STARTL'g NEWS: Startl is back in the edtech startup business. In conjunction with DreamIt Ventures, Startl will offer mentorships to three worthy edtech startups this spring. Applications are due here on March 15.
Startl had an early jump on the business of supporting edtech startups, debuting in 2011 with meetings and funding nine startups with support from its sponsors (which included the MacArthur, Hewlett, Gates, Lumina and Kellogg foundations). But the organization dropped out of sight as its three co-founders parted ways: Diana Rhoten joined News Corp.'s Amplify as Chief Strategy Officer; Phoenix Wang joined the William Penn Foundation this past summer but has since left.
Co-founder Laurie Racine, however, looked at the group's first picks and liked what she saw: about half are prospering, including startups Hoot.me, LearnBop, MindSnacks and ShowMe. That's led her back to the action: teaming with DreamIt Ventures, Racine aims to mentor three edtech startups this spring. Applications are due by March 15 and the program will run from mid May through mid August. The companies will work from New York City. They'll get stipends depending on the number of founders (up to $25K) along with mentoring from Racine, DreamIT and a cast of industry experts, lawyers accountants and such. Startl and DreamIT will take a 6% equity slice in return. Startups that raise additional funds may be eligible for matching investments from DreamIT. Get more Startl'ing details about the accelerator program here. And apply here.
