Center For Creative Economy Announces Accelerator Finalists And Awards Funding

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Oct 04, 2017, 12:50 ET

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Oct. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Creative Economy, Winston-Salem, NC, announced that three Winston-Salem-based companies have taken the top prizes in the Creative Startups' Southeastern Accelerator program for $50,000 in seed funding; and two companies received inaugural Artpreneur Grants from UNC School of the Arts (UNCSA) and the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts.

2017 Winners of Creative Startups Southeastern Accelerator Program Announced

Oh My Goodness Herbal Bar, a boutique offering customized natural and holistic products and services to enhance health and wellbeing, received $25,000 for business improvements and operations. Jenni Earle Design was awarded $15,000 for her hand-dyed bandanas inspired by southern culture and courage. The Dream School received $10,000 for the company's afterschool and summer camp programs that use podcasting, digital video and coding to enhance students' learning skills. Each company also receives legal services from Kilpatrick Townsend as part of their award.

"Accelerator participants receive eight weeks of intensive business skills training to help jumpstart their businesses," said Margaret Collins, executive director for the Center for Creative Economy. "Our unique focus on the business acumen of the creative entrepreneur builds their knowledge and confidence; and the connections with expert mentors provides the secret sauce for success."

UNCSA Chancellor Lindsay Bierman presented the inaugural winners of the Chancellor's Artpreneur Grant, awarded to UNCSA-affiliated participants in Creative Startups. Tonya Sheffield with The Dream School and an alumna of the School of Filmmaking, and Christal Schanes, with MEDwig (Winston-Salem) and an alumna/faculty member of the School of Design and Production will share consulting services, networking opportunities and funding totaling $25,000.

"When I came to UNCSA, I knew we could become catalysts for transformational and disruptive arts-based enterprises," Bierman said. "We congratulate Christal and Tonya for their creativity, dedication and grit."

Partners and sponsors include the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, the City of Winston-Salem, Flow Foundation, Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, BB&T, Inmar, and private businesses and community leaders.

Accelerator participants, mentors and sponsors who attended the awards breakfast will receive up to two of Winston-Salem's Denizens Plush weird designer toys as part of the 2017 New Revenue Prize offered through the generosity of Shuyi Mo, mentor and sponsor from Singapore.

Other participating companies included Dance Adventures (Cambridge, MA); Do Good Artist (Puerto Rico/Winston-Salem); FireLux (Wilmington, NC); Kidobit (Wilmington) and Sincerely Cosmetics (Los Angeles).