Geekdom Announces 2020 Participants in Pre-Accelerator Program

Geekdom announced the San Antonio startups selected for its 2020 pre-accelerator program Wednesday.

The seven startups are:

• EvoSecurity is an affordable, flexible, and reliable multi-factor authentication solution for on-premise, hybrid, cloud, and multi-cloud service providers. Its goal is to take the complexity out of protecting managed service providers and their clients.
• Allosense is an internet of things startup producing a fleet of always-connected sensors and asset trackers to help businesses and governments manage their supply chains and reduce waste or loss of high-value assets.
• ClosetMelody is a digital styling app that offers suggestions on how to style your looks using the clothes in your wardrobe.
• Buzu Cards helps students learn standardized testing concepts using engaging characters with backstories and colorful designs so kids can retain the information required to do well in school.
• Cyber Warrior Network uses its Cyber Wraith cyber video game to help train and connect cyber professionals to cybersecurity job opportunities.
• MyCoffeePass offers a platform focused on craft coffee shops for coffee lovers in Texas.
• TenFore Golf is a unique point of sale and scheduler system for golf courses that helps streamline tee times and beverage orders for players.

For the program’s third year, selection committee members Geekdom CEO Charles Woodin, former pre-accelerator co-director from 2018 and Dura Software chief financial officer Chris Burney, and USAA strategic innovation senior advisor  Janell Guzman chose the finalists from 40 applications.

To qualify for the pre-accelerator, each of the seven teams must have a working proof-of-concept or minimally viable product, have raised less than $50,000 from angel investors, employ at least one full-time team member, have a legally formed business, be based locally, and be a current Geekdom member.

“Though we hoped to kick off the pre-accelerator later this month, we’ve pushed the start date to the end of July,” pre-accelerator program manager Joyce Deuley said. “They’ll be working closely with local experts and mentors.”

The co-working space’s six-week pre-accelerator program is designed to help prepare these startups for early-stage investment or participation in accelerator programs. Once the program begins, the startups will meet every Thursday evening at Geekdom to learn from local business and funding experts, receive one-on-one and group mentorship, and network with community leaders to further scale their companies and prepare for future investment. 

The teams will pitch at the 2020 pre-accelerator Demo Day will be held in September, its exact date to be determined.  

Cyber Warrior Network founder Nigel LeBlanc is looking to use his immersive video game called CyberWraith as the solution to the cyber workforce gap. The startup is coordinating with Port San Antonio and its planned e-arena to host the competitive e-gaming cyber league in the new Port innovation hub space.

Read more: CyberWraith Video Game New Way to Close Cybersecurity Workforce Gap

“If we want to be recognized by the cyber community, we need to strengthen our connections to mentors, resources, and the Geekdom community,” LeBlanc said. “We’re looking to lock in strategic partnerships to help build stronger cyber talent pipelines using cyber e-sports gaming at the Port’s planned e arena.”

Investors from Active Capital, RealCo Longterm Accelerator, Dura Software, and Live Oak Venture Partners will be mentoring throughout the duration of the program, Deuley said.

“We’re confident that the momentum that these startups have been building before this pandemic will continue,” Deuley said. “We’re happy to give them a platform to succeed and watch them rapidly scale their companies moving forward.”

Featured image is from the Geekdom Pre-Accelerator Program Demo Day in May 2019 at the Aztec Theater. Photo credit: Startups San Antonio.