Six Peoria-area startups have been selected for incubator program
Peoria business incubator Distillery Labs has announced its next cohort of fledgling businesses to join its gBETA program. Lux Blox, Palzaar, Shothawk, SWYCH Box, TerraVate Energy and Tranzme were announced as the businesses that will participate in Distillery Labs' gBETA program which is a “sevenweek, no-equity accelerator program that provides startup founders with intensive concierge coaching and access to its national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors,” according to Distillery Labs.
“Every gBETA Distillery Labs cohort is yet another example of how talented, passionate, driven and diverse our startups and startup founders are here in the Peoria region,” Doug Cruitt, the executive director of Distillery Labs said in a news release. “Now that we are mere months away from opening our doors at the new Distillery Labs building downtown, we will have a physical space to continue to serve and support not just these 6 amazing startups, but hundreds of more founders in the years to come.”
Here's what each business does:
Lux Blox
Lux Blox is a toy company that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics learning.
It was founded by Galesburg residents Mike and Heather Acerra.
“Lux Blox isn't your average building toy. Drawing cues from the natural world, it embodies motion and adaptability. Its patented moving linkages offer a revolutionary way to simulate free-form motion, igniting imagination across multiple subjects and disciplines,” the Lux Blox website says of its product.
Palzaar
Palzaar is an e-commerce company that utilizes AI to help resellers catalog their products.
“Palzaar provides the reseller with a one stop supply to fulfillment service for your business while keeping your sales activity flowing,” Distillery Labs said in a release.
Palzaar is helmed by Peorians Julian Washington, Hosea Washington and Angela Washington.
SWYCH Box
SWYCH Box is an electric vehicle charging solutions company founded by Peorians Temitope Akinlua and Chase Brower.
“SWYCH Box revolutionizes your EV charging experience by providing the resources you need to service your vehicle,” Distillery Labs said in a release. “No more wasted time waiting around while charging – SWYCH Box unlocks your productivity and challenges you to seize every moment efficiently.”
ShotHawk
ShotHawk is an AI tool designed to provide safety before first responders arrive during an active shooter situation. It was founded by Bradley University students Brandon Johnson, Nate Grove, Ohm Vyas, Justin Fitzpatrick and Graci Graves.
“ShotHawk responds before first responders in active shooting situations, by providing a swift and immediate response until safety officials are able to arrive on scene. ShotHawk does this through an active shooter response system that will utilize machine learning to identify, deploy pepper gel, and contain the active assailant until police arrive,” Distillery Labs said in a news release.
TerraVate Energy
An ag-based company, TerraVate Energy helps make the job of cattle farmers easier.
“TerraVate Energy supports smallscale cattle farmers (herd sizes 50-350) in generating more value through its manure management system. TerraVate Energy develops affordable small-scale anaerobic digesters, which convert the animal waste into energy and nutrientrich fertilizer,” Distillery Labs said in a release.
It was founded by Aman Mehta and Taly Escamilla.
Tranzme
Tranzme is a transportation company geared toward driving seniors and youth.
“Tranzme connects children and seniors, with our qualified, caring and trustworthy drivers who will safely transport them to their requested destination,” Distillery Labs said in a news release. “Tranzme drivers have been thoroughly vetted and trained to work with our unique population. Tranzme conveniently schedules transportation via an app that allows the user to track the rider.”
Tranzme founders are Sheree Pannell, Richard Owusu Sika and Marilyn Giles.