IMPACT VENTURES ANNOUNCES FALL 2022 ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
GRADUATION SHOWCASE
17 entrepreneurs representing 15 local businesses received education, training, mentorship and capital through the program
DALLAS, Dec. 7, 2022 ─ Impact Ventures, a 501c3 organization and start-up accelerator with a mission to empower talented, yet underestimated women and communities of color to create generational wealth through inclusive entrepreneurship and integrated capital, today announced its Fall 2022 Accelerator Graduation Showcase on Dec. 14 from 6-8 PM CST, held at Communities Foundation of Texas.
The ceremony will recognize 17 entrepreneurs representing 15 local businesses who have completed Impact Ventures’ 12-week accelerator program, which equips participants with education, training, mentorship, and capital to support sustainable startup growth. Entrepreneurs must be accepted into the program through an application process that evaluates the viability and readiness of the business. The program targets outcomes of job creation, revenue growth, and capital readiness for businesses that are tech or tech-enabled, consumer products or goods, and growth-oriented service-based. Participating businesses must be in business for at least two years and be North Texas or US based.
“The fact that we are celebrating our sixth cohort’s graduation makes the entire Impact Ventures team incredibly proud and reinforces the value of our organization’s mission,” said Benjamin J. Vann, Impact Ventures founder and CEO. “This cohort was made up of hungry, talented entrepreneurs with unique business concepts ranging from technology to beauty industries and more. We are excited to send yet another group of amazing, underrepresented leaders into the community as we continue to tackle the wealth gap across North Texas.”
Graduating entrepreneurs and their respective companies include:
- Ayanna Zahra – Ayanna Denise Skin
- Paul Jackson – Trash Scan App
- Alia Oneal – The Product Place
- Ubong Ikpe – Oso Inc.
- Nwamaka Ngoddy – Anwuli Eyewear LLC
- Brea Givens – Froomie
- Herman (Noel) Sinaga, Cesar Martinez – Authentic Kitchens
- Michael Iwasko – Elevate Coffee Trading LLC
- Nicole and Nichelle Nichols – The Guilty Grape
- Bindu Marasini – Bindu Bites
- Nathan Smith – Cultivation
- Ryan Wilkoff – Forever Flight Worldwide
- Latrice Littleton – Ardor Bin LLC
- Richard A Fogerty – AccuPhotography
- Femi Oyenekan – Simpleaf Brands
Since the programs’ inception in 2020, the flagship 12-week Accelerator program has supported more than 147 Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), women, and low- to moderate-income (LMI) entrepreneurs, collectively raised $13.5 million, deployed $1M in grants, loans, and investments, created 310 jobs and facilitated over 5,500 expert-level training, mentorship and coaching hours.
In addition to celebrating the major accomplishments of Impact Ventures’ sixth cohort, the graduation showcase will feature a speaker panel, where top members of the graduating cohort will share what they learned throughout the program and where they plan to take their company next. Additionally, guests can get to know and connect with all of Impact Ventures’ entrepreneurs at the Founder Table.
The Graduation Showcase, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Dec. 14 from 6-8 PM CST at the Communities Foundation of Texas, located at 5500 Caruth Haven Ln, Dallas, TX 75225. The event is presented by Santander and supported by Communities Foundation of Texas, Jabian Consulting, Ioogo, Capital One, Charles Schwab, PMorgan Chase & Co., Deloitte, Hillcrest Bank, Silicon Valley Bank.
Guests can reserve their complimentary ticket here.
Learn more about Impact Ventures’ Accelerator Program here.
