Pond-Deshpande Social Enterprise Accelerator Brings On Five New Startups
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FREDERICTON – Pond-Deshpande Centre’s social enterprise accelerator, Be.For.Change (B4C), will start its eighth cohort with five startups from a variety of sectors.
B4C’s acceleration process is designed to help social entrepreneurs with the right tools and support at the right time. The unique mentorship learning groups provide deep, timely and actionable advice from mentors who are seasoned in the specific need of the entrepreneurs.
The fall 2020 cohort includes:
- All In: Founded by Jules Maitland, the research and service design firm aims to help organizations engage, understand, and build solutions with the people they serve. The company is dedicated to including people in the design of things that impact them; promoting a more equitable future; and creating better products, services, and policies. Maitland, originally from the U.K., brings her educational and work experience as a registered nurse, software engineering, computer science, and human-centred design.
- Food For Thought Software Solutions: Founded by Melissa MacMaster and Shandra MacMaster, the startup’s software provides logistic and supply chain solutions for online food ordering and delivery to ensure that children receive the meals they need safely at school, or at home, if schools have to close again. The company offers an all-in-one platform with a website, and online ordering and delivery system, and an administration dashboard.
- Parados Cerebral Solutions: Through this company, founders Pascal Mccarthy and Kevin Mccarthy combines biometrics and biomechanics with data analytics to develop devices that will mitigate the risk of concussion for athletes, and help specialists better prevent, diagnose and treat injuries. Its risk mitigation system includes a motion-sensing mouthguard and an electronic posture sensor.
- Foodona Inc.: Purushothaman Cannane’s focuses on developing innovative, eco-friendly and sustainable products. It turns the local paper waste into paper bags or bin liners. The objective is to reduce energy, water and chemical consumption, cut carbon emissions, reduce the cutting of new tress, while also creating local employment.
- CreatedHere Magazine: Allison Green and Kerry Lawlor’s quarterly publication tells the stories of New Brunswick visual artists, craftspeople and designers. The magazine offers affordable career development services for emerging artists to help them improve their ability to present themselves regionally, nationally, and internationally. The company also practices mentorship to ensure the development of quality contributors and encourages professional artists to settle and practice in the province.
B4C has had more than 100 entrepreneurs go through its accelerator program since its launch. Its alumni have collectively raised more than $18-million in funding after completing the program.