Introducing the 2024 WBENC Collegiate Accelerator Cohort!

Aalliyeh Clinton

Monneah’s Engineered Materials is a chemical defense manufacturing company dedicated to evolving, empowering, and encouraging its scientists. The company specializes in crafting quality PPE that ensures effective protection, elevated comfort, and exclusive fashion.

Aisha Harris

Aisha Harris is the driving force behind Maximum Healthcare Solutions, a thriving home health care business known for its dedication to personalized and compassionate healthcare services. As the founder and visionary leader, Aisha has cultivated a team of skilled professionals committed to enhancing the well-being of clients in the comfort of their homes. Maximum Healthcare Solutions stands as a testament to Aisha’s strategic thinking and innovative approach, positioning the company as a leader in the healthcare industry. With a focus on community impact and leveraging technology to optimize service delivery, Maximum Healthcare Solutions under Aisha’s leadership is dedicated to shaping the future of home healthcare, one client at a time.

Alondra Castillo

With a focus on making car maintenance as stress-free and complicated as possible, WiseWheel is committed to revolutionizing the automotive industry and ensuring a seamless and informed user experience. WiseWheel is an easy-to-use app that simplifies vehicle maintenance by giving users knowledge about their specific vehicle so they can make informed maintenance decisions confidently. With features such as service education, service pricing estimator, maintenance reminders, mechanic shop reviews, and more, WiseWheel is a one-stop shop to ensure proper care of one’s vehicle.

Cailie Zeidler

Mindful Monster, founded by Cailie Zeidler, is a meditation app designed for children aged 5 to 12, addressing the alarming rise in childhood anxiety globally. With a unique approach, the app allows kids to create personalized monster avatars that guide them through engaging and interactive guided meditations. With successful MVPs and positive feedback, we aim to empower children to navigate stress and succeed—one mindful monster at a time.

Carlynn Andrews

Did you know that many Black women and minorities face critical self-esteem issues in today’s society, where a narrow standard of beauty and value is often promoted? This has led to various mental health issues, including depression and body dysmorphia. As a young woman who has experienced some of these challenges, I believe it’s extremely important to instill a positive sense of self worth and confidence in my community, and it all starts with the youth. My gift of creativity, along with this challenge is what inspired me to create “Carlynn The Artist”, where I strive to promote self love, natural beauty, and wellness through my art collections and products. I want people to see themselves in my art and embrace their uniqueness to pursue their purpose. My solution works by promoting & selling “art with purpose” collections such as “Black Girls are IT” and “Naturally YOU” on useful products such as canvases, notebooks, backpacks, etc.

Cayla Jackson

A Knew U is an online educational platform where people can find the tools they need to teach them how to realistically achieve the looks they desire. The site emphasizes maintaining authenticity, sparing clients the hassle of figuring out what actually works and what is simply a marketing tool. We also offer our clients the option to book providers for services or purchase products from them if needed. We have a team of specialized experts to ensure we have something for everyone, regardless of style or preference.

Chantel Brooks

Lucky Lotus Holistic Care is your sanctuary for comprehensive well-being, where mind, body, and spirit unite in a journey toward optimal health. With a commitment to holistic healing, we offer a harmonious blend of personalized nutrition, mindful practices, and fitness solutions. At Lucky Lotus, we believe in empowering individuals to embrace wellness as a lifestyle, fostering resilience and balance. Our dedicated team of experts is devoted to guiding you on a transformative path, ensuring that every step aligns with your unique journey to a healthier, happier life.”

Courtney Simmons

The C-Word is a social media app that allows black women living with breast cancer to easily connect with their peers to receive the benefits of peer support. Connecting with a peer support group can help the mental health of newly diagnosed women and allow survivors to mentor and guide those seeking help.

Ebony Jenkins

We rear insects for human consumption and feed. We will focus on some of the lesser-known insects that are normally consumed. Insects are already allowed in our food, so what is a few more going to hurt?

Emily Untermeyer

Founded by a former Division I tennis player and competitive powerlifter, Ruby builds all-natural, science-backed, NSF Certified for Sport supplements to promote female athletes’ menstrual health. Our first product, Ruby Relief, is a fast-acting drink mix created to target bloating, cramping, fatigue, and mood imbalances to ensure that periods stop putting athletes on the bench. We are currently fundraising for a launch of Ruby Relief in early 2024.

