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Cohort 1 – Spring 2019

Building networks that support early-stage entrepreneurs and accelerate existing neighborhood businesses through training and mentorships, connections to regional partnerships, job opportunities and increased access to financial resources.

COHORT 1

These 13 San Diego startups, ranging from cafes and beauty to education and technology, were CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center’s inaugural cohort. As the first group to experience San Diego’s only business accelerator program focused on low-to-moderate income and diverse founders, their journey began with a ribbon cutting welcome and wrapped up with Entrepreneur Pitch Day, presented by Union Bank, which awarded five business grants to the pitch competition’s winners. To learn more about these thriving San Diego businesses, visit the websites below.

Kelly Twichel

Butterfly Boutique & Day Spa

Imani Robinson

Faveo

Xavier Rodriguez

Nomad Donuts

Brad Keiller

Mapigator

Linda St. Julian and Janine Boleda

PromoDrone

Jamar Williams

Shukor Bella

Roza Adams

Smart Guider

Kelvin Crosby

Standard Spoon

Rachel Eva and Shawn Michael

SurfDurt

Maxine Chapman and Nicollette Remmel

The Dojo Cafe

Carlos McCray, Tayari Shorter, Nancy Vallejo and Kristina Ler

Up-Talent

Rafael Platas

Viet Mai and Sean Uriarte

Kelly Twichel

Access Trax is an innovative startup proud to introduce the only foldable portable pathway that empowers pedestrians with all abilities. Beach Trax provides access to wheelchair users, pedestrians, carts and strollers. It is the only portable, lightweight, foldable pathway for accessibility over uneven terrain.

Industry Type:Service

Website:accesstraxsd.com

Butterfly Boutique & Day Spa

Imani Robinson

The salon offers various price points for quality beauty products and services based on customer’s needs. The salon also hosts a boutique for exclusive products and one-of-a-kind accessories.

Faveo

Xavier Rodriguez

Faveo provides a platform that allows individuals and businesses to manage unpredictability by augmenting their existing labor force with hourly to daily “Helpmates” who can come in within a few hours and do labor-intensive work.

Industry Type:Service

Website:faveomoves.com

Nomad Donuts

Brad Keiller

Nomad Donuts Bakery & Cafe offers an ever evolving menu of donuts, bagels, pastries and coffee. He offers internationally inspired, from scratch bakery goods with a focus on quality and our community.

Industry Type:Food & Beverage

Website:nomaddonuts.com

Mapigator

Linda St. Julian and Janine Boleda

Mapigator is a website that matches people with all types of disabilities to the businesses that can accommodate their specific needs and lifestyle preferences.

Industry Type:Technology

Website:mapigator.com

PromoDrone

Jamar Williams

PromoDrone is one of the world’s first drone-advertising platforms designed specifically for event marketing to attract and engage.

Industry Type:Technology

Website:promo-drone.co

Shukor Bella

Roza Adams

Shukor Bella’s goal is to assist customers on their journey to a healthier lifestyle of grooming. Shukor Bella offers handcrafted hair, skin & body products, with nature in mind.

Industry Type:Retail

Website:shukorbella.com

Smart Guider

Kelvin Crosby

Smart Guider™ builds low-technology to high-technology tools that make traveling the physical world easier for blind and deafblind individuals. Beginning with the low-technology navigation solution of a lighted blind cane to a full-robotic technology navigation solution that autonomously guides a blind person, Smart Guider™ is building the steppingstones to a more accessible world for all people.

Industry Type:Retail

Website:thesmartguider.com

Standard Spoon

Rachel Eva and Shawn Michael

Standard Spoon crafts premium cocktail tools with innovation, integrity and aesthetics at their core.

Industry Type:Retail

Website:standardspoon.com

SurfDurt

Maxine Chapman and Nicollette Remmel

Industry Type:Retail

Website:.surfdurt.com

The Dojo Cafe

Carlos McCray, Tayari Shorter, Nancy Vallejo and Kristina Ler

The Dojo Cafe is a social enterprise: a for-profit business with a social mission. Its goal is to create a sustainable model and use its revenue streams to provide free community programs and events. These events take place at a coffee shop in the heart of City Heights.

Industry Type:Food & Beverage/ Social Impact

Website:thedojocafe.com

Up-Talent

Rafael Platas

Industry Type:Technology

Website:uptalent.io

Viet Mai and Sean Uriarte

Vincii is an online platform that facilitates in-person learning experiences. While Vincii can be used by everyone, the company is dedicated to designing an innovative education model that is attractive to and meets the needs of “Opportunity Learners” – those who desire personal and professional growth, but may be disconnected from the traditional education system.