The inaugural cohort of SPARK Savannah, an elite and intensive accelerator program provided by Startup Savannah, has completed the 12-week course. Startup Savannah is proud to report a 100% graduation rate, with all 15 participants completing the SPARK program.

SPARK Savannah’s in-person classes were hosted at the Deloitte Foundry - SCAD’s cutting-edge design, research, and innovation studio. The participating entrepreneurs completed business plans via the Kauffman FastTrac curriculum, and learned in the classroom from Savannah’s finest business experts, covering topics ranging from pricing strategy to modern marketing, from intellectual property to financial modeling. The SPARK program also included a Business Development Grant awarded to the top three founders, based on a rubric that considered business plan completion, attendance of community networking opportunities, taking advantage of 1:1 mentoring, and crafting a next-level business pitch.

“SPARK Savannah has shown that innovation thrives where collaboration meets opportunity,” says Nick Palumbo, Executive Director of Startup Savannah. “This cohort is ready to take on the world, and represents some of the finest emerging small businesses we’ve ever witnessed in our community - a reflection of their remarkable hard work and dedication to this accelerator. Startup Savannah is incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved, and how high they have set the bar for the next generation of entrepreneurs in our community.”

The SPARK Savannah graduates represent an exciting cross-section of the Savannah small business and startup community. With early-stage and idea-stage businesses ranging from public speaking coaching to eco-friendly candles, from community cold plunges to alternative airplane storage, these entrepreneurs represent the energy and innovation happening across a range of industries right here in Savannah.

The graduates are:
Nyna Kumi Butler
Amy Paige Condon
Hannah Eyre
Dr. SallyAnn Gray
Richard Griffin
Dora Jenkins
Nicole Lee
Ted Meyer
Denae Murray
Ja’Quan Oliver
Dwanjai Owens
Lydia Stearns
Jah'Va Walker
Ethan Watters
Sapphire Starr Wilder