Jannella Perez Torres

BlissfulBlends is a pioneering force in the wellness industry, dedicated to offering a curated selection of toxin-free home and personal care products. Founded by CEO Jannella Perez Torres, BlissfulBlends partners with brands and businesses to bring dermatologist-endorsed, eco-friendly alternatives directly to consumers through personalized quizzes and monthly subscription options. Going beyond traditional beauty, BlissfulBlends extends its commitment to safety and quality to include kitchen appliances and baby care items, all crafted without plastic. With a focus on affordability and accessibility, BlissfulBlends is redefining self-care by delivering premium solutions for all your needs.

Joanie Johnson

Interplay is focused on easing the lives of busy pet parents with our patent pending product, the PlayTach. With the Interplay PlayTach, pet parents can now remotely control their dog’s crating experience with the click of a button. Our product allows them to dispense food & water, see & talk, and play music & sound for their dog from their phone while away via the Interplay App. Simply install the PlayTach to your existing dog crate, download the Interplay App, connect the device, and interact with your dog!

Kamyah Pontiflet

Bio-Cell Cases is a sustainable tech accessory brand dedicated to offering eco-friendly and stylish solutions for protecting your devices. Our focus lies in crafting quality biodegradable phone cases that not only safeguard your phone but also contribute to reducing environmental impact. Made from renewable materials, our phone cases provide exceptional protection while ensuring a guilt-free, eco-conscious choice for consumers. At Bio-Cell Cases, we believe in merging style with sustainability, empowering individuals to make a positive environmental impact with every purchase.

Karmyn Tatum

Royalty Tax, LLC., founded in 2022 by Karmyn Tatum, emerged from her passion for providing tax advisory, resolution, and planning services for her friends. What began as a college dorm startup has swiftly evolved into a thriving venture, marked by an unwavering dedication to providing a luxury experience to clientele. Alongside our members-only tax oasis design, Royalty Tax embraces cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality tax preparation to provide clients the luxury of tax preparation without leaving home. In 2025, we hope to open our first location in Celebration, Florida.

Latia Boney

B.E. Connected is an innovative software that will transform the college application experience for students attending HBCUs. B.E. Connected software will streamline the application process, providing students with real-time admissions decisions, financial aid award amounts, and housing assignments all at once, on one screen! Having access to this pertinent information will optimize the performance time of university administration and enhance the student’s ability to make informed decisions about where to attend college.

Layah Gaine

Cakepops by Lay serves and caters delicious and well portioned cakepops in a variety of flavors including cinnamon toast crunch, s’mores, oreo, caramel chocolate and more. Cakepops by Lay is dedicated to satisfying everyone’s sweet tooth including those with dietary needs. When we open our business store front we will continue to contribute to the growing U.S. Bakery and Bread Market by selling cakepops nationwide. We plan to change the world one cakepop at a time!

Lina Suber

INVSTD is a mobile food grocer servicing food deserts. By partnering with local farmers, INVSTD hopes to make shopping nutritiously a convenience for historically marginalized communities. Thus, INVSTD is an investment into the community.

Mariel Lopez-Jorgensen

Mocktail Memories is not just a business; we’re a movement revolutionizing the beverage industry. Our crafted elegance delivers stunning custom mocktail menus, creating unforgettable experiences for events. Beyond drinks, our mocktails are works of art, perfect for social media. Committed to health and inclusivity, we offer non-alcoholic drinks catering to various preferences. Specializing in personalization, we work with event planners to leave a lasting impression, making mocktails the epitome of cool.

Miya Reddrick

GLIMMER. by Alise is a pioneering company at the intersection of beauty, wellness, and mental health. Offering a unique blend of therapy, with the use of beauty/spa treatments, GLIMMER. by Alise aims to foster self-confidence and self-actualization by focusing on both the inner and outer self. This innovative approach combines these services under one roof at The GLIMMER. Wellness Bar, where we generate revenue through beauty product sales, on-site treatments, and counseling/coaching services. Distinct from traditional beauty brands, GLIMMER. by Alise integrates mental health services into the beauty experience, actively supporting clients on their journey to self-confidence. This unique business model positions GLIMMER. by Alise as a competitive force in both the beauty and mental health industries, offering a comprehensive approach to personal wellbeing.

