[ad_1]
We Hear You, which creates accessible technology for all people but specifically those with disabilities/exceptionalities, is one of 22 startups constituting Arch Grants 2023 Cohort. The nonprofit awarded $1.875 million in non-dilutive grants to the respective cohorts.
Founded by Pierre Paul, who serves as CEO, We Hear You recently launched the Push device, which can open special needs doors from up to 20 feet away via a wearable and attachable device.
Paul’s company is recipient of the Donald M. Suggs Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award Powered by The Ferring Family Foundation
Three additional African American entrepreneurs also received 2023 cohort grants. They are:
GreaterHealth and Wellness: Marcus Howard, founder and CEO. Greater Health is a pharmacy model that combines culturally responsive pharmacy services with medically tailored dietary meals to provide improved healthcare outcomes for underserved communities.
Top Tutors for Us:Angelica Harris, Founder & CEO.
Top Tutors helps Black students achieve by providing educational services, supported by a network of Black tutors. Its goals include closing the racial gap in education and providing students with opportunities to connect with and learn from students who look like them.
The firm is recipient of the #STLOnward Award – Powered by NISA Charitable Fund
Shades of Color:Tashara Earl, Founder & CEO.
Shades of Color personalizes the beauty marketplace by connecting beauty brands and shoppers based on unique needs, cultures, and lifestyles.
Earl is recipient of the Scaling-up Veteran Entrepreneurship Powered by The Berges Family Foundation
“Our goal at Arch Grants is to empower entrepreneurs who are at the forefront of innovation and to help them thrive in St. Louis,” said Gabe Angieri, Arch Grants executive director.
“We believe that by supporting these entrepreneurs, we’re not just investing in individual companies – we’re investing in the future of this city. And with an uptick in international startups awarded this year and more than 80% of the cohort led by underrepresented founders, that investment is driven by Arch Grants’ commitment to inclusive economic growth.”
The 22 cohorts were selected from 500 entries and over 400 volunteer judges evaluated each startup on innovativeness of its business model, scalability, job creation potential, and growth trajectory in St. Louis.
Selected firms represent an array of industries including geospatial, agriculture, education, workforce development, and accessibility technologies.
The selections “underscore Arch Grants’ commitment to fostering diversity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem while driving innovation in established industry clusters in the region,” according to Angieri.
“We are excited to see what the future holds for this new cohort,” said Elizabeth Zucker, Arch Grants board president.
“Their passion and innovation, coupled with the resources and community support Arch Grant provides, have the potential to make a significant positive impact in our region.”
Awardees can now also receive access to investor relations, free or discounted services from local services providers, networking opportunities, and workshops hosted by industry leaders.
In exchange, the startups pledge to base their businesses in St. Louis for at least one year. Following this period, each awardee who successfully demonstrates the ability to grow and expand operations within the St. Louis area will be eligible for up to $100,000 in non-dilutive follow-on funding through Arch Grants’ Growth Grants program.
By leveraging $16.4M in non-dilutive funding from Arch Grants, cohort portfolio companies have created 3,598 jobs, attracted over $696 million in follow-on capital, and generated over $742 million in revenue.
Each company will receive $75,000 in non-dilutive grants, and awardees selected from outside the region will receive an additional $25,000 in grants to facilitate relocation to St. Louis. We Hear You is currently based in Peoria, Ill.
The 2023 Cohort includes companies relocating to Missouri from California, Illinois, New York, Virginia, and Utah in addition to international transplants from Canada, India, and Argentina.
For a full listing of the Arch Grants Cohorts, please visit: www.archgrants.org/the-startups/the-companies
[ad_2]
Source link
