Collab Announcement: Meet the Eight Graduates from the Spring 2024 Accelerator
Collab is proudly supported by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, NHE3, the City of New Haven, NewAlliance Foundation, and others — as well as a growing network of individual donors.
Eight Connecticut-based ventures have been selected and graduated from the Collab Accelerator.
Now in its seventh year, the Collab Accelerator is Collab’s flagship program to support New Haven and Connecticut entrepreneurs. It is a 10-week program that includes in-depth 1-on-1 coaching, an educational curriculum and a pro bono partner network.
Past graduates from the Collab Accelerator have gone on to create successful ventures, receive investment, create local jobs and more.
The Collab Accelerator is our flagship program to support local entrepreneurs based in New Haven and Connecticut. Now in its sixth year, the Collab Accelerator has over 130 graduates. Of those graduates, 86% are people of color-led ventures and 77% are women-led ventures.
Meet The Cohort
Ergge Toys
Founder: Emily Drennen
Erge Toys is a sexual wellness company dedicated to creating ergonomic and universally designed products for people with disabilities, addressing their unique needs and fostering inclusive sexual wellness through an online marketplace that offers innovative, disability-friendly products and comprehensive sex education.
Teefs
Founder: Mik-Tricia Mitchell
Teefs is an eco-friendly, battery-operated toothbrush with a built-in refillable floss dispenser, designed to make dental hygiene intuitive and efficient for the conscious, busy consumer
Gods Of Earth Media
Founder: Kimolee Eryn Cowell
Gods of Earth Media is a transmedia company focused on human-centric storytelling across various mediums, emphasizing authenticity to deepen our understanding of ourselves and others, while resisting AI's depersonalizing effects.
Div9ine Enterventions
Founder: Shayla Streater
Div9ine Enterventions (DV9) offers a holistic approach to transform eating habits and wellness through personalized assessments, food journaling, vegan recipe exploration, guided grocery shopping, meal preparation, physical activity, and reflective celebrations, fostering sustainable, healthier lifestyles.
House of Engage
Founders: Desmone Gambrell-Claxton
House of Engage is a full service creative agency, offering a diverse range of services including social media management, graphic design, photography, videography, email marketing, branding, web design, print services, distribution, and public relations.
R3connect At The Workplace, LLC
Founder: Dr. Jehu Leconte and Deidra Leconte
R3connect At The Workplace, founded by Dr. Jehu and Deidra Leconte, revolutionizes leadership and team dynamics by addressing burnout and fostering sustainable change through strategic consulting and a holistic approach emphasizing Grace, Love, and Forgiveness.
Dance Artistry Impact, LLC
Founder: Anisah Richardson
Dance Artistry Impact, LLC is an affordable dance studio and safe space for Black and Brown dancers, offering quality dance education and encouraging self-expression through performing arts, with a unique focus on cultural representation, personal growth, and events that foster creativity and self-love.
UR LOCAL
Founder: Matthieu Waldemar
UR LOCAL is a creative exterior design agency that revitalizes underutilized spaces into vibrant artistic destinations through public art and property refurbishment, aiming to boost local economies and foster community engagement in areas affected by economic downturns and vacant properties.
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