Katherine Olives
For many of our students, it doesn't stop at the Final Pitch. Today we're pleased to announce the ten startups that will participate in our Accelerator this summer. Check them out below:
Design & Disorder is a multi-pronged technology for the deaf community and those with hearing loss, combining a stylish wearable with sensors in the home to help individuals identify & locate sounds. Not only will these individuals feel safer (theyll hear a door opening, the water running, etc.), but it will allow individuals to establish more independence. One of the co-founders, Heba Attia (a Psychology major), has a personal experience with this that drives the team forward. Shes joined by Marvel Delva, an Architecture major, and Elmi Jimenez, an Electrical Engineering student, both equally determined to bring this idea to life.
The Coach is an interactive, automated boxing device that trains you & makes working out fun. The Coach team is dedicated to fitness and believes its the best preventive medicine. However, they know working out isnt always easy, and it certainly isnt always fun. Their goal is to bring an engaging boxing HIIT workout into the home to fit busy lifestyles, almost like a Peloton for boxing. The Coach is made up of Mechanical Engineering majors Okiermute Oyiborhoro and Mahutin Paul, Computer Engineering major Krongchai Praponpoj, Computer Science major Nicholas Weatherley, and graduate student Granville Parker. They won first place in the Kaylie Hardware Prize, worth $50,000, and they'll use the funds to make more devices.
Fruition is one of our edtech teams concerned about study habits. Having never learned how to study, they spent a lot of their high school days perfecting different study methods and helping friends develop study guides. Their goal is to help students understand how they need to study through learning assessments, and then develop personalized study plans around their study type. The Fruition team is made up of Political Science major Emma Montero, Computer Engineering major Ostavo Palacios, Computer Science major Jimmaely Valdez, and Mechanical Engineering major (and student athlete!) Nahomi Zambrano.
Luxz is tackling another big problem in society€“the issue of sexual violence. This team is building an organization that helps survivors of sexual assault reclaim their lives through a combination of support groups, non-traditional therapy (meditation, yoga, art, etc.), and career services. Much of the current support for survivors focuses on legal and medical services, but the team at Luxz knows first hand that rape and sexual assault can completely alter someones life. So far theyve held workshops & will host a Take Back the Night event on campus. The team is made up of Jewish Studies major Ashley Persaud and Biology major Devjani Paul.
MoneyMiles is a fitness app centered around runners. Through running competitions and personalized analytics, their goal is to encourage everyone to get out and run more! Although entering a crowded space, the MoneyMiles team is excited to focus on the motivations of runners, and they spend a lot of time talking to runners to truly understand what they need. A group of fitness junkies themselves, the team believes in the power of exercise to relieve stress, stay healthy, and make friends. The MoneyMiles team is made up of Computer Environmental Engineering student Jennifer Duong, Computer Engineering student Simranjit Kaur, Computer Science student Bhavesh Shah, and Anim Xhafa. MoneyMiles took home the first place prize in the Zahn Technology track, $25,000.
Olacare is a customizable sexual & reproductive health app for the LGBTQ community. Having experienced healthcare that didnt consider issues outside of a heterosexual cisgender life, the Olacare team decided to create a more inclusive experience. Through Olacare, users can take control of their sexual and reproductive health, as well as find doctors who are either part of the LGBTQ community or are allies. The Olacare team is made up of Brivia Bobby, a Biology major with a minor in Psychology; Anthony Bravo, a Computer Engineering major; Tyler Jimenez Perez, an Electronic Design & Multimedia major; and Natascha Krishnanand, a Spanish & French double-major. Olacare won second place in the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize.
Popit is helping individuals achieve their goals, build skills, and learn about knew topics. Theyre essentially a digital idea board, allowing users to organize screenshots, photos, and links in one place. The app also sets reminders and makes suggestions based on location. The idea was inspired by founder & Computer Science student Michal Moryosefs passion for dance. After serving in the military in her home in Israel, Michal came to the US to pursue her passion for dancing, but found that it was difficult to stay on track and find the right resources in a bustling city. She hopes this tool will help others reinvigorate their sense of goal-setting. Shes joined by Gabriel Adalla (studying Business), Greg Kimatov (studying Computer Science), and Mei Yolles (studying Applied Mathematics & Musical Performance).
SheFFA is a local, community-driven social enterprise dedicated to eradicating female genital cutting, is another competitor in the Social Impact track. Theyre working with young activists and community organizers to educate individuals on the effects of female genital cutting, with the hopes of eradicating the practice both here in the US and abroad. Theyre also working with doctors who specialize in reconstructive surgery to help more survivors access the surgery. The SheFFA team is made up of Biology major Arielle Brutus, Nonya Khedr, and Political Science student Shza Zaki. SheFFA took home the second place prize in the Zahn Social Impact track.
STEM Hive is a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging young girls in STEM fields! The idea was born at a Hackathon here at CCNY when the founders realized that they werent the only ones who questioned careers in STEM even after loving science and robotics all their lives. STEM Hive is on a mission to make sure that girls never lose their interest in STEM and pursue careers in the field. Theyll use a combination of near-peer mentorship, workshops, skill-building curriculum, and more to keep young girls engaged in STEM. The team is made up of Brandinf& Integrated Communication grad student Penelope Herrera, Biochemistry major Karla Jacome, Biology major Carolina Perez, and Computer Engineering major Daniel Gaston. STEM Hive won first place in the Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC Prize.
WiseWatch is a stylish and customizable tracking device for individuals suffering from dementia. The bracelet will give caregivers and family members peace of mind, while also allowing people with dementia to gain more independence. This idea was inspired by one of the cofounders personal experience with his grandmother, and those of us who have experienced dementia know how terrifying it is to have your loved one wander off, vulnerable. The WiseWatch team is made up of Mechanical Engineering majors Nikolas Arsenlis and Norphel Sherpa, Computer Science majors Danish Faruqi and Thomas Ly, and recent grad Bethold Kobe Owusu. WiseWatch took home second place in the Kaylie Hardware Prize.
During the Accelerator, each startup will receive a $10,000 stipend so that at least two members from each team can dedicate 40 hours a week to the program. This is made possible by a generous sponsorship from CCNY alum Howard Morgan, Co-Founder of First Round Capital. Startups will work towards individual milestones with specific end goals that could include acceptance into a top tier accelerator program or seed/angel round investment. Theyll receive access to expert mentors and will gain introductions to closed-door meetings with senior advisors, investors, and business partners specifically chosen to meet their needs.
There will also be an educational component to the program in the form of daily workshops, as well as tailored consulting from Zahn staff. Startups will spend the summer conducting further market research and finishing their prototypes, all while developing a clearer understanding of their business from a financial perspective. Each team will receive individual help applying for grants, contracts, and other competitions. Experts from BNY Mellon and Willkie Farr & Gallagher will mentor startups throughout the program.
The Accelerator kicks off the week of June 10th with investigative meetings with investors. If youd like to be a part of that, please email
katherine@zahncenternyc.com
with your interest.
Well share their progress live on social media throughout the summer, so make sure you follow us @ZahnCenterNYC for updates!