attract and retain innovative talent and businesses.

Introduction

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Email: Phone:
Evans McMillion
evans@757accelerate.org
757-376-9604

NORFOLK, VA (July 29, 2021) – 757 Accelerate is excited to announce the nine new companies in Cohort #4, our largest batch to date! These nine promising startups will hit the ground running for 757 Accelerate’s 13-week intensive startup program beginning August 30th. “We at 757 Accelerate are excited to support this incredible group of founders and leverage a deep bench of experienced founders, mentors, experts, customers, and regional ecosystem resources, to help their startups get further faster,” said Evans McMillion, 757 Accelerate’s Executive Director.

Largest Cohort to Date

With the recent GO Virginia grant award and the financial support of TowneBank, Activation Capital, Cox Communications, Ferguson Ventures, Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium and Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge, we will provide $20,000 in non-dilutive capital to each company in the cohort. Cohort #4 will sit in the 757 Startup Studios offices within Assembly’s iconic campus for makers and creators with the 12 earlier stage startups already working in the Studios illustrating the exciting continuum of resources available in the Hampton Roads ecosystem. “Working in 757 Startup Studios with other startup founders has been instrumental for Frontline and participating in 757 Accelerate allows us to leverage the continuum of resources within the 757,” noted Kala Fleming, founder of Frontline Gig.

Besides driving results for its founders, 757 Accelerate is equally as excited about its continuing efforts to create an interconnected, inclusive, and impactful entrepreneurial ecosystem in Hampton Roads. “We continue to focus on building an inclusive ecosystem that supports the growth of all founders, including women, people of color, and military vets, and are excited that seven of the nine 757 Accelerate Cohort #4 companies have underrepresented founders on their teams,” said Monique Adams, 757 Angels Executive Director.

Attract and Retain

With five Virginia companies (three from Hampton Roads), and four from outside of Virginia, 757 Accelerate is both a retention and attraction tool for innovative talent and regional business. “Ferguson Ventures is proud to sponsor 757 Accelerate’s efforts to attract and develop high-quality startups and talent to Hampton Roads, said Blake Luse, Manager Director at Ferguson Ventures and 757 Accelerates Board Chair. “Data continues to show that building a strong innovation economy with a density of quality tech talent will continue to transform the regional economy and fuel the post-COVID growth cycle,” added Luse.

Meet 757 Accelerate Cohort #4

After hundreds of hours, thirty-five reviewers selected the following nine, dynamic founding teams to join 757 Accelerate Cohort #4 starting August 30th:

Question & Answer

1. What is 757 Accelerate’s Cohort #4?

757 Accelerate’s Cohort #4 consists of nine companies selected for its largest-ever batch, starting a 13-week intensive program on August 30th.

2. How much non-dilutive capital will each company in Cohort #4 receive?

Each company in Cohort #4 will receive $20,000 in non-dilutive capital thanks to financial support from various institutions including TowneBank, Activation Capital, and Cox Communications.

3. Where will Cohort #4 be based?

Cohort #4 will be based at 757 Startup Studios on the Assembly campus, alongside 12 other early-stage startups.

4. What is notable about the diversity of Cohort #4?

Seven out of nine companies in Cohort #4 have underrepresented founders, showcasing the initiative’s aim to foster an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Hampton Roads.