Get to know Dana Lam, Co-Founder of Surprise Date Challenge

Q: What inspired you to start your venture? *

A: We’ve planned surprise dates for each other since the beginning of our relationship. We knew first hand how this enriched our relationship and thought it could help other couples. In 2017 we had 10 test couples try it out for 3 months. The testimonials proved this simple act improves satisfaction in relationships and we knew we had to share it with the world.

Q: What did you hope to gain by applying to SEED SPOT’s Impact Accelerator program? *

Q: What’s the most valuable lesson you learned during the Impact Accelerator? *

Q: What does the future hold for your venture? *

A: We are so excited to be expanding and growing even during this crazy time in our world.

Q: What is one piece of advice you have for entrepreneurs just beginning their journey? *

A: Be sure you’re committed to putting in the time and money necessary for success. Find strategic partners to work with that can get you to your end goal faster.

Hear Dana pitch Surprise Date Challenge at SEED SPOT’s Impact Accelerator Demo Day coming up on May 12th – RSVP here.

The post Surprise Date Challenge- 2020 Impact Accelerator Venture appeared first on SEED SPOT.

SEED SPOT believes that catalyzing diverse impact-driven entrepreneurs of all ages is the key to solving society’s most pressing challenges. To unleash the innovation of entrepreneurs nationwide, the national Demo Day competition elevates the voices of students that are building businesses for good. Demo Day is an event that showcases a select group of those student-built ventures.

Meet the 4 Semi-Finalists below! Finalists will be selected from these teams and showcased at SEED SPOT’s Virtual Demo Day event on May 12th (RSVP here: bit.ly/sdspot-demoday).

Congratulations to all students who participated – many of whom have had school canceled through the end of the year. Your grit, resilience and belief in what is possible will create solutions to the problems we face as a global community today.

Wee Farms

School: Dream High School

Students: Gibson Lotz, Han Wu, Brandon Samples

Wee Farms Pitch Video

iKlozet

School: The Lighthouse | Black Girl Projects

Students: Madison Jackson & Jamian Jackson

iKlozet Pitch

MyInk Journal

School: Notre Dame College Prep

Students: Bennett Curran & Lauren Skemp

MyInk Journal Pitch

Teens Helping Foster Care

School: Payson High School

Student: Abby Gladden

Teens Helping Foster Care Pitch

RSVP for Demo Day on May 12th to catch pitches by the finalists! bit.ly/sdspot-demoday.

The post SEED SPOT Schools Semi-Finalist Pitches appeared first on SEED SPOT.

Get to know Drew Shaw, the founder of Voyce Threads: 

Q: What inspired you to start your venture? *

A: The initial idea for the mismatched socks came from a children’s book, Rosewood Circle: The First Day, the first book written by Voyce Threads’ founder, Drew Shaw. The main character in the story wears mismatched socks. Taking that idea and making it something for the benefit of others is where the more challenging work began.

Q: What did you hope to gain by applying to SEED SPOT’s Impact Accelerator program? *

A: I hoped to gain new resources and insights into how to grow and scale my company successfully, while simultaneously increasing the level of impact it can have on the community.

Q: What’s the most valuable lesson you learned during the Impact Accelerator? *

A: I learned that you can learn something from everyone. There are so many people who have walked down a similar road, and you can avoid traps and mistakes if you take the time to listen to the advice they offer.

Q: What does the future hold for your venture? *

A: We are continuing to establish more nonprofit partnerships and finding ways to increase brand awareness in Arizona. Additionally, we are expanding to new markets like Denver to create the same type of community and movement we’ve seen in Arizona.

Q: What is one piece of advice you have for entrepreneurs just beginning their journey? *

A: Your greatest successes lie on the other side of your greatest fears.

Hear Drew pitch Voyce Threads at SEED SPOT’s Impact Accelerator Demo Day coming up on May 12th – RSVP here.

The post Voyce Threads- 2020 Impact Accelerator Venture appeared first on SEED SPOT.

The post Pawsome Stories: Meet Dr. Michael Miller, @HarryPotterVet appeared first on PetDesk.

TropicalAlmond is working to bring value to one of the many under-utilized tree crops in Ghana. Co-founders Emmanuel Afoakwah and Freda Sardo hope that by doing so, they can provide food for malnourished children in rural areas in Ghana and also provide jobs for women with no source of revenue.

Get to know TropicalAlmond: 

Q: What inspired you to start your venture? *

A: I worked in a rural area for some time and realized the level of malnutrition in the area was really high. Children will sometimes skip school because there was no food and their mothers were not allowed to own lands so they could not work. Tropical almonds were very common in the area and I had done some research work on them back in college. My goal was to develop unique products from the tree and then generate some money for women who could easily pick up the nuts and also provide a food supplement to children by distributing through schools.

