Directly aligned with the STL 2030 Jobs Plan priority to create a world-class ecosystem for small businesses and entrepreneurs, the Diverse Business Accelerator is for ethnically, racially, and gender-diverse business owners looking to advance their enterprise’s capacity to grow. In the span of three months, program participants will learn how to develop actionable business expansion goals, market, and communicate their services, make meaningful business connections, and identify the capital and resources required to support growth.
The program concludes with the Final Pitch Competition, when participants present their businesses to a panel of regional stakeholders for a chance to win $25,000 in equity-free capital to invest in their business growth plan.
Cohort By Year
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023
2023
Portfolio Companies |
Industry |
CEO/Owner |
Cohort |
Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buzzed Bull Creamery | Retail | Ellen Brazelton | 10 | https://www.buzzedbullcreamery.com/ |
| Flora | Manufacturing | Dr. Natalie King | 10 | https://floraebeauty.com/ |
| Kendra Elaine LLC | Professional Services | Kendra Mack | 10 | https://www.kendraelaine.com/ |
| KimHEC, LLC | Advanced Business Services | Kimberly Cole | 10 | https://kimhec.com/ |
| Leslie L. Jones | Advanced Business Services | Leslie Sharp | 10 | https://www.leslieljones.com/ |
| Queritel Corporation | Advanced Business Services | Shani Bennett | 10 | https://queritel.com/ |
| Top Tutors for Us | Education | Angelica Harris | 10 | https://toptutorsforus.com/ |
GSL Diverse Business Accelerator Final Pitch Winner: Queritel Corporation
People's Choice Award: Top Tutors for Us
2022
Company Name |
Industry |
CEO/Owner |
Cohort |
Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Phillips Productions | Event Planning & Management | Melanie Phillips | 8 | |
| Brick City Stickers | Custom Promotional Merchandise | Rebecca Bolte | 9 | buttonmakers.net |
| Brilliant Audacity Conveyance | Trucking/Transportation - Freight | Kenneth Johnson | 9 | |
| Clinical Research Concierge | Healthcare/Clinical Research Management | Chekaya Glaspie | 9 | crconcierge.net |
| Reimagine Resources | Fitness Equipment Wholesaler/resale | Julianna Scheidhauer | 8 | reimagineresources.co |
| Simply Sweet Sensations | Customer Bakery | Jair Edwards | 9 | simplysweetsensationsllc.com |
| V15Able | App Development/Information Technology | Letisha Wexstten | 8 | v15able.com |
GSL Diverse Business Accelerator Final Pitch Winner: V15Able
People's Choice Award: Brilliant Audacity Conveyance
2021
Portfolio Companies |
Industry |
CEO/Owner |
Cohort |
Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black People Who Hike | Other/Tourism/Health & Wellness | Debbie Njai | 7 | https://blackpeoplewhohike.com/ |
| CC Black Lab | Other/Manufacturing | Cynthia Chapple | 7 | |
| Henrose Cares Inc | Education/Financial Services | Tanisha Luckett | 7 | https://henrosecares.org/ |
| Skin Deep Hygienic LLC | Retail/Manufacturing | Shaunessi Tucker | 7 | |
| Smith & Associates Realty Group LLC | Professional Services/Real Estate Brokerage | Amanda Smith | 7 | https://www.smithrealty.net/ |
| Soi Day Spa LLC | Professional Services/Spa | Dasha Robinson | 7 | www.soistl.com |
| Street Genius Innovations | Technology | Edward Thornton | 7 | www.streetgenius.net |
| The MCM Group LLC | Professional Services/HR Consulting | Monique McKinney | 7 | |
| The Rebel Geek | Professional Services | Erin Braxton | 7 | www.therebelgeek.com |
| A Dose of Insight | Marketing Firm | Alesha Henley | 6 | https://www.adoseofinsight.com/ |
| BTD Construction | Commercial Painting & Construction | Sheila Johnson | 6 | https://www.btd-construction.com/ |
| Pure Vibes | Retail Manufacturing/Worker Owned Co-op | Tiffany Wesley | 6 | https://hellopurevibes.com/ |
| Restoration Matters | Professional Development & Training | Lynne Lang | 6 | https://www.restorationmatters.org/ |
| Revive Outreach | Nonprofit community outreach | DaYonne Reed | 6 | https://www.reviveoutreachinc.org/ |
| Williams Academy** | Daycare | David Williams and Yonnick Jones | 6 | https://williamsacademystl.com/ |
GSL Diverse Business Accelerator Final Pitch Winner: BTD Construction
People's Choice Award: Williams Academy
2020
Portfolio Companies |
Industry |
CEO/Owner |
Cohort |
Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn Park Landscape Architecture | Environmental Design/Landscape Architecture | Christa Taylor | 5 | https://auburnparklandscapearchitecture.com/ |
| Eagle Productions | Public Relations | Angelia Bills | 5 | https://www.eagleproductionsllc.com/ |
| Golden Grocer Health Food Store * | Health Food Grocer | Jamila Owens Todd | 5 | |
| Lifespirations | Health & Wellness | Anika Porter | 5 | www.mylifespiration.com |
| Midwest Express Home Healthcare | Consumer Directed Home Healthcare Provider | Kimberly Whitaker | 4 | https://www.midwestexpresshomecare.com/ |
| Placement Experts USA | Talent Recruitment | Leenna Choudhary | 4 | https://www.placementexpertsusa.com/ |
| Revive Janitorial | Commerical Janitorial | DaYonne Reed | 4 | https://www.revive-janitorial.com/ |
Diverse Business Accelerator Final Pitch Winner: Golden Grocer Health Food Store
2019
Portfolio Companies |
Industry |
CEO/Owner |
Cohort |
Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDUrain | Fintech | Bryon Pierson | 3 | https://edurain.org/ |
| HR Tailormade | Human Resources Consulting | Tiffany Slater | 3 | www.hrtailormade.com |
| In Person Away Virtual Events | Virtual Event Planning | Linda Williams | 3 | www.virtualeventplanning.com |
| Liv Consultants | Business Strategy Consulting | Andrew Turnage | 3 | http://www.livstl.com/ |
| My T Sharp Janitorial LLC | Commerical Janitorial | Deanna Hemphill | 3 | https://hemphill2bless.wixsite.com/mytsharp |
| Our St. Louis History, LLC | Aja Corrigan | 3 | ||
| Root Soil & Water | Natual Skin Care | Kathleen Cook | 2 | https://www.rootsoilwater.com/ |
| TAI - CHI Consulting | HR/Business Solutions | Bing Dempewolf | 2 | www.tai-chiconsulting.com |
| Medical Guidance Systems | Biotech/Pharma | Sriram Devenathan, Principal | 1 | www.medgyde.com |
| Millicare Flooring & Textile | Commerical Floor Cleaning | Trish Jensen | 1 | https://www.millicare.com/mr-jensen-enterprises/ |
| MrsKeshSpeaks | Speaking & Consulting | Kesha Kent | 1 | https://mrskeshspeaks.com/ |
| Nerdy Diva LLC | App Development | Shanae Chapman | 1 | www.nerdydiva.com |
| The SAVA Group | Productivity Solutions | Shequana Hughes | 1 | https://thesavagroup.co |
| US Essential Supply and Services | Construction Supply and Services | Kayla Dennis | 1 | www.usessllc.com |
Diverse Business Accelerator Final Pitch Winner: My T Sharp Janitorial