Mya Swaby

LiteARcy, is an Atlanta-based startup that is on a mission to revolutionize literacy education and promote educational equity through its flagship mobile app. The app uses cutting edge technology like AR and AI to make reading interactive and engaging, providing real-time feedback as students participate in gamified classroom instruction that is reinforced with dynamic animated 3D visuals and fun real-world incentives. Beyond general understanding, LiteARcy breaks traditional classroom boundaries by enabling students to pursue professional certifications and digital workshops from corporations and trades in their passion areas, automatically adding their achievements and digital badges to their resumes and career platforms upon completion.

Olga Izarraras

Rexi was founded in the summer of 2023 by sisters Olga and Alexandra Izarraras as a luxury self-care brand. At Rexi, we are dedicated to helping all people build and enhance mindfulness, wellbeing, and attain self-fulfillment in their daily lives at the comfort of their homes. Our personalized self-care kits, feature premium skincare and sensory stimuli products to support your daily self-care journey. We understand the modern challenges of stress and the importance of self-care, which is why we want to help you build positive, healthy habits, that foster higher self-esteem and personal growth. Join us in embracing a life of holistic wellness, where taking care of yourself is not just a practice, but a lifestyle!

Paige Moore

Chef Paige’s Kitchen is a Christian bakery company specializing in desserts. My company provides a delicious experience while being established on the values of faith and aims to seek the good of many through our products and services. Our company motto is “Feed your stomach and your soul.”

Parys LaBeaud

Embracing the slogan “simplicity redefined,” Beaux Jewelry is dedicated to offering women distinctive yet minimal pieces. Our moissanite diamond pieces, known for their unparalleled brilliance and eco-friendly nature, illuminate the essence of understated elegance. Beyonce this, our pendants showcase unique styles, each adorned with 18k gold plating, ensuring a blend of charm and sophistication that seamlessly merges with individual tastes.

Peyton Walter

Lion’s Mane Beauty Supply is a cosmetic retailer specializing in black women’s haircare. In 2021, Peyton Walter and Jahari Johnson opened the first beauty supply serving their HBCU community, Langston University. Lion’s Mane is committed to empowering black women’s haircare through convenience, superb service, and diverse products. Long term, Lion’s Mane will globally empower and educate black women’s haircare through a tech-driven app that teaches Black women how to maintain and style healthy hair.

Priscilla Kini

Kinis Vogue is a fashion business that creates authentic African clothing and accessories for its clients. This business distinguishes itself from other businesses by providing its clientele with the opportunity to design their outfit and we bring that to life.

Raina Ford

Project I See U LLC is a fully licensed, operational social entrepreneurship company based in Chicago, IL. Project I See U provides allyship, advocacy, and educational resources to support the mental health needs of children growing up with a chronically ill or disabled sibling. As a social entrepreneurship, Project I See U uses a portion of its profits to develop educational resources and fund research and enrichment programs for siblings.

Re’Onna Vines

Flier Inspired, LLC. is a small minority-owned business that offers professional development services and resources to college-aged youth. Flier Inspired has a particular focus on inspiring students of color to improve their public speaking, study abroad, and organize their time management. The owner, Re’Onna Vines, has built the Flier Inspired brand around her passion for storytelling. This can be seen through the brand’s online blog, poetry productions, and motivational videos.

Reshmeena Ratnaswamy

Laundry Day is a pioneering company dedicated to revolutionizing household care with our non-toxic holistic laundry solution. Committed to fostering healthier homes and, consequently, a healthier society, we firmly believe that essential chores like laundry shouldn’t endanger our families or the environment. Our innovative product guarantees a safe and effective cleaning experience, free from harmful chemicals, empowering families to prioritize their well-being while safeguarding the planet. Choosing The Good Stuff isn’t just about laundry – it’s a conscious step towards embracing a safer, more sustainable, and holistic way of living.

