By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced that the District’s Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund will help 17 businesses in a third round of funding, amounting to $1.8 million.
PHOTO: AP Photo/Evan Vucci
The fund has been made available through collaboration with 1863 Ventures with help from Mayor Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. It was developed to help entrepreneurs, small business owners and local businesses have equity when it comes to resources and barriers that can be difficult to overcome.
“Through investments like the Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund, we are helping more D.C. founders of color and women founders start and grow their businesses here in the Capital of Innovation,” Mayor Bowser said in a statement. “We’re proud to partner with D.C. Startup and Tech Week to foster a thriving and inclusive community of entrepreneurs, innovators and dreamers.”
D.C. Startup and Tech Week is an annual conference that welcomes business owners, investors, entrepreneurs and others to commune and discuss the future of entrepreneurship. The event extends for a whole week and hosts workshops, panels, networking opportunities and more.
Rachel Koretsky, director of D.C. Startup and Tech Week, expressed the importance of the conference in a statement.
“D.C. Startup and Tech Week is vital to foster a thriving startup community as we bring together thousands of founders, investors and innovators during this week and throughout the year to strengthen the region’s role to be a premier hub for groundbreaking tech, innovation and entrepreneurship,” she said. “D.C. is a thriving hub for tech and innovation, and we’re proud our conference has become a cornerstone for fueling collaboration that empowers founders to turn their bold ideas into reality.”
According to Mayor Bowser’s office, “the investments include low-interest loans, revenue-based financing and equity investments, supporting companies in tech, consumer products and high-growth sectors.”
The 17 recipients grants through the Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund are as follows:
AskHumans
This platform gathers customer feedback using AI to analyze responses and present sentiment trends.
Binkey
This business provides allows businesses to accept Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Health Savings Account (HSA) payments to help navigate healthcare costs.
Chad O’L PR and Events
This business specializes in creative brand and digital marketing, event planning and advertising strategies.
Clear Eye Test
This vision technology company offers the world’s first digital optical prescription, providing 24/7 access to virtual eye testing and connections to eye care professionals.
Cookie Wear Fashions
This custom clothing and home goods company celebrates the retro era and has designs inspired by the fashions from the 60s to the 90s.
ET OLIVA
This LGBT-owned company sells gourmet Mediterranean food and beverages online and in retail stores.
Go Together, Inc.
This business is a K12 transportation platform, created to help parents and schools organize safe and cost-effective transportation.
IndyGeneUS AI
This is a Black-owned, veteran-operated company advancing precision medicine with AI and a DNA repository for individuals of African descent.
Mocktail Club
This company develops premium non-alcoholic cocktails. Their drinks are available in 1,500 retail locations such as Whole Foods and Target.
Myles Comfort Food and Beverages
This company offers premium and healthy mac and cheese alternatives with all-natural ingredients.
Oh Mazing Food and Beverages
This company sells gourmet, allergy-friendly granola snacks available in stores like Whole Foods and Target.
Omega 3
This business produces granola bars and cereals promoting brain health and then distributes their product through schools and e-commerce.
Path AI
This AI-powered educational platform provides affordable test prep and career tools, which recently launched a $25,000 scholarship for high school and college students.
RASA
This Indian fast-casual restaurant offers healthful, flavorful meals in the DMV area.
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