Each of the five participating startups will receive milestone-based funding of up to $100,000, among other support. <\/p>\n
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Auxilium, a Worcester-based startup hub looking to boost entrepreneurs in Central Massachusetts<\/a>, has named its first group of founders participating in its Innovation Studio and formed a partnership with another Worcester-based, entrepreneur-focused nonprofit.<\/p>\n Each of the five participating startups will receive milestone-based funding of up to $100,000, along with access to coworking space, personalized mentorship, and additional business support, according to a Tuesday press release from Auxilium.\u00a0<\/p>\n The five participating startups are: Basifly, a firm started by former longtime Dell EMC employee Mike Mitchell, which seeks to create a platform where air travelers can connect with each other to coordinate private flights. Pointshot, a company founded by hockey goaltending coach Nick D\u2019Errico aiming to connect athletes with expert coaches through an online platform. Legacy Heirloom, a business started by MassTech Program Director Megan Marszalek seeking to modernize the estate-planning process through a platform helping families catalog meaningful belongings. CollegeROI, a startup initiated by Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduate Nick Gronda which aims to create a platform helping families compare the costs and long-term returns of college. EPIGO, a firm started by Linda Waller looking to launch a compact injector which can deliver lifesaving care for those with severe allergies.\u00a0 \u201cEarly-stage founders often face a critical gap, they have promising ideas, but they need a runway, structure, and community to turn those ideas into viable companies,\u201d ZacharyDutton, executive director of Auxilium, said in the press release. \u201cWith the Innovation Studio, we have designed a program that gives entrepreneurs the time, resources, and network they need to focus, iterate, and grow and we\u2019re inviting founders near and far to bring their vision here.\u201d<\/p>\n To help facilitate the rollout of Auxilium\u2019s Innovation Studio, the organization is teaming up with The Venture Forum, another Worcester-based organization looking to grow the area\u2019s startup scene<\/a>. The Venture Forum will assist in developing workshops and mentorship framework.<\/p>\n \u201cThe collaboration between Auxilium and The Venture Forum shows how our entrepreneurial ecosystem can come together to support founders,\u201d Greg Dalle-Molle, executive director of The Venture Forum, said in the press release. \u201cBy combining our networks and expertise, we are creating a seamless continuum of support, from early exploration and validation at TheVenture Forum to structured, milestone-based growth at Auxilium. It\u2019s exactly the kind of compatibility that allows startups to take the next step with confidence as they scale.\u201d<\/p>\n Dutton was previously the leader of The Venture Forum before he joined Auxilium, with Dalle-Molle taking over Dutton\u2019s previous role at The Venture Forum in May.\u00a0<\/p>\n Auxilium\u2019s launch was announced in January<\/a>. In the time since, the accelerator has signed a partnership with a similar group in Rhode Island<\/a> and launched a spin-off entrepreneurship hub at Quinsigamond Community College<\/a>. <\/p>\n
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