Insights

Following in the footsteps of some of the Triangle’s most successful startups, these 9 companies will participate in the 12-week program, culminating in demo day on June 29.

Research Triangle Park, NC, April 13, 2023  — The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) announced the newest companies accepted in its GRO Incubator. These 9 companies will participate in the twelve-week incubator program, which aims to launch high-growth, high-impact companies looking to grow their venture through valuable programming and coaching. 

The companies were selected from a large pool of applicants through a screening process to ensure company/program fit. “This is always an exciting time for us,” said Jay Bigelow, Head of Entrepreneurship. “We’ve spent the last 8 weeks or so recruiting and screening companies, matching them with coaches, and now it’s time to get to work.”  

The 9 companies are: 

1. Aktiga: is an Asheville-based SaaS product development company dedicated to building immersive technology products and platforms for the web. Through leveraging virtual reality and state-of-the-art web development, their goal is to build highly accessible products, platforms, content, and immersive online experiences
2. Cosmic Eats: develops innovative agrifood solutions for sustainably feeding individuals and populations, whether on Earth or in space. They enable their customers to reduce their dependence on existing food systems and food supply chains by enabling the production of nutritious food on location, at the site of consumption, starting from planting the seed and going all the way through to delivering fresh and shelf-stable ingredients for tailored nutrition
3. GxPaaS: is a cloud-based SAAS platform for life sciences professionals who want to eliminate waste in their current formal testing processes that are a direct result of the practice of executing test plans using pen and paper. GxPaaS moves the entire process of composition and execution into a modern browser-based environment where users can focus on the critical task of verifying equipment and systems are ready to produce medicines
4. HBCUMent: are developing a platform to connect students with mentors in a University setting, starting with Elizabeth City State University
5. IX Studio: is an immersive and fun gameplay realm where they develop games that all can enjoy and play on an international scale while actively providing security online for their players
6. Jobvious: is a marketplace platform to simplify the process for car dealers to find automotive aftermarket specialists
7. Rbundle: reduces the time spent on requests for proposals for professional services and quickly connects businesses and providers to engage with the service. This results in more services at more competitive prices in less time. Professional services include areas like tax, audit, legal, IT, cyber security, and business consulting.
8. Reed Ag Solutions: is developing a novel technology solution based on a combination of an autonomous robot system and an AI/deep-learning-based Computer Vision modeling system. This will significantly augment and decrease the need for human labor in large acreage plantation growing operations, as well as improve the efficacy of the application of agronomic material products and improve the efficiency of harvesting crops.
9. Solib Solutions: research and innovate on solutions for current battery problems like safety, limited power, and narrow operating temperatures. They manufacture solid-state electrolytes and solid-state hybrid batteries that are safe and more powerful.

Programming Details

GRO will offer weekly classes delivered by talented speakers and other foundational learning elements. Participants of GRO will also receive 1:1 coaching from industry leaders and entrepreneurs and complete assignments that will help them launch their ventures.

The program will conclude with Demo Day, June 29th, where participating companies will have the chance to get up on stage for a 5-minute pitch to the audience. Demo Day aims to serve as an introduction for our companies into the wider RDU ecosystem of entrepreneurs and innovators.  

“With GRO, we have updated and enhanced our content but have kept CED’s special sauce- namely, getting to meet and speak with experts and experienced entrepreneurs who have ‘been there/done that’ and who could become your key business contacts for life,” added Jay. 

Creating equitable access for all startups

As part of an organization-wide DE&I focus, CED awarded five scholarships to eliminate financial requirements and create access for startups that otherwise would be unable to participate. We’d like to recognize PNC Bank and CED’s Board of Directors for their contribution to the GRO Scholarship Fund. Learn more about sponsoring a company. 

For more information about the program, visit the cednc website.
Media should contact Preet Mankad at pmankad@cednc.org for more information.