STORIES OF SUCCESS
STORIES OF SUCCESS
STORIES OF SUCCESS
ASHLEE AMMONS & KERRY SCHRADER
“Creative Startups believed in us, gave us that infusion of support exactly when we most needed it.”
Founded in 2015, Mixtroz is now a leading provider of event engagement software, connecting people through customizable networking solutions. Using the power of technology with face-to-face connectivity, Mixtroz’s software tools allow large organizations and teams to capture data, create cross-sectional functionality, and achieve higher profitability.
Winner of our Creative Business Cup in 2017, Mixtroz credits Creative Startups with recognizing their talent, drive, and growth potential at a time when the business was struggling and the founders were considering throwing in the towel.
Mixtroz has since raised $1 million in seed funding through an investment led by the Black Star Fund!
Immersive Media & Tech
VINCE KADLUBEK, SEAN DI IANNI
“Creative Startups never tried to put us in a box. They trusted our vision, sharpened our focus. “Everything that has fallen into place for us is from the Creative Startups program”
Meow Wolf has taken the immersive art scene by storm. But when they applied to Creative Startups Accelerator they were struggling to identify a growth model that matched their vision for creative impact and global reach.
Today the artist-collective has surpassed $50 million in revenue and employs 450 artists. Currently building out new locations in Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Washington DC, Meow Wolf credits Creative Startups with opening up the world of entrepreneurship and investment, fast-tracking their success. Creative Startups was Meow Wolf’s first institutional investor.
Creative Experiences
SRIRUPA DASGUPTA & CHRISTINA MALDONADO
Upohar, meaning “gift” in Bengali, is a social impact restaurant and catering company where customers can affordably dine on global cuisines, celebrate the cultural heritage of our staff, and contribute to the lives of women who might otherwise fall through the cracks of our system. A certified B Corporation, we employ, train, and pay living wages to people experiencing significant barriers to workforce entry including newly resettled refugees and people experiencing homelessness.
Food, Tech, Cuisine
SYDNEY ALFONSO
Responding to the concern that humanity’s rich diversity of traditions, cultures and heritage are vanishing, Sydney started ETKIE to bring to life contemporary Native American designs. Today the brand is beloved by women In Europe, Asia, and across the USA. Inspired by the landscape and culture of the Southwest, ETKIE collaborates with a select team of expert artisans in New Mexico to create handmade jewelry that infuses traditional techniques with modern design.
Sold in nearly 100 stores on three continents, ETKIE has been featured in Elle, Vogue, The New York Times, and Google Reports.
Sydney joined Creative Startups Accelerator within a year of opening the business. “Creative Startups made sure I focused on the right priorities, and connected me with amazing mentors who helped me grow exponentially.”
Art, Design, Fashion