ENTREPRENEUR
accelerator
2022
Streetcode is building
tech entrepreneurs through
a sustainable venture studio
Accelerator 2022
entrepreneurs
Tameka Graham
Washington, DC by way of Fayetteville, NC
Idea Theme
Virtual Community Bulletin Board App
Business Name
Local Magnifier
What advice do you have for the next generation of leaders?
My advice to the next generation of leaders is to always be humble, always be learning, and never give up on your vision. Your vision is God-given and is one of a kind and unique, just like you. As long as your leadership is geared towards building or giving to "community", you will find your vision to be a never ending source of continued motivation.
What are some of your entrepreneurial aspirations?
I have a vision of developing an application that would allow people to tap into the pulse of any community instantly. I have unwaveringly held onto this vision for nearly 30 years and know my unique vision will touch millions of lives. I aspire to produce a groundbreaking application that is more than social, it's local! Many communities lack cohesion due to a lack of raw geo-specific information. LocalMagnifier aspires to deliver that.
Jonathan Makonnen
Manteca, CA by way of East Palo Alto, CA
Idea Theme
Retail/Apparel Industry
Business Name
Unfazed
What advice do you have for the next generation of leaders?
The advice I have for the next generation of leaders is that you can do anything you put your mind to as long as you know it's not going to be a straight path. There will always be pitfalls and speed bumps along the way, but stay committed to your goals and be UNFAZED by whatever comes your way because nothing great comes without a strong mindset. B) I want to create a globally successful brand that helps people become the best version of themselves. Through this brand I believe I will be able to make a positive impact on people in my community, as well as inspire the next future leaders of this world by adopting an UNFAZED mindset.
What are some of your entrepreneurial aspirations?
As an entrepreneur the obvious goal is to build generational wealth for my family, but I also want to create a blueprint of how others can build generational wealth for many generations to come. When my entrepreneurial journey has ended, I want to be proud that I was able to help people be successful and create a pipeline of people who did the same so that our culture continues to thrive together instead of as individuals.
Mariana Antaya
Fairfield, CT by way of Los Gatos, CA
Idea Theme
Cryptocurrency
Business Name
Quantifai
What advice do you have for the next generation of leaders?
Some advice for the next generation is to fail as fast as you can and fail often. It’ll only get you one step closer to where you want to go.
What are some of your entrepreneurial aspirations?
My aspirations revolve around trying to help others along their career paths and also to make an impact and disrupt the field of fintech in some way.
Courtney Williams
Palm Beach County Florida
Idea Theme
Maternal Health
Business Name
Zinaya
What advice do you have for the next generation of leaders?
It's great to plan before you start an endeavor, but don't overthink it. Get started, work hard, and seek mentorship. You'll get there! Also, never allow yourself to be stifled. If you have the desire to grow, GROW and don't let anyone or anything stop you! Finally, make most of your decisions for your future, and not just your present.
What are some of your entrepreneurial aspirations?
I've experienced some tough challenges on my road to becoming a mother. Thankfully, I had a village of women coaching and uplifting me along the way; and the only reason I am unstoppable today is because of their support. I am now on a mission to pay that same empowerment forward with a holistic program that nurtures and empowers women to thrive during pregnancy, labor, and motherhood - no matter the circumstances.
Luciano Sewell
Santa Clara by way of Lancaster CA
Idea Theme
Sports Nutrition
Business Name
NERG
What advice do you have for the next generation of leaders?
Be the leader that you as an employee would have given 110% for. We have all had experiences with terrible bosses who didn't understand the difference between a title and leadership. Remember how you felt and don't ever make people on your team feel that way.
What are some of your entrepreneurial aspirations?
My biggest aspiration as an entrepreneur is to be the example of what's possible for the next generation of black founders. There are many aspiring founders who are worried that they won't be accepted because they had a rough past. I want to show them that if they commit to the changes that they made and keep the grit, they can change the world.
Salvador Garza Jr.
San Jose, CA by way of Modesto, CA
Idea Theme
Boardgames
Business Name
Pawn Wars
What advice do you have for the next generation of leaders?
Understand your “why”.. There will be many moments where you question why your actions and whether those emotional trials are worth striving through. Whether it be Financial freedom or perhaps the “Next big thing”, Those are important moments where your “why” is really tested. Most of your day to day motivation stems from why you’re trying to achieve your goal. It’s your foundation to pursue anything worthwhile. A Business is like running a marathon. There’s different obstacles and Pace speeds.. Are you trying to get Investors? Trying to build most of your business for leverage later? These are two different paths with different timelines and different outcomes In one path, You will possibly achieve a quicker result, at a higher margin, but with less control & more responsibility. Your need will include satisfying the wants & needs of people who have a vested interest in your company; This means more scrutiny and increased responsibility.
What are some of your entrepreneurial aspirations?
I aim to grow PawnWars and get into direct B2C & retail. I have many entrepreneurial goals, my ultimate goal being to form/lead a construction team for investment into single family rehab, and eventually partner into owning a number of apartment complexes.
Brittani Conley
Born and raised in the Bay Area, California
Idea Theme
Inclusive Fashion/Apparel
Business Name
Cali Curve Denim
What advice do you have for the next generation of leaders?
Do what moves you, passion is fuel. Doing anything great takes time and energy, but if your passion is there, the journey will be as fulfilling as the destination.
What are some of your entrepreneurial aspirations?
I want to make a positive impact in whatever I do. For me, Cali Curve Denim is not just creating a product we need, but another way to show women of color that our wants and needs can come first, and we don't have to conform to an arbitrary norm whether that's how we dress, how we look, or how we act (no code switching necessary with Cali Curve Denim!). We have to put on clothes every day, we should have choices that we know were made for us, by brands that support who we are at our core.
About the Accelerator
The Accelerator is a 3-month long program designed to engage motivated entrepreneurs to achieve targeted milestones and pitch their startups to top VCs. Accelerator participants will learn Lean Startup methodology and gain invaluable hands-on experience and feedback that will fast track their entrepreneurial endeavors.
How can you support?
$1,000 Workshop Facilitator
Support the monthly workshops that allow us to host fireside chats or panels with leadership teams, entrepreneurs, and other speaking engagements.
$10,000 Demo Day Enabler
Contribute to the culminating event of the Accelerator, where our EIRs pitch their startups to a group of VCs and Angel Investors.
$5,000 Entrepreneurs Sponsor
Help fund our aspiring entrepreneurs through product development, market research & validation. Your matching donations are tax-deductible.
$20,000 Start-Up Prize Funder
Pitch into the competitive Investments prize pool— to be divided between the top 3 projects to help them to launch their businesses