Winrock’s Multicultural Business Xcellerator to hold Demo Day, launch first cohort of founders
The Multicultural Business Xcellerator, led by Winrock International and funded by the Walton Family Foundation and the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, is designed to support scalable ventures led by multicultural founders. Through personalized mentoring, access to capital, and a robust network of investors and customers, MBX accelerates the growth of these promising startups. The project’s goal is to connect these founders to the thriving Northwest Arkansas ecosystem, where they can continue to grow and succeed.
MBX is excited to announce its first-ever Demo Day on Aug. 1, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. (CT) at Record Downtown in Bentonville, Arkansas. This event marks the culmination of an incredible journey for the first MBX cohort, a group of exceptional multicultural founders who are ready to showcase their innovative companies and the strides they have made.
Meet the first cohort
The MBX project’s inaugural cohort comprises 10 cutting-edge companies that span various industries from healthcare technology to retail innovation. Many of these companies are from outside the region, looking to tap into the NWA ecosystem for investment opportunities and customer connections. Here’s a glimpse of the impressive startups you’ll meet:
- Boxes – Founded by Fernando Machin, Houston, Texas: A retail platform enhancing shopping experiences with free samples, interactive surveys and discount coupons.
- EmployWell Inc. – Co-founded by Natalie Shew and Steffany Benton, Fayetteville, Arkansas: An AI-powered care coordination assistant for clinics.
- femPAQ Inc. – Founded by April Roy, Fayetteville, Arkansas: A comprehensive solution for managing unexpected menstrual emergencies.
- Fitnescity – Founded by Laila Zemrani, Newark, New Jersey: Aggregates consumer-initiated health tests with a personal analytics platform.
- Greens Health – Co-founded by Isis and Kehlin Swain, Birmingham, Alabama: A virtual concierge service that addresses the social determinants of health for diabetic and chronic condition patients.
- Hightag – Co-founded by Alex and Jonathan de la Fuente, Bentonville, Arkansas: Smart cameras capture photos and videos of athletes at sports venues.
- Patientory Inc. – Founded by Chrissa McKnight, Atlanta, Georgia: A data-driven platform for patient retention and clinical trial recruitment.
- ROYBI – Founded by Elnaz Sarraf, San Jose, California: Pioneers in edutainment with educational robots and immersive virtual learning.
- Smart Eye Technology Inc. – Founded by Dexter Caffey, Bentonville, Arkansas: Provides continuous facial tracking for securing Chrome browser access.
- UpSquad – Founded by Derrick Reives, Bentonville, Arkansas with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee: A workforce relationship management app for cities, schools and economic development groups.
Why attend?
These companies have already made significant progress, with notable amounts of capital raised and impressive revenues, demonstrating their potential and readiness to scale. MBX Demo Day will be a fantastic opportunity to see their pitches, connect with these talented founders and be part of their growth journey. Whether you’re an investor, a potential customer, or a partner, this event is your chance to engage with the next wave of innovative startups.
When?
Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (CT)
Where?
Record Downtown, 104 SW A Street, Bentonville, Arkansas
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