SEATTLE — Fledge LLC, the first “conscious company” incubator has launched today and announced it is accepting applications for its first cohort of companies.
Fledge nurtures and invests in companies serving the large and growing number of consumers who are: environmentally conscious, energy conscious, health conscious, conscious of sustainability, of community, and even conscious of consumption itself.
Entrepreneurs with plans to fill the unmet needs of these “conscious consumers” currently find little support, as the entrepreneurial infrastructure is primarily aimed at fostering “tech” startups (be they software, “clean” or “biotech”). Seattle has a strong set of such services, including: Startup Weekend, TechStars, Founders Co-op, and SURF Incubator, along with numerous tech-centric venture capital funds. However, all of these focus and filter on technology as a means to meet customers’ needs, missing opportunities which are not tech-centric.
Fledge promises to fill this gap. Inspired by the efforts at #SocEnt Weekend, by the University of Washington’s Environmental Innovation Challenge, and the “Sustainable” MBA taught at Bainbridge Graduate Institute, Fledge helps entrepreneurs move from raw idea to operational startup, focusing first on customers’ needs, regardless of whether the product or service is high-tech, low-tech, or no-tech.
Based on the successful TechStars model, Fledge is opening up applications for an eight-week cohort of startups, running July through September. Selected companies will:
- Receive $7,000 in funding
- Co-locate in downtown Seattle
- Be mentored by experienced entrepreneurs
- At the end of 8 weeks, present at Demo Day
Applicants should visit http://fledge.co/apply to fill out an online application. Applications are due by Saturday, June 30th. Early applications will receive beneficial treatment.
For others interested in mentoring, investing, or tagging along, please sign up at http://fledge.co/contact-us
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CONTACT: Michael Libes, Founder and Managing Director, press@fledge.co
