Madworks graduates third Accelerator class

Madworks graduates third Accelerator class

Madworks logoCongratulations to the exciting slate of emerging companies that graduated as part of Madworks Accelerator’s 3rd class!

Applications for the 4th class, which begins May 26, are now being accepted until May 15.

Madworks graduates third Accelerator class

By Judy Newman, Wisconsin State Journal

Their products ranged from baby wraps to shower tools for older people, from yoga music to event promotion.

Eight teams of entrepreneurs — including one trio from as far as Brazil — wrapped up a 10-week program with the Madworks accelerator Monday, presenting their companies and celebrating afterward with beer, wine and munchies at the (unrelated) Madworks co-working space at University Research Park.

“Focus, focus focus” on what a business can do for its clients, Patrick Cunningham said the program taught him.

Cunningham and his new wife, Corrina Crade, of Chicago, started MogaMind a year ago with voiceover-guided music for stress reduction and motivation. Yoga studios are one of the first markets they’re aiming to attract.

Madworks also “hammered home” a sense of community among entrepreneurs, so strong and welcoming that the couple plan to move to Madison — Crade’s hometown — and grow their business here, Cunningham said.

“It has allowed an amazing way to become more integrated into the Madison entrepreneurial community as well as a great way to make fantastic contacts,” he said.

Madworks has been a relatively low-profile accelerator dealing mainly with very young companies and teaching them lean startup techniques — keeping costs down as they sharpen their plan and find potential customers. Read more …