GrowCo announces showcase event for gALPHA Columbia Accelerator program

January 11, 2023

Participants of the fall 2022 gALPHA Columbia accelerator program to pitch their ideas to the community

GrowCo, a founder-led startup community and support organization, announced GrowCo’s Startup Showcase pitch event will be Jan. 18 at the Boyd Community Innovation Center (711 Saluda Ave).

GrowCo’s Startup Showcase will conclude a four-week venture creation workshop designed to help first-time entrepreneurs create high-growth startups from scratch in Columbia. This program was facilitated in partnership with global venture firm and startup accelerator, gener8tor.

The event will kick off at 5 p.m. and will feature three-minute pitches from the Columbia-based startups that graduated from the gALPHA Columbia Accelerator Fall 2022 cohort. Each team will pitch their ideas to the audience and may request new team members, mentorship, pitch advice, and more.

The public is invited to attend and register for GrowCo’s Startup Showcase event here.

gALPHA Columbia graduate Damian Gaiski-Weitz commented, “The gALPHA Columbia program has given me the support and momentum to turn my idea into a reality over a four week program. I’m excited to continue working with GrowCo as I continue to build my startup.”

“I have witnessed first hand the amount of determination and discipline from program participants to push through this program over the holiday season and perfect their pitches for the showcase,” GrowCo’s executive director Caroline Crowder noted. “I’m excited for our local Columbia community to show up for our new entrepreneurs and cheer them on as they enter the next phase of their journey.”

Mentors and investors interested in connecting with the startup companies are encouraged to contact Caroline Crowder, GrowCo’s executive director.

“I’m incredibly excited to introduce this group of local entrepreneurs at our showcase event in such an amazing venue,” said Linda Janes, gALPHA Columbia director.

Funding for the gALPHA Columbia Accelerator was made possible by investments into GrowCo from The Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation.

 

About GrowCo
Created by founders, for founders: GrowCo’s mission is to inspire, develop, and support high growth/high tech founders throughout their entire entrepreneurial journey with peer to peer connections & critical resources to optimize success rates and create an inclusive culture of entrepreneurship in the Midlands of SC.

About gener8tor
gener8tor is a global venture firm and accelerator network that supports startups, workers, employers, artists and musicians across race, place and gender. gener8tor partners with companies, governments, universities and nonprofits to operate programs and conferences in more than 41 communities across 22 states and two countries. Fast Company named gener8tor one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021 and 2022. The International Trade Council recognized gener8tor as Global Venture Capital Firm of the Year in 2022.