June 24, 2019 - Westchester County’s new Element 46 Incubator program got off to a fast start as nearly 100 business leaders were on hand for the official kickoff of the program that is designed to inspire and support entrepreneurial talent and the development of new businesses in the County.
The evening event, which was held June 18 at Koi Creative Space in downtown White Plains, featured the 12 startups that have been chosen as the first cohorts selected to have free workspace at Element 46 Incubator. The startups made pitches about their company to an audience of mentors and investors.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Westchester County has all of the most important ingredients for start-up success—location, infrastructure, transportation, business expertise, investor interest, talent and more. By bringing together the very best entrepreneurial ideas and supporting them with the immense talent and resources of this County, I’m confident that we’ll be able to cultivate high-growth companies that will drive economic development for Westchester, and also serve as a great reminder of the benefits of working, living and playing right in our County.”
Westchester County Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons said: “We are delighted at the tremendous turnout we had for the kickoff of the Element 46 Incubator. There was great deal of energy and excitement in the room among the mentors and investors who attended. We are laser focused on attracting startups to Westchester and creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Element 46 will have a positive impact on economic growth in communities across the County by maximizing the success of emerging, startup companies.”
Business Council of Westchester President and CEO Marsha Gordon, who serves as Co-Chair of the Element 46 Board of Directors with Bridget Gibbons, said: “The Business Council of Westchester is pleased to be working closely with the County in developing this innovative and transformative program that helps budding entrepreneurs turn their bright ideas into thriving businesses.”
Start-up Finalist Marci Lobel-Esrig, founder of SilverBills, said: “I’m very honored to have been selected and I think we’re going to benefit a lot from this. My team is all really excited about the connections that we’re going to make and all of the experiences we are going to get from this.”
Start-up Finalist Orane Barrett, founder of Kool Nerd Club, said: “There is a need. There are a lot of smart people living here that want to start businesses here. As Bridget said, now they don’t have to go to New York City. Westchester is now becoming that hub and that place where people can find access, resources and support, and the community has been tremendously supportive.
The mentors will assist the startups chosen for the program for by offering their expertise, time and support. Mentors are hand-picked leaders with specializations in technology, finance, business strategy, venture capital, marketing or other thought leaders. Mentors select a startup to work with through the duration of the 4-month Incubator Program.
The startups making their pitches at the kickoff event are listed below. Click on the links to watch the pitches:
Journeyman Bakery is a bread-by-subscription bakery based in Peekskill, NY that specializes in naturally fermented (sourdough) loaves.
Kool Nerd Club is a “workforce exposure company” that partners with employers to provide early career exposure to diverse students resulting in a prepared talent pipeline.
SilverBills receives, scrutinizes and stores bills on behalf of clients and ensures that bills are paid on time and correctly.
UAS Vues, LLC. is an unmanned aerial systems (UAS) consulting and service provider in the New York metropolitan area based in Westchester County.
UnderCare is creating adaptive undergarments that do not require one to bend, balance, or stand on one leg in order to get dressed.
LEAP intends to be the first of its kind, state-of-the-art indoor parkour and obstacle training course for kids 5+ in Westchester County.
JackKnife Sharpening provides both residential and commercial sharpening of all cutlery, Serrated, gardening and other tools.
BioSand Bag Filter Company is dedicated to becoming the leading supplier of green, affordable, continuous water filters in the global effort to combat the world’s water crisis.
Velotooler is a B2B software company that is streamlining the $35+ billion bicycle industry by connecting bicycle manufacturers with local skilled service providers to deliver service at the consumer's home.
DF Media is an integrated media company, focused on creating authentic and high quality car-centric video content.
Blue Yonder Brands, Inc. is introducing a new line of uniquely sourced sparkling waters that are 100% extracted from real, water-rich organic fruit such as watermelons and oranges.
Beyond Flowers and Food, Inc. is reinventing the way people support each other during life’s hardest moments, such as during an illness or after a death.
“We are delighted at the tremendous turnout we had for the kickoff of the Element 46 Incubator. There was great deal of energy and excitement in the room among the mentors and investors who attended,” said Westchester County Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons. “We are laser focused on attracting startups to Westchester and creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Element 46 will have a positive impact on economic growth in communities across the County by maximizing the success of emerging, startup companies,” she added.
“The Business Council of Westchester is pleased to be working closely with the County in developing this innovative and transformative program that helps budding entrepreneurs turn their bright ideas into thriving businesses,” said Business Council of Westchester President and CEO Marsha Gordon who serves as Co-Chair of the Element 46 Board of Directors along with Bridget Gibbons.
Startups, mentors, service providers and co-working spaces interested in learning more about the Element 46 program, should visit the website at Element46.org.