Auxilium announces first group of Innovation Studio participants, inks partnership with Venture Forum

An open floor office space — Auxilium is located at 311 Main St. in Downtown Worcester. PHOTO COURTESY OF AUXILIUM

Each of the five participating startups will receive milestone-based funding of up to $100,000, among other support.

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Auxilium, a Worcester-based startup hub looking to boost entrepreneurs in Central Massachusetts, has named its first group of founders participating in its Innovation Studio and formed a partnership with another Worcester-based, entrepreneur-focused nonprofit. Each of the five participating startups will receive milestone-based funding of up to $100,000, along with access to coworking space, personalized mentorship, and additional business support, according to a Tuesday press release from Auxilium. The five participating startups are:

Basifly, a firm started by former longtime Dell EMC employee Mike Mitchell, which seeks to create a platform where air travelers can connect with each other to coordinate private flights.
Pointshot, a company founded by hockey goaltending coach Nick D’Errico aiming to connect athletes with expert coaches through an online platform.
Legacy Heirloom, a business started by MassTech Program Director Megan Marszalek seeking to modernize the estate-planning process through a platform helping families catalog meaningful belongings.
CollegeROI, a startup initiated by Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduate Nick Gronda which aims to create a platform helping families compare the costs and long-term returns of college.
EPIGO, a firm started by Linda Waller looking to launch a compact injector which can deliver lifesaving care for those with severe allergies.

“Early-stage founders often face a critical gap, they have promising ideas, but they need a runway, structure, and community to turn those ideas into viable companies,” ZacharyDutton, executive director of Auxilium, said in the press release. “With the Innovation Studio, we have designed a program that gives entrepreneurs the time, resources, and network they need to focus, iterate, and grow and we’re inviting founders near and far to bring their vision here.” To help facilitate the rollout of Auxilium’s Innovation Studio, the organization is teaming up with The Venture Forum, another Worcester-based organization looking to grow the area’s startup scene. The Venture Forum will assist in developing workshops and mentorship framework. “The collaboration between Auxilium and The Venture Forum shows how our entrepreneurial ecosystem can come together to support founders,” Greg Dalle-Molle, executive director of The Venture Forum, said in the press release. “By combining our networks and expertise, we are creating a seamless continuum of support, from early exploration and validation at TheVenture Forum to structured, milestone-based growth at Auxilium. It’s exactly the kind of compatibility that allows startups to take the next step with confidence as they scale.” Dutton was previously the leader of The Venture Forum before he joined Auxilium, with Dalle-Molle taking over Dutton’s previous role at The Venture Forum in May. Auxilium’s launch was announced in January. In the time since, the accelerator has signed a partnership with a similar group in Rhode Island and launched a spin-off entrepreneurship hub at Quinsigamond Community College. The startup hub named the first cohort participating in its three-month accelerator program, a different program than its Innovation Studio, in June. Auxilium is an initiative of Rucker Investments, the owner of the Worcester Railers and Palladium, among other businesses. Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.

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