Accelerate Greensboro

Scale To Excel

Through our partnership with the national organization Interise, Scale to Excel, taught by Dr. Channelle D. James, UNCG, helps minority-owned businesses with $175k$10m in annual revenue accelerate their growth.

On September 21, eight companies celebrated seven months of work in the Scale to Excel program. This program equips minority business owners with the executive education, management know-how, and business support systems they need to take their enterprises to the next level. Our graduates included: William Allen, The Allen Real Estate Group; Winsome Barnett, Helping Hands Cleaning Services of the Triad LLC; Monique Crutchfield, Piedmont Counseling and

Development Services, PLLC; Dhanraj Emanuel, Dhanraj Emanuel Photography; Ashleigh Odom, Ashlen Staffing Solutions; FaLon Thomas, Onyx Ocean Technologies; Tara Tillman, Westchester Realty LLC; Jacqueline White, African American Art & More.

MEET UP WITH REP. MANNING

In June, our inaugural and current Scale to Excel classes spoke with Congresswoman Kathy Manning about their businesses and how they are scaling for growth. Congresswoman Manning heard directly from our entrepreneurs about legislative need and priorities they would like to see address at the congressional level

Launch Greensboro

Launch Greensboro, the entrepreneur initiative of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, provides education, mentoring, and access to capital to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs in the Triad. Our work encourages and supports an expanding pipeline of innovation, the formation and growth of high-potential emerging businesses, and a vibrant entrepreneurial community to create new jobs and increase the tax base of the City of Greensboro and Guilford County.

Here’s a look at three ways we help businesses succeed:

1. EDUCATION

2. MENTORSHIP

3. ACCESS TO CAPITAL

Demo Day Spring 2022

Launch Greensboro’s signature accelerator program, LaunchLab Growth, celebrated 10 new companies in our region at Demo Day on May 23 at Elm & Bain. These companies included: 3D Upfitters, A Moment with Monet, Eleanor Jade Handmade, Little Light Series, iMPACT Project, Insightful Branding, Optera, Shown N3D, Soledier Socks, and Vibin In Peace. Literary and arts education company, Little Light Series, was selected by a panel of judges to pitch at Capital Connects in 2023.

Launch Pad

In partnership with transform GSO, and thanks to a generous donor, Launch Greensboro is providing free access to professional office space for four earlystage BIPOC entrepreneurs based in Greensboro. The entrepreneurs also have complimentary access to Launch Greensboro’s leadership and programs. Companies are: Royal Event Staffing, Shown N3D, The Staton Wood Co, and Village Sis Doula.

First Launch Capital Fund Investment

On January 21, FLCF announced its seventh investment Fuse Oncology (Fuse), a spin-out of Cone Health/ Cone Ventures. Fuse is creating a new practice management platform that improves efficiency, quality, and safety in oncology practices supporting the entire patient engagement cycle. James Bauler, CFO of Fuse Oncology, said, “We highly value the relationship with First Launch Capital and their presence here in Greensboro. FLCF’s support and funding will allow us to commercialize a scalable version of our proven Signal software as step one in our vision to build a seamless radiation oncology experience that drastically reduces the time to initiate treatment.”

Additionally, FLCF provided follow-on funding to two of the existing portfolio companies – Unbox the Dress and Beam Technologies.

Capital Connects 2022

Launch Greensboro named F3TCH, a Wilmington-based innovative and disruptive mobile app for hotels and resorts, and Without a Trace Foods, an allergen-friendly, gluten-free snack company, the 6-minute and 2-minute winners, respectively, at its annual pitch competition, Capital Connects, on April 13. Audience members voted PulmonIx, lung-focused clinical research team, the Fan

Favorite of the night. Tara Darnley was presented the 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

2-Minute Pitch: iMama, My Relief Wear LLC, Medherd, Without a Trace Foods, Optera, Pulmonix, WorkLife Solutions Concierge (Fall 2021 Demo Day Winner)

6-Minute Pitch: F3TCH, Inc., TIDLE Inc., Doggos, Estas, Unbox the Dress

Launchlab 101

Launch Greensboro hosts our LaunchLab 101 programming twice a year. In 2022, eighteen companies participated in the Spring and fifteen participated in the Fall. Over the course of this five-week program, entrepreneurs learn how to identify their ideal customers; how to legally structure their business and protect their intellectual property; digital marketing strategies and building their brands; and taxes and finances from local experts.

Launchlab Sustain

In March, 29 LaunchLab Sustain members met for education and networking. Over the summer, fourteen companies received internship support from two Campus Greensboro interns. And then in August, six companies spent 5 weeks with The Brooks Group. Local entrepreneur and sales expert, Anita Greenland, led these companies through their IMPACT Sales Training Program – scoring it a 5 out of 5 in learnings and outcomes.

Launchcamp

Launch Greensboro hosted three LaunchCamp weekend programs in 2022 – April, July and October. These hands-on business BootCamp weekends are dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs at the earliest stages to: define their customer, determine product/market fit, and evaluate feasibility. In each session using the Lean Canvas methodology, there were a lot of “Aha!” moments and as well as valuable connections made. With 34 participants throughout the year, seven moved on to be a part of our Fall LaunchLab 101, program and we expect many more to join our Winter 2023 LaunchLab 101 program in January.

Demo Day December 2022

This fall, 12 companies completed LaunchLab Growth, Launch Greensboro’s signature accelerator program, and presented at Demo Day on December 12. Participating companies included: AE Academics, Black Girl Candle Company, Family Room Triad, FinePrint Data, Fresh AF, Gate City Physio, Remedy Beauty Bar, Royal Event Staffing, Savor the Moment, Staton Wood Co, Sundae Pets, and Thriving Doula.

Aston Anglin-Stone with Fresh AF, and Terri Bannister with AE Academics were selected as winners of Demo Day and will go on to present at Capital Connects in 2023.