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May 27, 2022

Local entrepreneurs chosen to turn business ideas into reality

PHOTO | Courtesy Collab
By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich

From a smart potty designed to simplify toilet-training for toddlers to bringing Guatemalan cuisine to New Haven’s food scene, local entrepreneurs are getting a boost with their prospective business ventures.

Nine Connecticut-based entrepreneurs have been selected to participate in the Collab Accelerator program for 2022. The Accelerator is New Haven-based Collab’s flagship program whose core mission is to provide education, mentorship and funding to Connecticut entrepreneurs who aim to build enterprises that impact their communities.

The program, now in its fifth year, provides an intensive, 12-week program geared to help entrepreneurs get their businesses up and running.

Participants receive in-depth, one-on-one coaching, an educational curriculum and a pro bono partner network. Past graduates of the Collab Accelerator, which include The Notorious P.I.C. and Peels and Wheels Composting, have gone on to create successful business ventures, receive investment, create local jobs and more.

Of the nearly 100 program graduates over the past five years, 83 percent are people of color and 74 percent are women.

During the 12-week program, the selected entrepreneurs are connected to mentors and pro bono services to assist with legal and accounting matters. At the program’s conclusion, entrepreneurs will showcase their ideas to community and industry leaders at a graduation ceremony, according to Collab Executive Director Dawn Leaks. 

“We’re thrilled to support this inspiring cohort of early-stage entrepreneurs,” said Leaks. “Our role at Collab is to provide them an intensive experience while in the Accelerator, as well as a deep net of support for the remainder of their growth journey.”

The nine entrepreneurs selected for 2022 are as follows:

  • Bright Raven Studios; Founder: Gabriela De Jesus. A studio that creates locally handcrafted, small-batch pottery
  • EC Potty; Founder: Ming Hui. EC Potty is a smart-potty designed to help busy parents teach their babies how to use the potty with confidence at an earlier age using sensors, cues and signals.
  • Herjourns Leadership Solutions; Founder: Shanta Smith. Provides professional research curriculum focused on reducing turnover, burnout rates and reducing school system costs.
  • Hip-Hop Exec Academy: Founder: Christian Farrad. Provides youth and prison-returning citizens with educational training programming and on-the-job opportunities to help put them back on track.
  • La Cocina de Sandra; Founders: Sandra & Elmer Galvez.  Food business that seeks to deliver artisan, Guatemalan-influenced dishes to the Greater New Haven Area.
  • Recreate Collection; Founder: Monica Lee. A clothing company that makes fashion-forward, functional and inclusive-sized designs made in the USA for the environmentally-conscious consumer.
  • Uncommon Work; Founder: Danielle Russell. Provides a simple and effective planner to help entrepreneurs structure their day.
  • Unique Mobile Notary Services; Founder: Melissa Lytrelle Singleton. Provides a mobile office space and essential office amenities for entrepreneurs and professionals to meet their business and notary needs.
  • Xander’s Cold Brew; Founder: Daniel Miller. Provides craft, cold brew coffee that offers a cafe level experience at work or home for less.

For more information, visit www.collabnewhaven.org.

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