Miami, Florida, October 11, 2023- Endeavor Miami is thrilled to introduce its latest cohort of EndeavorLAB, a program dedicated to bolstering underrepresented founders as they establish a robust groundwork for expansion. This newest batch is proudly powered by Dell for Startups and FPL (Florida Power & Light Company) and will center its efforts on Black-led businesses based in Florida. As a part of the global Endeavor network, which has a presence in over 40 countries, Endeavor Miami leverages two decades of experience in scaling businesses to empower local entrepreneurs with high-caliber resources and services, enabling accelerated growth.
“Endeavor Miami is proud to present its latest EndeavorLAB cohort, with a specific focus on Black-led companies in Florida. We are incredibly thankful to our partners Dell for Startups and FPL for entrusting us with their support. This initiative draws knowledge and methodology from Endeavor’s global network, providing local Black entrepreneurs with the resources they need for rapid growth,” said Claudia Duran, Managing Director of Endeavor Miami.
The most recent EndeavorLAB cohort for Black Founders is poised to catalyze economic metamorphosis at the community level. This initiative brings together a select, high-caliber community of founders who share common challenges in their business journeys. To qualify for selection, companies need to have achieved product-market fit, generate a minimum recurring revenue, are headquartered in Florida, and be led by individuals who exemplify Endeavor’s core values, including coachability, transparency, and a commitment to paying it forward.
The ten businesses selected for this cohort embody the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of Black founders. A majority (70%) of the companies were founded within the last four years, with the median founding year being 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. These founders have also managed to operate successfully with very lean teams, employing between 1 and 16 full-time employees, and a total of 55 in Florida and around the world. Additionally, 40% of these companies are bootstrapped while 60% have raised some form of external capital that totals $3M.
Industries are incredibly varied, with the three most represented sectors being GovTech (20%), Retail & Consumer Tech (20%), and FinTech (20%). Other verticals represented include CleanTech, Enterprise SaaS, Food & Beverage and Media.
With a projected collective revenue of $4.5M by the end of 2023, which represents a 100% growth since 2022, this collective of home-grown businesses is poised to make a significant impact in the Florida startup scene and beyond.
Founders selected for the cohort will take part in preparatory activities in the upcoming weeks to acquaint them with the Endeavor model and enable an environment of authentic exchanges and learning. Founders will then undergo five weeks of group modules and individual mentorship sessions focused on building a foundation for scale. The initiative culminates with a pitch night to the Endeavor community for feedback, as well as exposure and opportunities for growth through Endeavor’s multiplier effect.
“At Dell Technologies and Dell For Startups we seek to partner with organizations that have the power to take entrepreneurs to the next level. Endeavor, with initiatives such as EndeavorLAB, is one of them.” Lucas Chaya del Pino.
Here is a full list of the EndeavorLAB Cohort:
Allison blends compliance and integrations into a single platform, for community banks and credit unions.
Entrepreneurs: Brian Alvarez-Bailey, Co-Founder & CEO, and Nicole Green, Co-Founder & Head of Sales
Avatar Buddy provides a technology-based digital mentor to help individuals reach their full potential. With a focus on education, employee engagement, and personal growth, Avatar Buddy offers personalized support, mentorship, and resources. Powered by AI, it revolutionizes the way we connect and support each other.
Entrepreneur: Stephanie Sylvestre, Co-Founder
GO See The City is a food waste reduction platform that connects surplus food from restaurants to consumers & nonprofits. It aims to be used as a catalyst to assist the USDA & EPA in reducing food waste by 50% by 2030.
Entrepreneur: Aneshai Smith, CEO
Hipstr is a technology platform designed to help event organizers streamline the process for creating, planning, and executing their media needs for their private events.
Entrepreneurs: Michael McIntosh, Co-Founder & CEO, and Rob Dextradeur, Co-Founder & COO
In the Kitchen with Alexandra provides home cooks and hot sauce aficionados with the first-ever premium Haitian sauces and condiments, flavor enhancers, and meal perfectors. Individuals who have an appetite for, and seek exotic and ethnic flavors, are cultivating a more diverse pantry, and In the Kitchen with Alexandra delivers precisely what consumers desire.
Entrepreneurs: Alexandra Baker, Co-Founder & CEO, and Troy Baker, Co-Founder & COO
Laundr is a vertical SaaS laundry company that brings laundromats to more customers and manages every aspect of the customer journey, from the first interaction through years of consistent service. It offers a seamless laundry service for end-users, overseeing customer service, as well as pickup and delivery, enabling laundromats to focus on doing laundry.
Entrepreneurs: Kyle Lampkin, Co-Founder & CEO, and Michael Behfar, Co-Founder & CTO
Lynk Me is an AI-powered compliance and digital identity provider that was founded in 2019 with a focus on underserved markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. As it has grown, Lynk Me has expanded into North America, while remaining committed to its original mission.
Entrepreneurs: Kesha Julien, Co-Founder & COO, and Louis Kinley, Co-Founder & CEO
Sensatek offers continuous monitoring of the biggest wind turbines using passive RF sensors for predictive maintenance.
Entrepreneurs: Reamonn Soto, CEO, Azryana Soto, COO, and Dr. Taofeek Orekan, CTO
WeTrain is the new authentic mobile app that connects K-12 parents with College & Pro athletes to complete 1 on 1 sport training sessions, virtual mentor sessions, group sessions, and events around the world!
Entrepreneur: Maurice Manswell, Founder & CEO
Inspired by personal experiences and a commitment to social impact, WorldSafe1st has been a pioneering company committed to revolutionizing community violence intervention solutions in public health and public safety for governmental agencies.
Entrepreneurs: Willmeisha Hall, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer (CMOO), Wayne Clarke, CEO, and Trevor Brooks, Chief Business Development (CBDO)
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For more information about EndeavorLAB, please visit the website or contact Becky Serson at [email protected].
About Endeavor Miami:
Endeavor’s Miami affiliate was established in 2013, with the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, as the first U.S. affiliate of the global Endeavor organization. Endeavor Miami is a non-profit organization that selects, mentors and supports high-impact entrepreneurs in Florida. In 2022, Miami’s Endeavor Entrepreneurs generated over $800M in revenues and employed over 5,000 individuals. With the addition of its newest companies, the affiliate currently supports 25 companies and 41 entrepreneurs, such as Momentis Surgical, NovoPayment, and Tissini. Learn more about Endeavor Miami at endeavormiami.org.
