Main Street Ventures is pleased to announce the recipients from the third quarter grant cycle.
The Startup Cincy community continues to grow through the interest and support of our local entrepreneurs. This quarter was the first quarter where grants were distributed from the The Cincinnati City Council provision of $1 Million to further the mission of Main Street Ventures in the Cincinnati entrepreneurial ecosystem. This financial contribution comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, a bill passed to assist the economic and health recovery of the United States brought by the COVID-19 Pandemic. These funds will help Main Street Ventures increase their grant programming specifically for Women-Owned small businesses that have been particularly susceptible to the impacts of COVID-19 due to lack of access to capital.
“I’m proud that City Council unanimously supported these stimulus dollars for the Main Street Ventures initiative to support female entrepreneurs. Data shows that closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship helps create more stable households, healthier communities, and stronger local economies. Supporting women-owned businesses has a direct impact on children and families and the impact of this program can benefit our city immensely.”- Liz Keating, Cincinnati City Council Member
Main Street Ventures provides two different types of funding; Launch and Leap Grants. Launch funding provides emerging, pre-revenue businesses at the Prototype or Product stage (showing clear evidence of direct customer engagement validating the business model and product) with $5,000 - $10,000 of equity free funding to increase the odds of reaching the Market Entry stage and beyond. Leap funding provides promising, revenue generating businesses with $10,000 - $30,000 of equity free funding to scale their community impact and increase the odds of survival.
The companies receiving Launch Grants are:
RE-Assist: RE-Assist is designed to become the ultimate referral assistance management app for patients in transitions of care, case management, and vendors to offer educated choices to improve quality of life.
The Epiphany Brand: The Epiphany Brand is creating a CPG product that aims to make towels cleaner between each use for the consumer by removing bacteria.
The companies receiving Leap Grants are:
Aclipse Campervans: Aclipse provides a unique travel experience by renting campervans that are thoughtfully designed and fully equipped with all of the camping essentials for adventures big and small.
Brookes & Hyde: Brookes and Hyde is a luxury accessory company focused on creating timeless and appealing products such as belts, wallets, and more.
The Corporation for Findlay Market: Findlay Market is Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market located in Over-The-Rhine. Supporting local businesses and getting your favorite Findlay Market foods is easier than ever with the Findlay Market Shopping App, giving you easy access to 30+ Findlay Market merchants, plus big-box store sundries, with convenient pick up and delivery options.
In total, Main Street Ventures awarded $110,000 in equity-free grant funding this quarter. These recipients will go on to use this funding to execute their respective plans to take their businesses to the next level. From technology platforms to equipment, the funding from Main Street Ventures continues to go directly into the local economy through the StartupCincy community.
About Main Street Ventures
Main Street Ventures is working to become the community-funded initiative that makes entrepreneurship possible for everyone in Greater Cincinnati, by supporting entrepreneurs with what they need, when they need it: Capital, Connections, and Education. We look to support all good ideas and founders, but with a particular focus on women and minority entrepreneurs who have been historically under-represented in the startup community.
For more information, visit mainstventures.org.