By: Kaliena Joy Bowen
WeWork Labs Atlanta is offering a new program to support tech-driven startup alumni of local pre-accelerators and accelerators. The Entrepreneur Support Program Alumni Package fosters significant networks to help entrepreneurs establish their brands. With 80 locations around the globe, WeWork Labs offers a platform for startups and forward-thinking enterprises to connect.
Joey Womack, WeWork Labs Atlanta Manager, is an entrepreneur and influencer in the local tech startup ecosystem. He educates everyday people on becoming tech entrepreneurs and solving problems within their neighborhoods. In this position, Womack creates the curriculum and gives startups a strong community of business owners to connect with and learn from.
Ten Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund alumni have been accepted into WeWork Labs Atlanta’s initiative. These entrepreneurs will now have access to three months of accountability through weekly standups, a dedicated mentor, and exclusive invitations to WeWork Labs and Lab partner events.
Alumna entrepreneur, Ashley Bella (B.I.S. ’10) of ArtzyBella, feels as if she’s in “a competitive graduate certificate program for entrepreneurs who are figuring out how to thrive during COVID-19.”
Even though the Labs program has just begun, alumna and founder of SELF, Gynella Ngounou (B.I.S. ’21) says the experience “is a high for me; I’m so grateful and excited to learn how to take my business to the next level.”
The Main Street Seed Fund alumni accepted into WeWork’s Entrepreneur Support Program earned their spot after completing a 6-month accelerator program, hosted by Georgia State University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute. This opportunity, to learn and connect with diverse startups in the Atlanta area, will build upon that momentum.
Sasha-Gay Trusty (B.A. ’19) of Quaint Revolt Media says she appreciates WeWork Labs Atlanta for “providing actionable insights she can apply to her business immediately, as well as in the future.”
WeWork Labs Atlanta hopes to empower the next generation of founders in diverse industries and connect them to influencers, corporations and investors across the world.
These 10 Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund alumni received access to WeWork Labs Atlanta’s Entrepreneur Support Program Alumni Package:
- Airlift – Sheehan Khan (College of Arts and Sciences, B.S. Computer Science ’15)
- Angel Assistance – Savannah Samples (College of Education & Human Development, B.S.Ed. Middle-Level Education ‘16)
- ArteHub – London Balbosa (College of Arts and Sciences, B.I.S. Media Entrepreneurship ’19) and Rhythm Varsheney (Robinson College of Business, B.B. A. Computer Information Systems ’19)
- ArtzyBella – Ashley Daramola (College of Arts & Sciences, B.I.S. in Arts Administration ’10)
- Bukhari Tutoring & Health – Usama Muta-Ali (College of Arts & Sciences, B.S. Chemistry ’21)
- EcoDrop Technologies – Nicole Toole (Robinson College of Business, B.B.A. Computer Information Systems ‘22) and Ishir Vasavada (Robinson College of Business, B.B.A. Finance ’19)
- Kemnu – Viraj Patel (Robinson College of Business, M.B.A. ‘21) and Vishwa Mudigonda (Robinson College of Business, B.B.A. Computer Information Systems ’19 and M.B.A. ‘21)
- Quaint Revolt – Sasha-Gay Trusty (College of Arts and Sciences, B.A. Journalism ’19)
- Student Expressing Life Through Fashion – Gynella Ngounou (Robinson College of Business, B.I.S. Social Entrepreneurship ’21)
- Totem Agency Co. – Ashley Richardson (Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, B.S. Economics ’17)
Visit eni.gsu.edu/mainstreet to read more about these companies.