News from Westchester’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Featuring news, entrepreneur profiles, and mentorship and growth opportunities
Element 46 Relaunches as a Tech Accelerator,
Applications Open
 
The Westchester County Office of Economic Development announced this week a partnership with leading accelerator group Cela Innovation to amplify and enhance the Element 46 incubator program. The new program will be known as the Element 46 Tech Accelerator Powered by Cela. 
 
The Element 46 Tech Accelerator Powered by Cela will curate a network of investors and successful entrepreneurs specifically committed to mentoring the startups accepted into the program. It will accept up to 10 startups based in Westchester per cohort for a 10-week program with curriculum, pitch events, press opportunities, and special technology and corporate partnerships for chosen teams. The program promises multiple advantages to startups selected for the cohort including: mentorship from active investors, subject matter experts and exited entrepreneurs; support on developing customers and making first sales; establishing a sustainable business model that can create immediate revenue as well as scalable revenue levels; access to thought leaders in cutting edge technologies and high growth tactics; and, connections to powerful corporate and institutional allies. Each cohort will culminate with a Pitch Day showcasing the startup participants to Westchester County’s investor community. 
 
Tech startups in Westchester County interested in applying should visit Element46.org or email Deborah Novick, Westchester Director for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, at info@element46.org.
Oligomerix Announces Series B Extension Raise of $2.7 Million to Support Phase 1 Clinical Development
 
 
Oligomerix will also use a portion of the Series B funding to conduct early characterization research on the Company’s multiple second generation series of assets, which will be focused on disease modification in dementia.
Launch1000 Alum Althema G. Goodson, MSOL is a
2022 Leadership Westchester Graduate
 
Althema G. Goodson, MSOL, a Launch1000 alum, will be graduating from the 2022 Leadership Westchester program later this month. Althema is the founder of The Goodson Agency, a multifaceted consulting agency helping with strategies, nonprofits, events and more. She also partnered with fellow Launcher Joyce Cole on a second venture as a result of her participation in the program.
Gannett Foundation Calling for Applications in National, Local Crowdfunding, Grant Program
 
Organizations and nonprofits are invited to apply for the 2022 A Community Thrives program, a $2 million initiative created by the Gannett Foundation that awards grants to groups working to improve communities.

Applications are being accepted through June 30 from organizations looking to bring awareness to a project that focuses on community building with an emphasis on impacting historically underserved individuals and groups for the grantmaking and crowdfunding program sponsored by Gannett, the parent company of The Journal News and the USA TODAY Network.
Experts Wanted! Looking for Subject Matter Experts for Launch1000 Program

As part of the Launch1000 program, the Westchester County Office of Economic Development is looking for subject matter experts who are open to recording 30-minute educational sessions on various topics that can help Launchers as they work to start their business ventures.
 
Topics include:
Sales and Marketing
  • Online Marketing
  • Social Media: Instagram
  • Social Media: LinkedIn
  • Hiring a Sales Rep or Sales Staff
  • Improving Landing Page Conversions
  • A Great Website
 
Prototype Skill Building
  • Canva/Graphics/Photography
  • PowerPoint
  • Making a Video
  • Hosting an Online Workshop as a Prototype
  • Creating a Physical Prototype
 
Interested volunteers can contact Deborah Novick, director of entrepreneurship and innovation for Westchester County, at DNovick@westchestergov.com.
Volunteers Needed to Help Entrepreneurs Enhance Digital Literacy & Computer Skills

Are you, or someone you know, willing to share their skills, knowledge and time to help Launch1000 participants improve their computer skills and enhance their digital literacy? We have some Launchers who could benefit from your assistance as they start their journey to launch a new venture. To learn more about this opportunity, email 
Business-First@westchestergov.com with Launch1000 in the subject line.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Google Business Profile: How to Rank High on
Google Local Search Results
SCORE Westchester
 
Date: June 14
Time: 1:00 PM
Accredited Investor Meeting Bash
Westchester Angels
 
Date: June 14
Time: 5:00 PM
Revitalize Your Brand and Online Presence
SCORE Westchester
 
Date: June 15
Time: 1:00 PM
Network & Shopping with WEDC at J. McLaughlin, Bronxville
WEDC
 
Date: June 15
Time: 6:00 PM
The 5 Stages of Delegation to Energize Your Business Growth
SCORE Westchester
 
Date: June 16
Time: 1:00 PM
Business Owner to Homeowner
WEDC
 
Date: June 16
Time: 6:30 PM
Small Business Budgeting Made Easy
SCORE Westchester
 
Date: June 21
Time: 1:00 PM
Professional Headshot Event
WEDC
 
Date: June 22
Time: 6:00 PM
How to Complete a SWOT Analysis - A Step by Step Demonstration
WEDC

Date: June 23
Time: 1:00 PM
Contract Negotiations: Approaches, Preparation, and Tactics
WEDC
 
Date: June 23
Time: 6:00 PM
The Basics of TikTok Digital Marketing
WEDC
 
Date: June 30
Time: 1:00 PM
Have entrepreneurial news or resources we should know about?
Drop us a line at Business-FIRST@westchestergov.com