NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, & NOTICES
Roanoke Times - Article on Light Therapy regarding Gauntlet and Innovation Mill Alumni - Total You Health Equine
Total You Health of Roanoke uses photobiomodulation light therapies to attempt to alleviate pain and inflammation for both humans and animals.
Total You Health of Roanoke uses photobiomodulation light therapies to attempt to alleviate pain and inflammation for both humans and animals. Special light therapy tools are placed around bothersome areas for an alternative, noninvasive treatment for arthritis, inflammation and other sources of pain that doesn't involve medication.
Original article found here.
WFIR Radio - A first for The Innovation Mill in Vinton – Grant funding for startup - Cowden Grant
It’s a first for The Innovation Mill in Vinton – one of the dozen or so startups they are nurturing has received a grant to develop its drone technology for farm use.
It’s a first for The Innovation Mill in Vinton – one of the dozen or so startups they are nurturing has received a grant to develop its drone technology for farm use. It won’t be the last grant as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
https://wfirnews.com/news/a-first-for-the-innovation-mill-in-vinton-grant-funding-for-startup?fbclid=IwAR1ByQntSQx91Y-KLeipgfKsUP2kPSWsEhO3rFdeJf4cabmv8ksdac-_K3o
Roanoke Times - Gauntlet 2020 Winners
A technology startup focused on the timely issue of hand washing captured the top award in this year’s Gauntlet Business Program and Competition.
A technology startup focused on the timely issue of hand washing captured the top award in this year’s Gauntlet Business Program and Competition.
The nonprofit Advancement Foundation held its sixth annual awards ceremony — this one virtual — on June 26. GermZapp, which has developed a hand-washing monitoring system that tracks compliance with recommended guidelines, earned first place, which came with $26,000 in cash and in-kind awards.
This year, 170 entrepreneurs representing 111 businesses participated in the business program, which kicked off in February and is open to those who want to start or expand a business in the region. After completing 10 weeks of classes, much of which was done virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 55 entrepreneurs competed for more than $300,000 in cash and prizes.
“From having over 170 entrepreneurs participating to shifting the program entirely online in response to COVID-19, this year's cohort truly embodied the spirit of entrepreneurship,” a news release from the Advancement Foundation states.
Horse Mountain Farm, which specializes in seed-raised chestnut trees and advocating for sustainable food sources, won second place, and Cowden Technologies, a Blacksburg-based drone technology company, earned third place.
Other top 10 winners were Patina Creek Silver, Total You Health, The Anchorage House, Woodlore, Twisted Track Brewpub, Anderson Music Therapy Services and Red Newt Bikes.
YouTube - Gauntlet 2020 Graduation and Ceremony
WFXR Living Local - The Advancement Foundation’s Gauntlet business program thrives through mentorship
Roanoke, VA (WFXR) — Over the past month on Living Local we have introduced viewers to current and past participants of the Advancement Foundation’s Gauntlet business program for entrepreneurs.
Roanoke, VA (WFXR) — Over the past month on Living Local we have introduced viewers to current and past participants of the Advancement Foundation’s Gauntlet business program for entrepreneurs.
This week, we spotlight Jennifer Eddy of the Eddy Alexander Firm. Eddy, an international award-winning Marketing Strategist has offered her expertise and been involved with the Gauntlet since its inception. She’s played various roles as faculty, a mentor, as well as a sponsor.
Eddy voices the importance of fortifying the community as well as the value of in-kind prizes for Gauntlet participants.
“When I moved to the Roanoke region I very quickly developed a passion for economic development and recognized that if I loved living here and I wanted my kids to love living here as much as I did long-term, I would need to participate in helping grow the economy in some capacity. The Gauntlet gave me an opportunity to give back and provide leadership and guidance in ways that I wish were available to me when I was first getting started with our organization.”
JENNIFER EDDY, EDDY ALEXANDER FIRM
Eddy has been instrumental in mentoring entrepreneurs in the Gauntlet program, recognizing that her knowledge and know-how can be that voice of reassurance and help entrepreneurs stay on track.
“The Gauntlet is amazing. It’s not just for tech companies or retail companies and manufacturers. The program has helped all of those kinds of businesses grow and thrive in our region and I believe many of them wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the Gauntlet. It’s been incredible to help mentor some of those business owners, to answer questions when they don’t know the answer, and often, to just provide reassurance if they’re on the right track when they’re feeling uneasy. There’s a number of businesses that have not only started and done very well but have become anchors in our community.”
