Vermont Business Magazine LaunchVT, a division of the Lake Champlain Chamber, has selected eight Vermont startups to participate in its 2023 Accelerator. This is the eleventh cohort to come through LaunchVT’s flagship program. Over the past ten years, LaunchVT has provided business development support, strategic coaching, and over $1 million in cash and services to accelerate 71 Vermont startups statewide.
“We’re thrilled about the promise these eight startups show,” said Cathy Davis, President of the Lake Champlain Chamber. She continued, “The Chamber’s work is to create economic opportunity for all Vermonters. LaunchVT is a key way we do that, and we’re thankful for the enormous community support.”
Entrepreneurs in the LaunchVT cohort will work with a dedicated business coach and strategic advisors to address their startup’s most pressing needs. They will also participate in peer sessions, office hours with business advisors, and workshops with content experts over the 12-week program, which begins on April 12th.
The program will culminate with Demo Night on June 20 from 5-8 pm, where the cohort of founders will pitch their businesses to investors and the public. Hula will host the event, and Tom Messner will serve as the evening’s emcee. Each entrepreneur will leave the program with a refined and polished pitch deck, a one-page executive summary for investors, and extensive connections to advisors, investors, service providers, and other local founders.
“During our previous ten cohorts, LaunchVT has accelerated our most promising founders and their ventures, and the tradition of excellence continues for our 2023 cycle,” says LaunchVT Director Lauren Bass. “Our incoming cohort is exceptional. Some of our founders have already gone to market and have achieved six and seven-digit annual revenues; others have already secured early-stage funding. These companies currently display fantastic traction and will create outstanding jobs for Vermonters delivering lasting value creation in our region.”
The startups selected for the 2023 LaunchVT Accelerator Cohort are:
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Founders: Brendan O’Brien, Terry Therrien, Ryan Lau, Michael Curtis
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Starksboro, VT and Chester, VT
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Lawn Fiber™ is a sustainable absorbent solid byproduct of digested dairy manure that protects freshly seeded lawns, increases water retention, and provides nutrients to support lush growth.
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Founder: Ashley Farland
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Starksboro, VT
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DandyLion combines creative vision with handcrafted expertise and original flair to make heirloom-quality products for the home and kitchen.
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Founders: Jason Van Nest, Jim Verzino
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Brattleboro, VT
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Modernizing and streamlining the logistics of construction with modular solutions.
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Founders: Max Luthy, Luke Montgomery-Smith
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Richmond, VT
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Plink’s awarding-winning electrolyte tablets make drinking water fun for the whole family without the waste of canned and bottled drinks.
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Founder: Sarah Lyman
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Vergennes, VT
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Re-framing divorce from "failed marriage" to "fresh start" through resources and community support.
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Founder: Joshua Costa
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Burlington, VT
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Sleep Well Recycling diverts and recycles mattresses by converting them into raw recyclable materials and keeps them out of landfills.
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Founders: Dr. Turner Osler, MD, Lex Osler
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Burlington, VT
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QOR360’s active chairs improve posture, relieve back pain, strengthen the core, improve focus, and increase metabolism.
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Founders: Jeffrey DeJarnette, Luke Kosby
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Rutland, VT
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Tacitly’s XR training for healthcare reduces errors, improves outcomes, cuts costs, and streamlines onboarding.
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LaunchVT is made possible thanks to their amazing partners, including Ari Souliotis, Arion Thiboumery, BTVIgnite, Casey Johnson, Codingscape, David Schmidt, Dinse P.C., Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC, Doug Merrill, Dudley Fund, Forecast LLC, FreshTracks Capital, Jason Dolatshahi, JHCapital, Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLP, Hula, Jeff Chu, Jim Frazier, Jim Feinson, Lee Bouyea, Leonardo’s Pizza, Matanya Horowitz, Merrill Family Foundation, Myla Lai-Goldman, National Bank of Middlebury, Neil Bainton, Rho Impact, Ruth and Peter Metz Family Foundation, M&T Bank, Northeast Delta Dental, NFP, Scout Media, Tom Messner, University of Vermont, Vermont Department of Economic Development, VSECU, and Vermont Economic Development Authority.
LaunchVT is a division of the Lake Champlain Chamber, Vermont’s largest business advocacy organization. The Lake Champlain Chamber powers prosperity in the Lake Champlain region through five distinct points: seeking economic opportunity for all; celebrating business ownership and entrepreneurship; promoting a robust, diversified visitor economy; cultivating community leadership; and nurturing emerging talent.
To learn more about LaunchVT, visit www.launchvt.com.
To learn more about the Lake Champlain Chamber, visit www.lccvermont.org.
Source: BURLINGTON, VT - (April 11th, 2023): LaunchVT