Q: What did you hope to gain by applying to SEED SPOT’s Impact Accelerator program? *

A: Take our venture to the next level by learning more about structures needed to keep a business running and also get exposure for our story.

Q: What’s the most valuable lesson you learned during the Impact Accelerator? *

A: Consistency and excellence is key to every startup’s success

Q: What does the future hold for your venture? *

A: Be a worldwide supplier for tropical almond and promote the consumption of this amazing nut.

Q: What is one piece of advice you have for entrepreneurs just beginning their journey? *

A: Do what you are passionate about.

Hear Freda pitch TropicalAlmond at SEED SPOT’s Impact Accelerator Demo Day coming up on May 12th – RSVP here.

The post TropicalAlmond – 2020 Impact Accelerator Venture appeared first on SEED SPOT.

What #GivingTuesdayNow Means to Us 

SEED SPOT Community, 

It’s #GivingTuesdayNow! On this global day of generosity and unity, communities throughout the world are coming together to give back in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19, no matter who or where we are.

Our team at SEED SPOT knows that each member of our community has experienced the far-reaching impacts of the pandemic in uniquely significant ways, and yet simultaneously have given so much of themselves in supporting others during an unprecedented time.  

Today, on #GivingTuesdayNow, we are celebrating the voices of the founders in our community who are creating hope and extending help to vulnerable communities globally. We hope you will join us in giving the gift of a story today! 

Read more about a few SEED SPOT alumni that reacted (and are still reacting) swiftly to the new realities COVID-19 has presented. We have been energized and inspired by the grit these founders – and dozens of founders like them – have shown in pivoting their business models not only to sustain themselves and their teams, but to outsize their impact in giving the communities and populations they serve a better shot at tackling this global crisis. 

We hope you’ll join us in sharing stories on #GivingTuesdayNow. Post your founder story with the hashtag #GivingTuesdayNow on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook and tag us at @seedspot. Share your venture’s mission statement, what motivates you and your team, or fill in the sentence “I’m a founder because…” We’d love to lift your story up! 

SEED SPOT empowers entrepreneurs creating solutions to social problems. Right now, our work in supporting their work – the work of our founders – has never been more critical. We are honored to lift the stories of our founders today and every day as participants in this global movement and conversation – because how else are we to continue solving global problems?

The post What #GivingTuesdayNow Means to Us appeared first on SEED SPOT.

Patent-in-a-Box is on a mission to democratize patents by providing a technology-based process to simply, credibly, and affordably enable any small business owner or independent inventor to apply for a patent without the need for a patent attorney.

Robb Evans founded Patent-in-a-Box to make the benefits of the patent system available to everyone. Their vision is that not only will small business owners accrue the benefits of patent ownership, but our entire economy will thrive as a result of the increased innovation and job creation that is associated with greater utilization of patents.

Get to know Robb and Patent-in-a-Box: 

Q: What inspired you to start your venture? 

A: We needed a structure to help us get traction on our venture. We hoped that SEED SPOT would provide that structure, and access to resources, that would help us solidify our roadmap and accelerate our progress in validating our market and advancing towards launch. Our expectations are being fulfilled.

Q: What’s the most valuable lesson you learned during the Impact Accelerator? *

A: One of the most important lessons I have learned is the importance of making and demonstrating traction at every phase of the venture. Making plans for a future event is not good enough. You always need to be getting and demonstrating product-market fit.

The post Patent in a Box – 2020 Impact Accelerator Venture appeared first on SEED SPOT.

Jessica Carpenter is the Founder of Wellness Staffers, a company that connects people with wellness.  By delivering in-person, virtual, and application-based wellness programs, workshops, coaching and classes, Wellness Staffers enhances mental, physical, emotional, and social wellness. Each purchase helps fund wellness programs delivered to under-served schools, nonprofits, and communities.

Get to know Jessica and Wellness Staffers: 

Q: What inspired you to start your venture? 

A: In joining SEED SPOT’s Impact Accelerator I hoped to position myself and my business for success and growth by connecting with a group of entrepreneurs going through the same startup experiences. I hoped that I would learn, be supported, and find space to celebrate my wins regardless of how small.

Q: What is one piece of advice you have for entrepreneurs just beginning their journey? *

Hear Jessica pitch her venture’s vision for social wellness at SEED SPOT’s Impact Accelerator Demo Day coming up on May 12th – RSVP here.

The post Wellness Staffers – 2020 Impact Accelerator Venture appeared first on SEED SPOT.