Gallaudet University and Village Capital helped startups prepare to approach investors during the spring semester, culminating in an April pitch night where a startup developing a transparent surgical mask won $15,000.

Over 13 weeks, the program offered guidance to eight startups founded by deaf and hard of hearing entrepreneurs from the university and D.C. community, said Village Capital Marketing Manager Ben Wrobel.

The Gallaudet Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute partnered with the D.C.–based VC firm and received support from the Sorenson Impact Center to launch the program. It featured a series of workshops and mentorship from deaf and hard of hearing entrepreneurs, with Village Capital alumnus Jim Atwater, CEO of InReturn Strategies, serving as the facilitator. Village Capital teamed with Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Director Ryan Maliszewski and Program Coordinator Keith Doane.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE