Female founders took the stage at Sony Electronics on July 11 to celebrate the completion of their 12-week business accelerator program led by Stella Labs. Courtesy of Bailey Made.

Twenty-three female founders celebrated the completion of their 12-week business accelerator program led by Stella Labs. During the July 11 Female Founder Demo Night event held at Sony Electronics in Rancho Bernardo, the startup leaders presented enriched business plans to 150 fellow entrepreneurs, prospective investors, startup mentors and friends. The event was co-hosted by Sony Electronics.

“With the guidance and support of 80 startup mentors over 12 weeks, these determined founders have strengthened their companies and are prepared for a new stage of growth,” said Briana Weisinger, interim director of Stella Labs, formerly Hera Labs.

The 23 new graduates include:

  • Cynthia Morgan-Reed of Vanst Law: a virtual law firm that offers rates at up to 70 percent less than a traditional law firm. Attorneys make 70 percent of what they collect.
  • Judith Balian of AlphaVibe: A bracelet Balian calls “the Fitbit for your mind” that uses gentle vibration and light to help one be mindful throughout the day.
  • Naomi Wentworth of The Compost Company: A composting hub and more that uses small-scale digesters to compost food quickly.
  • Angie Kosasih of Spoke & Piston: Function-meets-fashion leather commuter bags and accessories created by a husband and wife team.
  • Suzanne Finder of Forgive.Love.Heal: An online membership community that provides support to women who struggle with autoimmune disease and chronic illness.
  • Teresa Gallagher of Sparrow Search: A technology company that efficiently connects patients with clinical trials.
  • Sarabeth Sulio of Mobile Pro Traveler: An all-in-one, carry-all mobile beauty and massage system for estheticians and therapists on the go.
  • Neeve Preston of A-List Lounge: A performance, molecular hydration and wellness lounge on a mission to reduce stress and its associated physical ailments.
  • Dondi Rowey of P.I. Enriched Livingspaces: A company with plans to build sustainable, affordable housing solutions for women.
  • Adriana Hernandez of Adher Financial: A 15-year-old money assessment and financial guidance company that’s relaunching to serve women over 50.
  • Erica Livingston of Regulytica: Purpose-built software with its sights set on digitally revolutionizing the medical device industry.
  • Sabine Gedeon of Empowered by Purpose: A transformational human resource coaching and consulting firm for individuals and organizations.
  • Catalina Andrade of Whole Bella: A holistic emotional healing company that helps people lead the lives they want to live.
  • Terri Lowry of Thallo Design: A design and branding studio that helps businesses reflect their best values through branding.
  • Rosa Munoz of South Bay Wealth Group: A tax and accounting firm that helps clients build profitable businesses.
  • Eyga Mojus of Miss Mojus Productions: Producers of the annual Miss Grand California Pageant and more.
  • Charlene Corn of CeeCee & Bee Apothecary: Handcrafted apothecary goods made from plant-based ingredients. A portion of each purchase supports domestic violence survivors.
  • Rachel Chie Costello of BonnaVita Ventures: Waste-to-Energy equipment that is manufactured for municipalities and utilities to recycle and turn waste into energy.
  • Jodi Valdes of Spiritual Wake Up Call: A consulting firm that provides professional women with tools for reducing stress and anxiety so they can achieve greater work-life balance.
  • Kristin Watkins of Stephanie Rose Events: An event planner focused on weddings and specializing in DYI.
  • Angela Robinson-Spencer of Affordable Housing Compliance Group: A housing compliance audit service, plus landlord-tenant mediation.
  • Jessica Bell of reVessel: An all-in-one hybrid of premium stainless steel food storage, bakeware and a travel-ready, patent-pending, leak-proof bento-style lunchbox.
  • Lacey Mayer of SD Campervans: A home on wheels which includes a bed, kitchen, plumbing, solar, electrical, a dining area and a homey feel.

Stella Labs is a not-for-profit organization that provides business accelerator programs to female-led startups that want to launch or scale. Courses are offered in partnership with the San Diego and Imperial Women’s Business Center in National City and at the Stella Labs headquarters in Solana Beach. To date, Stella Labs has helped launch 146 startups, scale 223 businesses and create 128 new jobs.

Upcoming Stella Labs events include Women’s Fast Pitch 2019, to take place at Sony Electronics later this summer, and Women’s Venture Summit, to take place on September 14 at University of San Diego. To learn more, visit stellalabs.org.