Shapree’ Marshall

A Traveled Path Homes, founded in 2022, focuses on addressing the housing needs of healthcare workers wherever their care takes them. Inspired by founder Shapree’ Marshall’s battle with COVID-19, the company provides tailored housing accommodations for traveling medical professionals. Witnessing the critical need for properly staffed medical facilities, A Traveled Path Homes is dedicated to ensuring comfortable housing during contract assignments, aiming to enhance patient care by supporting the housing needs of healthcare professionals. Driven by empathy and a commitment to social impact, the company aims to create equitable access to quality housing, prioritizing the well-being of those devoted to community health. A Traveled Path Homes endeavors to revolutionize healthcare worker housing through innovative solutions and compassionate service, emphasizing their comfort and support.

Siena Rampulla

PULLATracker provides a higher level of protection than the anonymous systems in place on most campuses. Whether it’s dating violence, stalking, sexual violence, or harassment, women deserve a college experience without the stress of being a target.PULLATracker took human error, women’s behavior when threatened, and attacker behavior into account to make the application work in tandem with the user.

Tia Pope

Malva Mallow (MaMa) is revolutionizing maternal healthcare by blending AI technology with human expertise to reduce global maternal mortality rates. Our AI-powered virtual community health worker service works alongside human professionals, providing immediate, personalized support to every childbearing individual. Our mission to bridge healthcare gaps, especially in underserved areas, drives us to prioritize safe, accessible maternal care for all. MaMa is dedicated to creating a healthier, more nurturing world for mothers and their children by envisioning a future where safe motherhood is a universal right. Our innovative approach is reshaping maternal healthcare, making significant strides towards a world of equitable and comprehensive care.

Victoria Tanoh

The Green Agritech Foundation is a social enterprise and a technology-driven agricultural organization dedicated to revolutionizing crop production and increasing agricultural productivity using advanced agricultural technology solutions. With the global population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, there is a pressing need to prevent a food crisis by ensuring sustainable and efficient farming practices. The Green Agritech Foundation aims to harness the power of cutting-edge technologies, such as precision agriculture, Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence, to optimize crop production, resource utilization, and environmental sustainability.

Theresa Kumazah

BeOneFitness, Llc is a transformative fitness platform redefining health and wellness by integrating mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. We advocate against the superficial ideals of the mainstream fitness industry, prioritizing genuine health over false advertising and appearance-centric goals. Our holistic approach fosters inner and outer vitality, empowering individuals to embody the essence of “BeOne” – achieving harmony in mind, body, and spirit. With a range of services including Health and Wellness Consultations, Personal Training, Group Exercise Classes, Online Workout Plans, and Meal Prep Guides, we cater to diverse needs. Through innovative techniques and a commitment to building supportive communities, BeOneFitness is pioneering a universal system for holistic health and wellness, addressing global health epidemics and fostering purposeful connections within society.

Tapping into technology and innovation, Destiny seeks to confront the frustrating dilemma of the online shopping experience for the consumer, while simultaneously developing a way for clothing waste to cease, and businesses to escape major losses in revenue. As Founder of the tool titled, MeasureMe—a SaaS technology that utilizes 3D body scanning technology, MeasureMe provides a tailored service to ensure consumers shop with confidence and with accuracy from one place across their favorite brands.

Blue Ribbean is a Faith based online grocery store focused on bringing healing to clients one ingredient at a time. Unlike other grocery stores we focus on nourishment to our clients body, soul, and spirit through healthy Caribbean food products and faith based resources.

Rooted Living is a mission-driven, eco-friendly, plant-based snack company. We solve the inability for consumers to access healthy snacks that are also environmentally friendly.

By creating snacks that are free of impossible to pronounce ingredients and come in compostable packaging, neither your health or the health of the planet will be sacrificed.

Second generation manufacturers in the Jamaican spice trade, Thalia’s has brought a new level of innovation by placing Jamaican herbs and spices, such as Pimento (Allspice) and Lemongrass in easy to use cooking oils like cold pressed coconut oil and vegetable oil. These flavors are enjoyed by Jamaican, Latin American, Asian, Middle Eastern, European and American cultures. The company was started when Nathalia Johnson (a food chemist) got the idea from her father to find an easy way for persons to add the delicious flavors of Jamaican herbs and spices to their meals. After many months of formulating and testing, Thalia’s infused cooking oils were born.

Shezza – the world’s first unique, foam-padded sock to prevent heel blisters and allow you to wear any shoe (fashion or athletic), pain-free in any activity. Our socks have a foam-padding on the back of the heel to prevent rubbing from new, or hard-to-break-in shoes.