The Brandery, the region's first consumer marketing startup accelerator, has joined
TechStars Network, a new White House sponsored alliance of independently owned startup accelerators.
The Brandery launched this past summer to offer funding, mentoring and partnerships around local consumer marketing businesses. The Brandery's founders are David Knox, Bryan Radtke, J.B. Kropp and Rob McDonald.
The Brandery works with tech-based, consumer businesses including Internet, media and entertainment companies. The first class started late last fall, and between five and seven companies will be selected for the next class which starts in August.
Each applicant selected for the 12-week program will receive a $20,000 grant in exchange for equity in the company. Each company also will receive brand identity guidance from leading agencies including LPK, Resource Interactive, Barefoot Proximity, Empower MediaMarketing and Ample.
The TechStars Network is part of President Obama's new Startup America initiative that aims to boost high-growth entrepreneurship and job creation. TechStars is supporting that mission by linking 5,000 experienced business leaders and investors with 6,000 promising young entrepreneurs in mentor programs. The aim is to create 25,000 new economy jobs by 2015 through connecting entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders.
"The TechStars Network signals and formalizes our support for credible mentorship-driven programs like The Brandery. We believe the proliferation of the mentorship-driven accelerator model is healthy for entrepreneurs. Through this network of independent organizations, we can help increase their impact dramatically and make entrepreneurial communities the real winners," said David Cohen, founder and CEO of TechStars in a release announcing The Brandery's entrance into the network.
Members of the alliance can join through invitation only, Knox said. The invitation validates The Brandery's early work, he added.
"This gives us tremendous validation. This was our first year of seeing if we could create a high-quality program," Knox said. "This also gives us a national reach. It will increase the caliber of companies that will come to us, and the type of help that comes with (being part of TechStars)."
More than 70 companies from 15 states applied for the The Brandery's first class. Three of the six companies accepted moved to Cincinnati from outside the region. More than 30 mentors worked with the startups.
"This network will offer visibility that will help us continue to provide Cincinnati with a net gain of entrepreneurs," Knox said.
Applications for The Brandery's next class will be accepted starting April 1.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Dave Knox, co-founder of The Brandery
You can follow Feoshia on twitter
@feoshiawrites
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