SYRACUSE — StartFast Venture Accelerator recently announced that it closed three follow-on investments in 2017, a “record number” for the firm. The companies financed include New York City–based Electronic Gaming Federation (EGF), Canadian company Tunedly, and Buffalo–based RepHike, according to a web posting by James Shomar, program director at StartFast Venture Accelerator on the website […]
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SYRACUSE — StartFast Venture Accelerator recently announced that it closed three follow-on investments in 2017, a “record number” for the firm.
The companies financed include New York City–based Electronic Gaming Federation (EGF), Canadian company Tunedly, and Buffalo–based RepHike, according to a web posting by James Shomar, program director at StartFast Venture Accelerator on the website of Upstate Venture Connect (UVC).
“Our efforts to find and mentor the best startups in the world are now paying off,” StartFast Managing Director Nasir Ali said in the posting. “We are looking forward to more follow-on financings and exits as our companies mature and grow.”
Applications are open for the 2018 StartFast Cohort. Those interested can apply now at StartFast.net.
StartFast is a six-year-old venture capital fund and membership-driven program. Each year StartFast invests in a select handful of software, mobile, or IoT (Internet of Things) companies, and hosts a three-month acceleration program at the Madden School of Business at Le Moyne College in Syracuse. Initial investment includes $25,000, with up to $100,000 in potential follow-on funding. During the accelerator, teams are “connected with world-class entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives and subject matter experts to help their companies advance to the next level,” StartFast says. “Graduates maintain access to the StartFast network for life.”
About the companies receiving follow-on investments
EGF’s mission is to build the next generation of the NCAA for e-sports in college and high school, according to StartFast. EGF oversees a collegiate e-sports league and is the only state-endorsed high school e-sports league in the country.
Tunedly is a marketplace that connects songwriters with session musicians to record and produce professional quality music. Using the company’s platform, artists from across the globe can collaborate in a virtual studio, per StartFast.
RepHike is an end-to-end software suite to help consumer brands launch, manage, and track college brand-ambassador programs. The programs have proven to be an “innovative” method for consumer brands to tap into the highly sought after college student market, according to the company.
“We’re incredibly excited about the progress these teams are making. It just goes to show how the right blend of investment and mentorship can be extremely valuable for startups,” Shomar wrote.