OKC's Idea Accelerator launches second cohort; more innovative ideas await

A program designed to help stimulate individuals in the heartland of America to begin thinking more like entrepreneurs in order to help solve everyday problems within their communities recently celebrated its first cohort of “builders” in Oklahoma City and has now started its second, summer cohort to generate even more innovative ideas.

The Idea Accelerator, developed by Builders + Backers and sponsored by Bentonville, Ark.-based nonprofit Heartland Forward and national sponsor Accenture, was first introduced to Oklahoma City last fall through a partnership between the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and the Inasmuch Foundation. The Idea Accelerator is the main pillar for the Builders + Backers’ groundbreaking Community Growth Program and Tool Kit.

Over the course of 90 days, builders of that first cohort participated in a bootcamp to teach them how to put their ideas into action. They also learned how to execute their ideas through a single experiment with the goal of eventually launching a business. Heartland Forward provided $5,000 Pebble grants to each of the builders to test their ideas.

A few of the ideas that came out of that first cohort included an online app that allows shoppers to place their purchases from various online retailers into one cart; the creation of a digital platform that allows landowners to list their property for use by private landowners; and a business that refills candles to reduce waste.

The second cohort, which kicked off June 16, will also feature several creative and innovative ideas that could someday turn into successful businesses:

• A software solution optimizing airport operations.
• Telemedicine for treating musculoskeletal injuries.
• A training program for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) political campaign staff.
• A software solution optimizing water usage by
  farmers.
• An app that promotes seamless search and visibility
  across social media platforms.
• A software solution helping parents choose the right
  video game console for their children.
• An app increasing the sales capacity for home-based
  bakery businesses.
• Testing a healthier alternative to sugar.
• A suite of tools to learn about hair products.
• Unique party supplies for everyday occasions.

“Our goal is to be able to bring a whole new group of people into entrepreneurship, teach them that they can run experiments and start seeing ideas come out of our program, but also see people in our cities who have the wherewithal to go launch their own businesses based on their ideas,” said James Atkin, head of public engagement and communities for Builders + Backers.

The Community Growth Program and Toolkit were first piloted in Tulsa, Okla., and Oxford, Miss., and have now expanded into other cities across the Midwest. Many of the builders selected for the program are women and people of color.

“We’re excited about the fact that we’re seeing high numbers of women and people of color in the program. That’s not an intentional goal, but it’s a reflection of the large surge of applications we’re getting from every corner of the community,” Atkin said.

The cohorts in Oklahoma City are part of Heartland Forward’s commitment to funding and supporting 1,000 builders across the heartland by 2023.

This story originally appeared in the July 2022 edition of the VeloCity newsletter.