• University Beyond

  Led · Seed · Oct 2014

  University Beyond operates a platform that connects brands with college students interested in brand-ambassador programs. It uses a nationwide job board to recruit students and a back-end dashboard that lets brands assign and monitor tasks, run live chat and videoconference, and handle payments. Students access ambassador jobs, view assignments, get paid, and can download an auto-generated resume and a certificate of completion. The service is free for students and brands through 2014, after which brands will pay a flat monthly fee (amount undisclosed). The company was founded by Doug Messer and Brendan Weinstein out of their experience building a watch company and a campus events brand, and faces competition from services like CampusLive. Financially, University Beyond has raised $300,000 in seed funding led by Innovation Garden with participation from two unnamed angel investors.

• Hulafrog

  Led · Seed · Jul 2013

  Hulafrog operates a network of hyperlocal web guides for suburban parents, combining a daily event calendar with a parent-rated business directory. The service is available via web, mobile and email and is live in 28 suburban markets. It helps parents find events and businesses for kids such as parades, puppet shows, music lessons, karate studios, birthday venues, fairs, and kid-friendly restaurants. The company sells advertising to local businesses and national brands including Mathnasium, Bounce U and Gymboree, and shares revenue with the publishers who run each market. Hulafrog was founded in 2010 by Sherry Lombardi and Kerry Bowbliss and is based in Atlantic Highlands, NJ. The company intends to use the new capital to broaden its product offering and grow its national presence.

No current team members are available.