JENNIFER EDDY, EDDY ALEXANDER FIRM
Anyone who thinks that they can help or offer beneficial services to business entrepreneurs shouldn’t shy away from reaching out to the Advancement Foundation. Eddy says, “giving back goes both ways.”
“I’ve learned as much from the businesses that I’ve gotten to meet and support through this process as I hope that I’ve given them and I want to encourage all of the businesses in the community to get involved. If you don’t have money to make a cash donation, you can get involved as an instructor or a mentor. If you want to observe or you want to support the process another way, then talk to the Advancement Foundation staff. They have created a number of on-ramps and at the end of the day, this isn’t about supporting my business or another, this is really about helping to fortify our community and make where we live a better place to live and work.”
JENNIFER EDDY, EDDY ALEXANDER FIRM
This year’s 6th annual Gauntlet award ceremony and graduation will take place virtually. You can be a part of that celebration by donating in-kind prizes or tuning in to the watch party on Thursday, June 25th at 6:00 pm. For more information, click here.
Original article found here.
WDBJ - Interview with Gauntlet Entrepreneur GermZapp
When you're washing your hands, you're probably not counting.
"Even though the 20 seconds feels excruciatingly long, that's a necessary 20 seconds," said Lisa Broyden, the CEO of WashUrHands LLC.
When you're washing your hands, you're probably not counting.
"Even though the 20 seconds feels excruciatingly long, that's a necessary 20 seconds," said Lisa Broyden, the CEO of WashUrHands LLC.
Twenty seconds, back to front, and under your nails is how long it takes to kill the germs. And while we trust employees wash their hands at work, what if there was a device that made sure they weren't skimping on the time?
"I'm a clinician, I work in a hospital, and just being aware of hand washing in general as a really good practice, I thought about a fun way to make it positive and incentive for hand washing in different settings as well as hospitals. So kind of cooked up my idea a little bit," said Broyden.
The idea is called Germ Zapp. It's currently patent pending. With some help from Thomas Weeks and the Advancement Foundations' Gauntlet Business program, several prototypes have been designed.
You could start seeing the prototypes in some local businesses within the next two months.
"It detects them as they walk up, using wireless technology to make sure they're washing their hands for the full CDC-recommended time frame for each stage of CDC hand-washing, and then reports that to a central dashboard on the cloud that employers can use to make sure their employees are compliant," said Thomas Weeks, the company CTO.
In a time when hygiene is increasingly important, Weeks and Broyden are confident the Germ Zapp will be able to make an impact.
"I would just say in a post-
world, a lot more people are going to be caring about hand hygiene and as such, what are you as a business going to be doing to make sure your employees are following due diligence," said Broyden.
Copyright 2020 WDBJ7. All rights reserved.
Original article found here.
WFXR Living Local - The Gauntlet Virginia’s largest business program and competition - Going Virtual
Annette Patterson Founder and President of the Advancement Foundation talks about how the gauntlet continues without a hitch and how online resources have aided the success of the program.
Annette Patterson Founder and President of the Advancement Foundation talks about how the gauntlet continues without a hitch and how online resources have aided the success of the program.
WDBJ7 - Aprons for kids with special needs: Turning a hobby into a business - Gauntlet Alumni MeMe's Fidget Aprons
Hundreds of people with big ideas and limited resources are learning how to build a business from the ground up. One of those innovators in this Gauntlet challenge is a woman from Vinton, with an idea that's close to her heart.
Hundreds of people with big ideas and limited resources are learning how to build a business from the ground up. One of those innovators in this Gauntlet challenge is a woman from Vinton, with an idea that's close to her heart.
What started as hobby for Janice Foster eventually grew into something so much more, a business of her own. She designs what she calls "MeMe's Fidget Aprons". The aprons were originally designed for her two grandchildren with special needs when sensory blankets weren't doing the trick.
"We decided that the lap blanket was not the thing to use and we were going to make it into an apron, so that way it would stay on because that's going to be frustrating if they're trying to fidget and it won't stay on their lap," said Foster.
She quickly realized with her other grandchildren the aprons just weren't for children with special needs.
"I also make them for adults- whether they have dementia, brain injury, anything like that because they have the need to want to fidget, so now I am making them for the youth and adults," said Foster.
Foster says being part of the Gauntlet 2020 class has really given her the confidence and resources to grow her business.
"The whole thing is helpful, it's encouraging, it's incredible the things you learn from the class and they types of businesses people have," said Foster.
At the end of the class, more than $300,000 in awards is are given with additional resources to help businesses soar. Making dreams turn into reality in our hometowns.
Copyright 2020 WDBJ7. All rights reserved.
Original article found here.