YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Last edited 1:48 p.m., July 28, 2016
The eFactory today announced the first four startups selected to enter its business accelerator program.
The companies are:
• Eagle Speak, a communications platform development company;
• Mofin Labs, which uses a research and development business model to build solutions for financial institutions;
• ShopZeely, an interactive video-based platform allowing users to shop for goods at physical stores in real time; and
• The Daily Scholar, which developed a cloud-based publication software system.
Through the program starting Aug. 1, the firms receive $30,000 in seed money in exchange for 8 percent equity held by a subsidiary of Springfield Innovation Inc. Funded, in part, by $150,000 apiece from the Missouri State University Foundation and RMI Inc., as well as $75,000 from the Springfield Business Development Corp., the accelerator also gives companies mentorship and office space, as well as networking and follow-on funding opportunities.
The companies will present 5 p.m. Aug. 10 at The eFactory during a meet-and-greet session.
Guest columnist Donnie Brawner says many entrepreneurs stray from their original business ventures, which is often a recipe for success.