Lighthouse Labs announced the selection of eight companies for its Spring 2023 cohort, referred to as the Innovate757 Batch 14 Innovators, from nearly 200 applicants. The selected companies, which include five from Virginia, represent a diverse array of innovation and will participate in an 11-week accelerator program commencing on March 13. The Innovate757 Batch 14 Innovators will receive $20,000 in equity-free funding, engage in weekly educational programming, receive mentorship, and connect with local partners and investors. The companies selected range in focus from technology platforms for health moderation, AI and AR software for defense and commercial use, to smart home service platforms for multi-family properties. A social event to welcome the teams will be held on March 15.

Lighthouse Labs Spring 2023 Cohort

Lighthouse Labs introduced their newest group of “amazing founders!” The Spring 2023 cohort includes eight companies from across Virginia and the South that represent the best of innovation. The companies were selected from almost 200 applicants and stood out for their unique ideas, strong teams, and readiness to accelerate growth during our 11-week accelerator program, starting March 13. The cohort is among the most diverse in Lighthouse’s eleven-year history and includes five companies from Virginia.

All companies will receive $20,000 in equity-free funding, participate in weekly educational programming, get mentorship from Lighthouse’s extensive mentor network, and connect directly with local partners and investors.

Batch 14 Companies

  • E-Sentience (Durham, NC; cofounders Julio Fredin, Sloane Tilley, and Fernando Webb) is developing a technology platform using non-invasive wearable devices to help people better understand and moderate their mental and physical health in real time.

  • Healp (Fairfax Station, VA; founder Elizabeth Tikoyan) uses artificial intelligence, crowdsourcing, and big data to help patients with chronic and incurable conditions find health answers the medical world can’t provide.

  • Heroshe (Houston, TX; founder Osinachi Ukomadu) makes it easy for marketplace sellers to find and sell products anywhere online.

  • Karambit.AI (Annandale, VA; cofounders Andrew Hendela and Eric Lee) is on a mission to stop software supply chain attacks.

  • Kilsar (Virginia Beach, VA; cofounders Zach Casey and Brendan Lawlor) is building AI and AR software for the Department of Defense and other commercial clients.

  • Luminoah (Charlottesville, VA; founder Neal Piper) is a MedTech company driving value-based care in the home for patients requiring enteral nutrition.

  • Modi (Miami, FL; cofounders Andrea Del Risco, Catalina Del Risco, and Ileana Del Risco) brings the fitting room to online shoppers, empowering apparel retailers with AI driven tools.

  • Project Mongoose (Richmond, VA; cofounders Jen Finn, Bernard Harkless, and Alex Otanez) is a Smart-Home-as-a-Service Platform designed for multi-family properties.

Meet the Cohort Social Event

Welcome the teams to RVA at our Meet the Cohort Social on Wednesday, March 15. The event, open to the entire Lighthouse community, will take place at the Slingshot Social Game Club (3301 W Clay St, Richmond, VA 23230) from 5 – 7 pm. Snacks and a sampler card for the tap wall will be provided!

You can RSVP here.

Question & Answer

1. How many companies were selected for Lighthouse Labs Spring 2023 cohort?

Eight companies were selected for Lighthouse Labs Spring 2023 cohort.

2. What is the amount of equity-free funding that the Innovate757 Batch 14 Innovators will receive?

The Innovate757 Batch 14 Innovators will receive $20,000 in equity-free funding.

3. What is the focus of Karambit.AI, one of the selected companies?

Karambit.AI is on a mission to stop software supply chain attacks.

4. When will the 11-week accelerator program for the Innovate757 Batch 14 Innovators commence?

The 11-week accelerator program for the Innovate757 Batch 14 Innovators will commence on March 13.