Orgain’s Accelerator Program Grants Bissy, Hakuna Brands, IncludeHealth $150,000 In Total To Scale Their Businesses
Summary
The program, which was first announced in February, has received hundreds of applicants, and picked six finalists in mid-May, including connected meditation system Aduri, health tracking app Charity Miles, upcycled wholesome snacks company Pulp Pantry, in addition to the three winners. Orgain’s CEO and founder Dr. Andrew Abraham, who sold a majority stake of his company to private equity firm Butterfly in 2019, told me, while these participants are at different stages of growth, they are either “filling a need or speaking to a consumer set currently unmet in the marketplace.” Cloud software-enabled IncludeHealth provides an inclusive functional trainer that allows people with limitations and impairments to perform hundreds of exercises. My goal has always been to build a brand that delivered clean nutrition products that were accessible to all.” However, the selection process wasn’t easy as Abraham said he and his small committee spent their time “diving into each application, reading through every company’s unique story and visualizing the impact and potential each startup could have toward a positive future. “I [also] plan to offer up some advice based on my experience and where appropriate make networking introductions, advise on problem solving, and deliver continued behind-the-scenes support as needed,” he said, noting each company has its own way to spend grant funds. Additionally, “[it] will help us achieve Fair Trade certification for our farmers, providing them with a proven model for higher wage compensation and sustainable growth,” they added.