Ryn Delpapa, 2024 Flagship Fellowship Fellow
Generously sponsored by our Partners
Luff Fellowship
Alaxandria Foreman
Chi Tech Collective (CTC)
Chi Tech Collective (CTC) is focused on addressing entrenched disparities and disinvestment in Chicago’s South Side. By empowering technologists of color through educational programs, mentorship, and networking opportunities, and facilitating their integration into the tech ecosystem, CTC creates pathways to employment and funding. This fosters community revitalization and attracts professionals to the area. In 2023, CTC generated $2.5 million USD in revenue ,and impacted over 300 individuals through its programs, including the Black Computer Science Summit at Google, South Side Innovates: State of Chicago’s Black Tech Community initiative, and Coded In Color Networking Nights.
Hoge Fellowship
Anna Luisa Beserra Santos
SDW For All
SDW For All is a globally recognized startup founded by Anna, an internationally acclaimed leader who has earned accolades such as the UN’s Young Champion of the Earth, Forbes Under 30, and one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices for Sustainability. SDW’s mission is to democratize access to clean water and sanitation in isolated rural areas through innovative, sustainable technologies like Aqualuz. Since its inception, SDW has raised $1.2 million in capital and introduced four innovative products, impacting over 27,000 people across 15 Brazilian states. Aqualuz alone has benefited over 10,000 people by providing them with clean water.
Tech Fellowship
Carl White III
Movespot
Movespot is dedicated to improving mental health and well-being by fostering authentic social connections. By addressing the detrimental effects of conventional social media, such as anxiety and depression, Movespot cultivates a supportive community environment through its comprehensive mobile app platform. To date, the app has achieved a day-one retention rate of 77%, secured over 40 partnerships with organizations and community groups including Gatorade, Miro, and Github, and raised $100,000 in capital.
Kenneth King Foundation Fellowship
Charlie Losche
Frisson Systems, Inc.
Frisson Systems, Inc. offers a web-based platform that allows disadvantaged communities to create and share machine learning-enabled tools and applications in a no-code environment, aiming to mitigate labor displacement due to automation. Designed for individuals who lack technical skills and who work in industries that are most impacted by automation, Frisson enables the development of data processing pipelines and the deployment of machine learning models to enhance their work. The venture currently has pilots in progress with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and the Colorado Internet Portal Authority.
Tech Fellowship
Christine Chen
Bridge.WQ
Bridge.WQ is dedicated to bridging the gender digital divide and economically empowering women by providing essential AI skills. Its flagship solution, “Another Day,” is an interactive AI training game designed for women, combining engaging narratives with professional development. Targeting women from marginalized backgrounds, the game is accessible on iOS and Android, fostering a supportive online community. Bridge.WQ aims to break down barriers to AI education.Bridge.WQ has a 5-star rating on Google Play and has raised $250,000 in capital to further develop and scale its innovative platform.
Jane Strode Miller Fellowship
Daniel Shin Un Kang
Flowbo
Flowbo is revolutionizing access to capital for non-salaried workers, such as freelancers and creators, who are often excluded by traditional financial institutions due to rigid credit metrics. By integrating data from social platforms and open banking, Flowbo has developed a novel credit system that accurately assesses risk and provides direct financial support through revenue-share products and the Flowbo credit card. To date, the venture has raised over $3.4 million in capital from investors including Y-Combinator and Global Founders Capital.
Mike and Christine Miles Fellowship
Dan Futrell
Polymath University
Polymath University revolutionizes higher education by offering a unique Bachelor’s Degree program integrating three non-adjacent majors. This three-year program combines full-time study in the first year with apprenticeships in partnership with employers during the second and third years. The venture’s team includes seasoned PhDs, educational designers, and professors, with Dr. Brian Rosenberg, a former college president and Harvard visiting professor, serving as a senior advisor. Recently, the venture secured $75,000 in funding.
Sustainability Fellowship
Flavia Pereira
Anduba Brazilian Art
Anduba Brazilian Art addresses the global urgency of Amazon rainforest preservation by connecting people with its vibrant culture and critical role in the environment through art and design. The venture curates and imports Amazonian handicrafts, décor, and art, blending traditional elements with contemporary aesthetics to appeal to international audiences. To date, the venture has connected with 60 clients, raised $50,000 in capital – including $10,000 in sales, and secured placements in 4 showrooms. Anduba currently partners with 12 indigenous communities and has empowered 1,400 artisans, 87% of whom are women.
Jane Strode Miller Fellowship
Ina Kovacheva
ARCH DASH
ARCH DASH is dedicated to reducing the environmental footprint of buildings by enhancing their energy performance through a platform for ongoing monitoring, analysis, and optimization. The venture enables owners to make data-driven decisions for healthier, more efficient, and sustainable buildings. Since developing an MVP, their focus has shifted from architecture firms to direct engagement with building owners and managers, allowing for more impactful implementation. ARCH DASH has been accepted into the NASDAQ Accelerator Program and has raised $36,000 in capital to support its mission.</u
Jane Strode Miller Fellowship
Jessica Mendoza
Monadd
Monadd is a fintech and consumer tech company that simplifies and automates home bill management, empowering residents to take control of their bills and subscriptions through their AI-powered software. Monadd includes a carbon footprint calculator that calculates down to C02 grams per mail and package item to educate residents on their mailing waste and to provide tangible ways residents can minimize their impact. The venture is a pending B-corp organization with articles of association and was one of 20 companies admitted to AWS Impact Accelerator Latino Founders Cohort in 2023.
