Over the past seven years we’ve seen accelerators sprout up all over the country. Many of them are focused on supporting companies building internet and software products. In 2005, it was Y-Combinator in Mountain View, CA and whose graduates are now guaranteed funding come demo day. In 2007, it was TechStars in Boulder, CO and who now has city specific programs setup (Seattle, Boston, NYC) and growing affiliate network. In 2008, it was DreamIt Ventures in Philadelphia, PA and who now has additional programs in NYC and Israeli.
Where there hasn’t been an accelerator of this kind, until now, is in Upstate NY. In four days, StartFast will launch with nine companies in its first class. Selected from a pool of more than 300 hundred applicants, the startups headed to Syracuse for the summer will be traveling from as nearby as Ithaca and far away as Tel Mond, Israeli. The 13 week program ends on August 16th with a demo day for investors and fellow entrepreneurs to gather around the companies.
Mozzo Analytics (Syracuse, NY and Philadelphia, PA) MozzoLinks extracts all the
links from your gmail. In one glance, you will see an organized summary of your
links, searchable by people, topics and time. All your links, right at your
fingertips.
PadProof (Orlando, FL and NYC) The photos you want, in the palm of your
hand. A proofing app for the moments that matter, built to go anywhere you
go. Preview, share and purchase your photos from your photographer with the
swipe of a finger.
BitePal (Ithaca, NY) BitePal makes getting a restaurant discount fast and easy. No
payments, printing, or registration necessary. You simply choose one of the deals
we offer, provide your cell phone number so we can send you a confirmation
message, and then show this message to the waiter at your table once you are
done eating.
Cayo-Tech (Tel Mond, Israel) ‘Guard My Angel’ is a mobile application that
watches over you without compromising your privacy. Whether you are walking
alone in a dark alley, getting on a cab, or anytime you feel you need someone at
your side, in the case of an emergency, we will notify your family and friends
with the information they need to help you.
RevoPT (Ithaca, NY) Web and mobile applications to make physical therapy more
personalized and more effective. RevoPT brings a simple, personalized, and
interactive home exercise program that keeps patients accountable and
increases the efficiency and effectiveness of rehabilitation. (Website under
development)
Tivity (NYC) A social network for people looking to find, schedule, and share
active lifestyle activities with people around them.
Streamspec (Syracuse, NY and NYC) a next generation, image based Internet
advertising company.
CanVita (Denver, CO and NYC) The visual and evolving CV for the era of the social
web, Canvita showcases your evolution and best work in a fun and intuitive
way.
YouGift (NYC) A celebration platform for gifting anything, combining greetings
and gift cards sent via social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.
