Startup Savannah, the nonprofit hub guiding the area's technology, creative and small businesses, announced that the second cohort of SPARK Savannah, its intensive 12-week accelerator, has completed the program with a 100% graduation rate. All 16 participants finished the course.

SPARK Savannah’s in-person classes were held at the Deloitte Foundry, which is the Savannah College of Art and Design’s cutting-edge design, research and innovation studio. Participants completed business plans using the Kauffman FastTrac curriculum and learned from local experts on topics ranging from pricing strategy and marketing to intellectual property and financial modeling. The program also awarded a Business Development Grant to the top three founders, scored on a rubric covering business plan completion, pitch development, attendance at community networking events and one-on-one mentoring sessions.

“These 16 founders didn’t just finish a program; they built real businesses from the ground up over 12 demanding weeks,” said Nick Palumbo, Executive Director of Startup Savannah. “From aviation detailing to breathwork to technology, they reflect exactly the kind of grit and creativity that makes Savannah’s entrepreneurial community special. Congratulations to our top performers, Trinity Babe, Matthew Clark and Cedric Collins, and to every graduate who showed up and put in the work. They’ve set a high bar for what comes next.”

The graduates represent a cross-section of the city's small business and startup community, with ventures spanning cognitive wellness coaching, enterprise technology, cold-pressed juices, social media strategy, public relations and sustainable retail.

Below is a list of the SPARK Savannah spring cohort graduates:

• Trinity Babe – Kindred Cognition
• Chase Barber – Savannah Breath Reset
• Matthew Clark – Connect Social
• Cedric Collins – Soar Aviation Detailing
• Anaury Guzman – PureBlend
• Elisabeth James – The Pivotier
• Marianne Kumanayake – Shortart Co.
• Ilana Labourene – Sparklight Coaching
• Austin Ofokansi – Anando Remodel Services
• Mark Reavis – Tech Relief
• Claudette Schomburg – Innovation Square
• Angelita Scott – Culturwell
• Brandy Simpkins – Brandywine Public Relations
• Shante Smith – Get Lit
• Ke'Shawn Spellman – Snatch Thrift
• Mathew Zannoni – ZannoTech

The next SPARK Savannah cohort is being selected from a competitive applicant pool and will launch later in June. For more information about this Startup Savannah program, visit www.startupsavannah.org/programs.