Startups have a smaller chance of getting into some of the nation's most competitive accelerator and incubator programs than high school graduates do of getting accepted into top-tier schools like Harvard.
It's a pretty impressive stat, but with a handful of incubator and accelerator programs throughout Austin, there are a ton of startups that have local programs to thank for some stage of their entrepreneurial journey. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of some of Austin’s notable startups that have since graduated and evolved into successful businesses.
Founded: 2012
Graduated from Capital Factory: 2013
What they do: Aceable has helped over 300,000 students pass driver’s ed courses with their online and mobile learning platform. The startup has raised over $8 million and has plans to offer new online certifications in other verticals.
Founded: 2010
Graduated: 2012
What they do: Shortly after BlackLocus’s graduation from ATI, the company was acquired by The Home Depot. Their technology analyzes online retailer data to provide competitive pricing insights and tools to guide The Home Depot’s business strategies.
Founded: 2013
Graduated from Capital Factory: 2014
What they do: By connecting healthcare professionals with their patients over secured video appointments, Chiron Health has played a role in the modernization of healthcare through technology. They raised more than $4 million in funding in October 2016.
Founded: 2008
Graduated from Capital Factory: 2009
What they do: With SpareFoot’s marketplace, users can compare pricing options and reserve storage units across the country to find the best options. The startup has grown to about 130 employees with nearly $50 million in funding.
Founded: 2010
Graduated from Capital Factory: 2013
What they do: Findhelp software helps people in search of information about social service organizations by matching them with federal, state, county, city, neighborhood and charity programs that might be able to help.
Founded: 2013
Graduated from Capital Factory: 2014
What they do: Cratejoy runs an e-commerce marketplace for subscription businesses and helps new businesses develop subscription services of their own. Last year, the startup shipped 3.7 million subscription boxes.
Founded: 2012
Graduated from Capital Factory: 2014
What they do: Homeowners and renters get control over their electricity bills with help from Curb. Their IoT system monitors electricity while collecting data to send real-time alerts and specific feedback to users regarding energy consumption.
Founded: 2014
Graduated from Capital Factory: 2014
What they do: RealSavvy’s CRM platform allows realtors to engage with clients via a visually-striking, collaborative and customizable board. Think Pinterest, but for realtors, buyers and sellers to lean on during the home search process. The CRM tracks every update from the board in real time so that realtors have the data stored and sorted.
Founded: 2013
Graduated from Capital Factory: 2014
What they do: Student Loan Genius’ perk program allows businesses to offer student loan debt programs to their employees. Its platform helps employees discover the best repayment options, and employers are able to match loan payments through contributions or offer auto-pay directly from employee paychecks.
Founded: 2013
Graduated from Techstars Austin: 2013
What they do: Patient IO was a member of the first Techstars Austin graduating cohort. Their mobile and web-based app enables patients to manage medications and review or record medical data and information from anywhere. In August 2016, Austin-based athenahealth acquired the startup.
Founded: 2013
Graduated from Techstars Austin: 2014
What they do: Convey connects retailers with consumers over a communications software for freight shipping of large items. Last summer, the company completed a $4.5 million Series A.
Founded: 2013
Graduated from Techstars Austin: 2014
What they do: Lawn care was introduced to the online ordering treatment when LawnStarter launched in 2013. The company’s platform allows users to select, schedule and pay for yard services like mowing, fertilizing, bush trimming and more, all of which is provided by local lawn teams. Following graduation from Techstars, the company raised two funding rounds totaling $7 million.
Founded: 2013
Graduated from Techstars Austin: 2014
What they do: What began as a virtual human sizing prediction tool for fashion in 2013 has now evolved into serving the clothing, sporting and VR industries. Bold Metrics’ digital systems accurately measure consumers using an algorithm based on survey questions and four years of data collected from body scanning companies. In 2016, they relaunched Fashion Metric as Bold Metrics.
Founded: 2015
Graduated from Techstars Austin: 2016
What they do: The Helper Bees is an online platform connecting seniors with local caregivers, errand runners, housework helpers, or just someone to keep them company, while lowering the cost — and providing more options — of in-home senior services.
Founded: 2008
Graduated from ATI: 2009
What they do: Spredfast’s social media SaaS tools help brands and agencies develop and connect with users over social media to drive business results. Since inception, the company has raised more than $100 million, including a $50 million round last year.
Founded: 2012
Graduated from ATI: 2014
What they do: Datical’s platform automates the process of database deployments, leading to a faster and more secure way of reviewing database change scripts. It also provides predictive and analytical insights of future database changes. In 2016, the startup was recognized as a trend-setting product for 2016 by Database Trends & Applications.
Founded: 2012
Graduated from ATI: 2014
What they do: Favor's delivery platform includes a network of runners that pickup your on-demand items from area restaurants and retailers. They've raised over $15 million in funding since 2013, including a $13 million Series A in 2015.
Founded: 2011
Graduated from ATI: 2016
What they do: Cleantech startup Bractlet analyzes energy data from commercial buildings to optimize usage and identify areas of energy savings. In addition to other cleantech companies, Bractlet's classmates also included those from IT/wireless and biosciences programs.
Founded: 2013
Graduated from ATI: 2016
What they do: Taking personalization to a whole new level, EyeQ's visual platform combines the online experience with the in-store experience. Its screens and technologies are set up inside stores, allowing for recommendations, reviews, product info and more. Since launch, they've raised over $4 million.
Images via featured companies and Facebook.
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