Workspace company WeWork announced Tuesday that two San Antonio entrepreneurs have been selected as finalists for the Creator Awards South Regional Final competition.
Selected from a pool of more than 2,000 applicants from the southern U.S., the two locals – alongside about 30 other finalists – will pitch their concept to compete for financial awards at ACL Live on June 27.
WeWork launched the Creator Awards in March, offering $20 million in grants to creators globally. Prize money at the South Regional Final in Austin ranges from $18,000 to $360,000.
The Pink Berets was selected in the “Launch” category for businesses or nonprofits in the $72,000 to $180,000 revenue range. Located in Boerne, the nonprofit startup offers a variety of therapeutic treatments for female veterans, active duty, or first responders who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, or combat trauma stress by providing “a combination of clinical therapy, holistic approaches, 12-step recovery, and experiential modalities,” according to the company’s website.
Hand Made by Beth was chosen in the “Incubate” category for companies with an idea or project in need of funding in the $18,000 to $36,000 range. Beth Taylor developed a new approach to graphing design patterns for crocheters and knitters called The Stickler®? Guide.
Winning a Creator Award would benefit the two area entrepreneurs in several ways.
“A small percentage would go toward the daily expenses – We are currently [self-funded],” said Alex Cisneros, chief strategy officer for The Pink Beret. “The rest would go toward securing our own land. We could then have a permanent space to hold our participant retreats as well as board our horses used in our equine-facilitated learning programs.”
“If I were to win the Creator Award I would use the winnings to fund the launch of college-themed afghan patterns,” Taylor said. “The $36,000 Incubator grant would cover the startup costs for photography, license application fees, and advance royalty payments for the first 40 college patterns … [and my] expenses through the next 15 months, at which point the funds generated from sales should be sufficient to cover all future expenses.”
Subsequent Creator Award events will take place in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
Winners from the Austin pitch competition will receive grants and be invited to compete for additional grants at the final event when the process culminates at the Creator Awards Global Final on Nov. 30 in New York.
