Propeller Announces 2013-2014 Social Venture Accelerator Fellows

Propeller1Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation is thrilled to announce the 15 new 2013-2014 Social Venture Accelerator Fellows. The early-stage ventures were chosen because they have the potential to solve New Orleans’ most pressing social, environmental and economic issues. Fellows will begin working out of the newly renovated 10,000 square-foot collaborative workspace on September 3rd, 2013.

Over the ten-month accelerator program, the fellows will have access to the resources and support they need to grow their businesses and make change in the community faster. Propeller gives creative solutions the support they need to become operational, reach financial sustainability, and achieve far-reaching, long-term impact.

In just two years, Propeller has incubated 21 ventures. Those ventures have created over 70 full and part-time jobs, and have generated $5.4 million in external financing, revenues, and grants.

“Last year, we accelerated 12 ventures that have really made a difference in our community,” said Andrea Chen, Propeller’s Executive Director. “This year, we’ve expanded the program, and we look forward to an engaging and productive accelerator year with our 15 new ventures.”

The 2013-2014 ventures tackle a range of issues including: improving special education in public schools and transforming blighted properties for community use. The Social Venture Accelerator Fellows are:

  • Crescent City Connections (Zach Cheney, Monique Labat, Teddy Nathan)

  • The Durationator – Limited Times, LLC (Elizabeth Townsend Gard, Ron Gard)

  • Farm City Project (Sanjay Kharod)

  • FitLot (Adam Mejerson)

  • Griffin Law Firm LLC (Robyn Griffin)

  • I Heart Louisiana (Katrina Brees)

  • iSTEM NOLA (Deborah Anderson, Howard Conyers, Jaime Wright)

  • Urban Lands Initiative (Bridget Kelly)

  • LEO (Brandie Burris, Alex Gallagher)

  • Our NOLA Garden (Ica Crawford, Hillary Ervin, Jarlyn Johnson, Zane Kenney)

  • Pelican Bomb (Amanda Brinkman, Cameron Shaw)

  • Social Vaccine Strategies (Richard Witzig)

  • TrueSchool (Amy Vreeland)

  • Werkly (Eric Bernstein, Alix Keller, Kristie Weatherford)

  • Where Y’art (Catherine Todd, Collin Ferguson)

Meet the Fellows on October 18th from 5:45pm-9:00pm at the Propeller Incubator. Attendees will learn about their exciting missions to solve our city’s social and environmental challenges. RSVP here.

For more information, visit gopropeller.org.