Five companies graduated from the Cherokee Women Accelerator, a program designed to expand access to Cherokee women entrepreneurs, and received a $10,000 grant.
The Cherokee Nation, along with The University of Tulsa’s Collins College of Business, and StitchCrew announced the winners last week.
Five Cherokee, women-owned companies were selected from a pool of more than 130 applicants from across the country, to participate in an intensive six-week program where selected participants explored growth principles, assessed capital needs and improved their business model to facilitate scale.
“Native American women often face a unique set of challenges within the business community, including systematic disparities, harmful and inaccurate stereotypes, discrimination and lack of resources” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., in a news release.
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“I believe the Cherokee Nation has an obligation to support Native American women in pursuing their ambitions of creating, refining and growing businesses of their own. Through partnerships and programs such as this, that help Cherokee women overcome those obstacles and achieve their dreams, we are honoring that obligation and furthering Cherokee Nation and Oklahoma’s success.”
The five companies in the Cherokee Women Inaugural Cohort include:
Because I’m A Nurse, a future of work company tackling the nurse labor shortage crisis by helping nursing education organizations address the 74% failure rate in nursing students’ dosage calculation exams so they can improve graduation rates. Founded by LaToya Smith.
ClaimRev, a claims processing and tribal mobile health company, decreasing claim denials, boosting operational efficiency, and maximizing reimbursements for customers through its proprietary custom rules engine. Founded by Amber Sharp.
Jobworx, a future of work company reinventing the way employers and job seekers connect through its talent recruitment platform which matches job seekers and employers in the hourly job market with just a swipe. Founded by Andrea Roten.
Motor Mouth Therapy, a care economy company providing families, educators and caregivers on-site therapy services, so they can focus on helping children reach their goals at home, school or daycare. Founded by Caitlin Bruder and Kasee Way.
Provision Pantry, a food service company providing meal preparation, juicing and full service catering services to the entertainment industry, large corporations and government agencies. Founded by Amber Behrens.
The program, made possible in large part by The University of Tulsa Collins College of Business, as well as The Cherokee Nation — who provided a $10,000 grant to each participant — also received support from Bank of the West, Google, the Oklahoma City Thunder and VEST Her Ventures.
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