Jane Strode Miller Fellowship
Jessica Munoz Valerio
Learning Careers Environment
Learning Careers Environment (LCE) aims to address the gap in career guidance for late elementary and middle school students. The venture empowers students through engaging role-play and exploration of various career pathways, helping them discover their passions and cultivate essential skills for their professional journeys. Since its beta launch in 2020, LCE has attracted over 400 users with an additional 460 currently on their waiting list, and raised $32,000 in capital to further develop its EdTech applications, enhancing career knowledge and life-skills learning for long-term student success.
Kenneth King Foundation Fellowship
Laura Easley
ReGEN
ReGEN transforms school communities through a three-year co-creation model that engages students, parents/caregivers, and educators in the change process. ReGEN empowers communities to identify problems, define change outcomes, and implement solutions collaboratively. To date, ReGEN has raised $35,000 in capital and worked with four schools, including Florence High School and Denver Center for International Studies – impacting 1,430 students, 2,145 parents/caregivers, and 273 educators. ReGEN’s efforts have led to action plans addressing teacher agency, community-based learning, and restorative justice.
Sustainability Fellowship
Liz Alspach
The Mercery
The Mercery aims to rebuild the textile supply chain by connecting artisan weavers to a global market that values and sustains their work. Focusing on small to medium-sized, ethically focused home textile brands, The Mercery addresses the demand for high-quality, transparently produced textiles. Since its founding in 2022, the venture has increased its client base by 2.3x, impacted 715 artisans, and introduced three new product lines. The venture has raised over $43,000 in capital and is currently working with artisans in Chiapas and Oaxaca, Mexico.
Kenneth King Foundation Fellowship
Madeline Freeman
NoSo November
NoSo November addresses the chronic overuse of addictive technology among teenagers in Colorado, aiming to reduce its negative impact on mental health. By providing an immersive, multi-faceted detox experience, NoSo educates teens about the harms of social media and equips them with healthy coping mechanisms. In 2023, NoSo engaged approximately 6,300 participants in partnership with local organizations like Colorado University and Runners Roost, 89% reported noticeable improvements in mental health. To date, the venture has raised over $26,000 in capital and has been featured on 9News Colorado for their work and impact in the state.
Sustainability Fellowship
Michelle Ware-Allen
GreenGather
GreenGather is an event management platform dedicated to transforming how events are planned, managed, and executed to address environmental degradation caused by unsustainable practices. By seamlessly integrating with established platforms like Eventbrite and Cvent, GreenGather enhances their functionalities with sustainability-focused features, making eco-conscious event planning accessible and efficient. The venture has raised $143,000 and is developing a prototype based on insights from customer discovery interviews with organizations such as Greenbiz and The Rockefeller Foundation.
Jane Strode Miller Fellowship
Pedro Gayotto
Vivalá Turismo
Vivalá Turismo, a sustainable tourism business in Brazil, offers authentic travel experiences that preserve biodiversity and benefit native communities. By focusing on protected lands, Vivalá boosts local economies through income and job creation for service providers. In 2023, Vivalá earned $3.1 million BRL ($608,000 USD) in revenue from over 1,000 travelers, preserving 4.4 million acres of land, engaging 700 local providers, and injecting over $3.6 million BRL ($706,000 USD) into local economies.
Sistla Planet Scale Fellowship
Robert Luo
Mi Terro
Mi Terro transforms biomass waste, like potato peels, into high-value biomaterials to eliminate microplastics and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80%. Using sustainable biopolymers and natural fibers, Mi Terro supports farmers and promotes good land use. The company has secured funding from Unilever and AB InBev, signed agreements with 15 clients worldwide, and collaborates with brands like P&G and Henkel. Their patented, USDA Biobased Certified product is being tested by major household brands, with significant deals in place with companies like Georgia-Pacific.
Sistla Planet Scale Fellowship
Ryn Delpapa
Virtual Oasis Tech
Virtual Oasis Tech empowers diverse, neurodivergent minds and marginalized individuals through creativity and knowledge sharing to drive positive environmental change. The game design incorporates geolocation, AR/VR, creative health, biofeedback, and skill development to promote climate action, permaculture, and socio-emotional learning. Currently, the game is in the pre-design stage, including customer discovery for market fit. Founder Ryn, with 7 years in B2B SaaS product and project roles, recently completed the Space Center Houston’s Human Performance Accelerator Lab Leadership and Development Program.
Luff Fellowship
Teya Knapp
Asafespacementor Corp
Asafespacementor Corp addresses the critical lack of mental health resources and accessibility in BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and marginalized low-income communities by providing free solutions and spaces for mental health support. To date, the venture has raised $70,000 in capital, facilitated over 100 mental health retreats for young BIPOC women, and supported close to 1,000 young adults in New York State with free mental health resources. Asafespacementor Corp has secured significant sponsorships from Nike, Maybelline, Topicals, Pacifica, and Lush Cosmetics.
Jane Strode Miller Fellowship
Vidhi Bubna
Coral Warriors
Coral Warriors is dedicated to raising awareness about marine life, corals, and climate change. They educate through workshops in rural India and fund scuba diving initiatives for marginalized communities. To date, Coral Warriors has educated 57,000 people, trained 20 individuals in scuba diving, funded 7 scuba diving scholarships, and sold 2,500 books on marine topics. Expanding its impact, Coral Warriors is now working on a vegan cafe in Lonavala, specializing in sustainable and healthy food for travelers. The cafe will sell vegan cheese, with plans to create a packaged and distributed format of vegan cheese in India.