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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/
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