Westchester County Office of Economic Development is seeking applications for the next cohort of budding entrepreneurs for its Element 46 incubator program. Element 46 incubator provides training, mentoring and free workspace, to enable startups to develop their businesses within a network of peers. Entrepreneurs are embedded in an existing start-up community within Westchester. To apply, visit https://www.element46.org/apply. The deadline for applications is January 10, 2020. The program is also seeking mentors and professional service providers. The next cohort, which will start in March 2020, will be a 6-month program.
Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester which co-chairs Element 46, said this is a great opportunity for new businesses to get the support they need to succeed.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our business sector in Westchester, but many fail especially in the early years because of a lack of support,’’ said Gordon. “Element 46 provides support services, mentorship and networking opportunities. When small businesses win, Westchester wins.”
The mentors will assist the startups chosen for the program by offering their expertise, time and support. Mentors are hand-picked leaders with specializations in technology, finance, business strategy, venture capital, marketing or other thought leaders. Mentors wishing to apply can do so at https://www.element46.org/mentors.
“With the Element 46 incubator program we are well on our way toward creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Westchester County where innovative ideas can flourish and evolve into successful business ventures,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer.
“We were very pleased by the outstanding quality of the applicants who were selected for our first cohort. The 12 startups who graduated in October presented a wide array of exciting and innovative projects. We are looking forward to the creative energy and ideas of our next cohort,” said Westchester County Office of Economic Development Director Bridget Gibbons.
The first cohort of 12 startups included: Michael Sellers of Journeyman Bakery; Orane Barrett of Kool Nerd Club; Marci Lobel-Esrig of SilverBills; John Bekisz of UASVues; Susanne Shoemaker of Undercare; Jack Martin of JackKnife Sharpening; Lisa Albanese of BioSand Bag Filter; Terence Finn of Velotooler; Alexander Davidas of DF Media; Beth Turner and Katie McCorry of Beyond Flowers and Food; Courtney Stanley of Tobu, and Chris Oates of Blue Yonder Brands, Inc.
“The Element 46 program helped our business exponentially,” commented Beyond Flowers and Food co-founders Beth Turner and Katie McCorry. “The access to mentors and training by subject-matter experts was exceptional, and it accelerated our strategic thinking and overall growth plans for our company. In addition, the exposure to the Westchester business community, and the networking opportunities that came with that, has already created new opportunities that we may never have had without the program.”
Startups, mentors, and service providers interested in learning more about the Element 46 program, should visit the website at Element46.org.
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