Day: June 20, 2023

Arlington, VA, June 20, 2023 –(PR.com)– Builders + Backers and Heartland Forward announced the completion of the 2023 Winter Cohort with 92 new entrepreneurs receiving nearly $400,000 in funding to test their ideas, build products and launch their new ventures. 70% of the Cohort successfully launched a new venture. These entrepreneurs join over 300 prior graduates (called Builders) in 19 communities across 12 heartland states who have previously participated in the Idea Accelerator program and launched hundreds of new ventures.

The Idea Accelerator is based on the premise that there are promising ideas everywhere — from solutions that address major social challenges to novel innovations that can become game-changing, high-tech companies of tomorrow. Through a strategic partnership, Builders + Backers and Heartland Forward and an array of local funding partners are making the program freely available to anyone with a novel idea in the heartland, defined as the 20 states in the middle of the country which have historically been overlooked by venture capital investors.

The cohort-based program combines a 45-day virtual Builder Bootcamp to introduce participants to the latest, most effective entrepreneurial approaches to launching a venture, followed by 45 days of actively executing their ideas by running real-world experiments. Each Builder receives Pebble Funds which they use to test their ideas, build products, and launch new ventures.

To date, over 300 new Heartland ventures have launched as a result of the program. The Winter 2023 Heartland Cohort produced many exceptional ideas. For instance:

Second Keys (Marterrious McClain – Memphis, TN), a new approach and tools to make automating real estate appraisals easier, faster and more accurate than traditional analog methods.

Pecus (Juan Finol –Tulsa, OK), a first-of-its-kind online marketplace for cattle breeders and buyers to showcase, shop and purchase high-end cattle without the hassle of travel and in-person events.

Gnargo Bikes (Zach and Elysia Springer – Bentonville, AR), used bikes and recycled materials to build electric cargo bikes designed to carry significant cargo or kids at a lower cost and with less environmental impact.

Verified News Network (Brittany Harlow – Tulsa, OK), a grassroots news organization and recent recipient of a $15,000 Google News grant, that connects alternative narratives from marginalized communities with news outlets across the country.

Active Resume (Nolan Mackey – Mobile, AL), filling the gap for life and safety professionals who want to bolster their careers with a holistic career services platform.

Portico (Brian Nigg – Iowa City, IA), using proprietary models to help parents and students estimate the ROI on various aspects of college selecting and planning, ensuring that the investment is most effective.

“Millions of people across the U.S. are sitting on ideas for potential new products, services and companies,” said Donna Harris, founder and CEO of Builders + Backers. “Our no-cost, no-risk onramp means literally anyone with an idea can get started, and we are thrilled to fund these new entrepreneurs and see them bring their ideas to life. This is how we jump start economic growth across the nation.”

“Aspiring entrepreneurs across the heartland have ideas to solve problems facing their communities and launch new job-creating companies. They just need the resources and support to make those ideas a reality,” said Katie Milligan, Program Director of Workforce and Entrepreneurship for Heartland Forward. “The capital we’re providing at this idea stage enables Builders to put their ideas to the test and sets them on the path to create jobs and grow the economy.”

The Winter 2023 Heartland Cohort was made possible by generous funding from the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, the Iowa City Area Development Group, the Ford Motor Company Fund, Walmart, and the Eastern Shawnee Tribe.

The next Heartland Cohort of the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator program began on June 15th. With over 1,000 applications received and 155+ participants, it promises to be a very fruitful group of new entrepreneurs.

About Builders + Backers: Builders + Backers invests in exceptional entrepreneurs who are building global-scale ventures to power an entirely different future – one where technology creates value for many instead of capturing it for a few. Through proprietary programming, Builders + Backers also inspires and equips people to best seize the opportunities of our digital era – from experimentation and solving problems in their local communities to starting new ventures that could scale. By backing the most creative builders across the country, we can shape the digital future to be one in which more people participate and thrive. www.buildersandbackers.com

About Heartland Forward:
Heartland Forward’s mission is to improve economic performance in the center of the United States by advocating for fact-based solutions to foster job creation, knowledge-based and inclusive growth and improved health outcomes. We conduct independent, data-driven research to facilitate action-oriented discussion and impactful policy recommendations. The Idea Accelerator is brought to Oxford as part of Heartland Forward’s Community Growth Program and Toolkit. The CGPT is providing communities with the resources needed to help inspire new ideas, build upon existing programs and connect with resources to achieve success. www.heartlandforward.org/

Nashik, India, June 20, 2023 –(PR.com)– On June 18, 2023, Nashik Vyapari Aghadi organised a session on startup and standup awareness at Raosaheb Thorat Sabhagruha, KTHM college, Gangapur Road, Nashik, MH, India, with the assistance of a mentor from Startup India, MeitY Startup Hub & AYE & founder of PARENTNashik, CE. Shreekant Patil, who is also the chairman of NIMA Startup & Standup Committee.

The following luminaries graced this illuminating session. Prof. Smt. Devyani Farande ji (MLA), Smt. Seema Tai Hire (MLA), Hon. Minister Shri Girish Mahajan, President, Nashik BJP, Mr. Pradipji Peshkar etc.

More than 200 businesspeople (Vyapari) were present for this session to get insight on startups, standup ecosystems, seed funding, startup models, innovation, and how MSMEs and individuals can enter ecosystems. These businessmen came from several kinds of verticals, including pharmaceutical, medical, traders, service sector, agriculture, exporter, small business, etc.

To be competitive in the marketplace, traditional vyapari traders must upgrade their business models by adopting new technologies, adopting digital, leveraging social media for marketing, etc. In his session, Shreekant added.

Shreekant Patil explored the NIMA Startup Hub’s advantages for citizens like Vyapari from Nashik.

The initiative of NIMA Startup Hub provides assistance for MSMEs in the areas of mentoring, ideation, validation, registration, early stage, scaleup, seed finance, entrepreneurship, innovation challenges, government schemes, incubation, international bridge, talks, etc. One-on-one mentoring is a special benefit offered to all Nashikkars at this hub.

CE. Shreekant Patil was honoured by Hon. Minister Shri Girish ji Mahajan (Govt of Maharashtra) at the conclusion of the session. The minister acknowledged that the session was fruitful.

All startups, individuals, MSMEs, students, and women are welcome to access growth support at NIMA Startup Hub.

Shreekant Patil is running successfully his startup & exports 100% of robotic spot welding gun parts to Europe, USA.

Autonomous trucking company TuSimple recently completed a fully autonomous semi-truck run on public roads in China, a first for the country. The run took place on approved roads in Shanghai and covered a 40-mile stretch with various traffic and weather conditions.

This isn’t the first time TuSimple has achieved fully autonomous operations. They previously completed a similar run in the United States, but have not attempted to recreate the test since then. The company has not provided details on the success rate or any issues faced during the recent China run.

The decision to focus on China further indicates TuSimple’s commitment to the Asian market. The company had considered selling its China unit due to scrutiny from US regulators but ultimately decided to keep it after internal reshuffling. TuSimple has also been undergoing layoffs, mainly affecting its US-based staff.

In addition to China, TuSimple has started testing its self-driving truck technology in Japan. However, the company is currently facing the risk of delisting from the Nasdaq for failing to file quarterly results on time.