Summer Incubator Hosts Student & Alumni Entrepreneurs

The StartupHoyas Summer Launch Program at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business is hosting nine entrepreneurial ventures this summer in its startup incubator program.

Now in its sixth year, the eight-week program is designed specifically for current Georgetown students and alumni who want to launch a new venture. The 16 students and alumni in the program hail from across the university, including from Georgetown McDonough, the School of Continuing Studies, Georgetown College, and the Walsh School of Foreign Service, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The teams receive dedicated support from Georgetown faculty, mentors, and other experienced entrepreneurs; work space in the business school’s Rafik B. Hariri Building on the Georgetown campus; introductions to local investors and entrepreneurs; invitations to exclusive networking events; and the opportunity to present their ideas to the D.C. entrepreneurial community.

The Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative held an open house with the participants on Tuesday, June 14, and the teams will present their work at a showcase event held at 1776 on Tuesday, July 26.

This year’s companies include:

CliqueStyle, a style app that connects shoppers with freelance fashion advisers. It is led by Josh Phillips (MBA ’14).

GOODPartners, which provides custom-designed, high impact service programs on behalf of philanthropists, nonprofits, and corporate sponsors. It is led by Darius Baxter (C ’15), Troye Bullock (C ’16), Staysi Rosario (C ’16), and Daniel Wright (C ’16).

Hemeos, an independent blood stem cell donor bank that uses a commercial model to incentivize donors from backgrounds most needed by hospitals for transplants. It is led by Jon Fernandez (MBA ’16), Doug Grant (MBA ’16), and Craig Poland (MBA ’16).

InstaBestie, an app to connect girls who are looking for companions for leisure activities. It is led by Sagana Otgondorj and Yuxi Pan (MBA ’17).

Maracas Ice Pops, producers of gourmet, handcrafted, all-natural fruit ice pops. It is led by Julia Padierna-Peralta (SFS ’87).

Microcoaching, a platform for on-demand video game coaching. It is led by Emre Ruhi (MBA ’17), Dwight Stalls (MBA ’17), and Dan Tasch (MBA ’17).

SEED, an app to promote accountability of law enforcement through data submitted by users. It is led by Brandon Anderson (C ’15).

VamosA, which provides custom short-term study abroad opportunities in Latin America. It is led by Juan Felipe Cardona (SFS ’14).