CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS BOOST GROWTH WITH CREATIVE STARTUPS ACCELERATOR
Creative Entrepreneurs Boost Growth with Creative Startups Accelerator
Applications for 2016 Cohort Close July 1st
Albuquerque, NM — May, 2016 — The Creative Startups Accelerator program seeks entrepreneurs to apply to join its cohort of fast-growing companies in the creative industries. Just eighteen-months out of the 2014 program, the Creative Startups Accelerator cohort of companies have raised on average $152,000 in funding for their projects while benefiting from over 800 hours of mentorship from leaders in the creative industries. Creative Startups connects aspiring creative entrepreneurs with the resources necessary for launching a successful company, including access to mentors and investors who are the founders of companies that include Fast Company, Hopeless Records, and CODAworx, among others. For a full list of the 2016 mentors, visit http://www.creativestartups.org/mentors.
“The mentors were top-notch, the structure of the programming was nearly flawless, and the amount I learned was incredible,” says Vince Kadlubek of Meow Wolf, an artist collaborative who launched an interactive art experience in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Since the accelerator, they have partnered with George RR Martin of Game of Thrones, and opened the doors to their 20,000-square-foot multiplex built by 80 employed artists that now delights 1,000 visitors a day.
With creative industries making up the fastest growing economic sector in the U.S., Creative Startups is seeking entrepreneurs whose startup concepts combine sectors such as music, film, fashion, or design with innovation and technology. Those who join the accelerator will receive a wide array of benefits, including an entrepreneurship curriculum designed specifically for creatives, by creatives, made in partnership with Stanford entrepreneurship faculty. They will also have access to investors and to a national network of qualified and skilled mentors, and the opportunity to compete for $50,000.
Applications are open May 23 — July 1st, and the program is open to both U.S. and international startups. This year the Creative Startups is offering the program in both Albuquerque, NM and also Winston-Salem, NC, and applicants can choose which city and dates best suits them. Winston-Salem classes begin on August 8th, and Albuquerque’s begin September 6th. All participants, along with investors and mentors, will meet for a weeklong event at the end of their program, held in the city they are accepted to.
“Our goal is to accelerate the success and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurial minded creatives,” said Alice Loy of Creative Startups. “With the great success of last year’s program, we couldn’t be more excited to announce the open application period for this year. Our mission is to equip brilliant and driven entrepreneurs with all of the tools and connections they need to add to the thriving creative industries.”
While the concept of startup accelerators is becoming increasingly popular, Creative Startups is unique in that it focuses solely on the teaching and mentoring of the creative industries with mentorship from successful entrepreneurs whose core skills are based in the creative industries. These industries cover a wide rage of sectors, including design, games, software, film, music, publishing, performance arts, visual arts, new media, video, museums and education technology. Creative Startups Mentors include musicians, filmmakers, designers, branding experts, and investors who invest in creative businesses. Combined, Creative Startups Mentors have raised over $360 million for new ventures.
Entrepreneurs interested in applying can visit www.creativestartups.org for more information.
About Creative Startups: Based in Albuquerque, NM, Creative Startups is a startup accelerator designed for creatives using new technologies to meet new market opportunities. The application process is competitive, and only 8–12 teams of founding members will be accepted. The goal of Creative Startups is to get your venture beyond the launch stage to customer acquisition and profitability. If your business is generating revenues or is already profitable but you know it has the potential for dramatic growth, you will gain the networks, strategy, and investment to achieve this growth.
