Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator president Chris Pressey speaks to guests, coworkers, and members of the media during a Thank You event Friday. PHOTO BY NICK BRANCACCIO/Windsor Star
Trevor Wilhelm - The Windsor Star
The Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator unveiled a wall dedicated to donors, mentors and investors Friday during a ceremony thanking supporters.
“It has been an incredible journey and we would not be here without the support and belief of our members, graduates, investors, mentors, volunteers and organizational partners,” said CEO Arthur Barbut.
The Accelerator, a collaborative “co-working space” that helps grow start-ups and emerging businesses with on-site training and mentoring programs, opened in 2011. Companies can even choose and design their space in the building, select the furniture and choose the look and feel.
MP Irek Kusmierczyk (L — Windsor-Tecumseh), a former employee at the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator, addresses former co-workers, area business people, residents and other political leaders at the accelerator’s Thank You event Friday. PHOTO BY NICK BRANCACCIO /Windsor Star
Several local MPs, city councillors, investors and mentors were on hand for Friday’s event, which was streamed on social media. The CookUp food business incubator also officially opened on Friday, and several other new companies were “welcomed to the Accelerator family.”
The donor wall shows off the names of more than 200 people who have supported the Accelerator over the last nine years. The organization’s website will also list the names of donors, mentors, volunteers and investors.
Barbut said the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator has worked with 120 companies so far, with that number expected to triple in the next four years.