- Date published
Cohort 5 is Coming – And It’ll be Better than Ever
We know entrepreneurship, innovation and thinking big will be what moves our community forward. We’re proud to do our part to support the dreamers and doers who will lead the way, and we’re excited to announce that the efactory’s accelerator program will be back in action this summer!
The efactory accelerator gives startups the edge they need to reach the next level, helping companies shave years off their roadmap to customers and profitability. How do we do it? We connect founders, experts, corporate partners, and communities to rapidly grow and transform companies.
The competitive, application-based program provides founders with a capital investment in addition to unmatched resources and world-class support. We’ve made exciting program changes to make Cohort 5 the very best yet.
For the first time ever, the specialized programming and support provided to accelerator companies will be accessible across a variety of formats. We know founders are busy, and our program has been completely redesigned with accessibility and flexibility in mind. We’ve worked hand in hand with our team at the Missouri SBDC at Missouri State University to revamp programming and support that will be delivered in on-demand, in-person, and virtual formats, so founders can stay focused on growing their business.
“The efactory accelerator is a critical piece of our region’s efforts to support entrepreneurs and early-stage startups. The strategic changes and investments we’ve made over the last year will allow us to deploy resources and support to selected companies in ways we’ve never been able to before. On-demand content blended with in-person and virtual activity will truly be a game changer for the companies selected to participate in Cohort 5,” said Rachel Anderson, Director of the efactory.
About the Accelerator
We back extraordinary entrepreneurs because we believe in the power of dreamers and doers to create a better future for all. Cohort 4 blew us away at Demo Day in 2019, and we know Cohort 5 will do the same this year.
Applications for Cohort 5 will be open May 1 – May 31, 2021. The program will begin on July 19, 2021 and run through the end of the year. Companies selected to participate in Cohort 5 will each receive a $30,000 investment in exchange for eight percent equity. All participating companies gain access to a dedicated business consultant with the Missouri SBDC at MSU, a lead mentor, industry introductions, specialized programming, founder peer groups and roundtables, legal and accounting assistance, our full mentor network and more.
The efactory accelerator program was launched in 2017. Initial investors in the seed capital fund include Missouri State University Foundation, the Missouri Technology Corporation, Rural Missouri Inc., and the Springfield Business Development Corporation. BancorpSouth, Central Bank, Great Southern Bank, U.S. Bank, and Wood & Huston Bank each made additional investments in the seed capital fund in 2019.
