About 25 years ago, Sara Lynn Farnsworth was involved in a rock climbing accident at the age of 16 that left her with a severe spinal cord injury. Initially, it seemed like she would be paralyzed from the chest down. However, through years of intensive rehabilitation, she defied the odds and eventually learned to walk with the assistance of a cane. Despite this incredible progress, about five years ago, Farnsworth realized that she needed a more efficient way to manage long distances. She needed a lightweight, small, and fast mobility electric scooter that could easily fit in a vehicle. “I needed something that didn’t exist,” she recalls.
Last year, Farnsworth discovered a new opportunity that would change the trajectory of her life. She learned about Venture Labs, a four-week pre-accelerator program for entrepreneurs with disabilities who have ideas for tech-driven startups. This program was initiated by 2Gether-International, a startup accelerator for founders with disabilities, in collaboration with JPMorganChase. Farnsworth applied and was accepted into the program, with hopes of eventually entering a more advanced accelerator program for startups in a more mature stage of development.
Venture Labs recently launched its first full-fledged pre-accelerator program with approximately 30 entrepreneurs. Santiago Garcia Mendez, the community manager for Venture Labs and a serial entrepreneur with personal connections to disabilities, emphasized the program’s mission to change the narrative surrounding disabled individuals in the business world while fostering a supportive community for these entrepreneurs.
The focus of Venture Labs is on nurturing ideas and providing early-stage support to entrepreneurs with disabilities. Recognizing the lack of funding opportunities for this demographic, the founders of 2Gether-International saw the need for a program that targeted individuals at an earlier stage of their entrepreneurial journey. The four-week program offers a self-paced curriculum through video modules covering essential topics like identifying target markets and crafting problem statements. Group sessions, guest speakers, and mentorship opportunities further enhance the learning experience for participants.
One of the key objectives of Venture Labs is to combat the isolation often experienced by entrepreneurs, particularly those with disabilities. Mendez highlights the importance of building a sense of community through virtual coffee chats and networking opportunities. The program culminates in a pitch competition, providing participants with a taste of the pitching process and valuable feedback on their ideas.
Looking ahead, 2Gether-International plans to expand its pre-accelerator and accelerator programs to Latin America in the coming years, furthering its mission to empower entrepreneurs with disabilities globally.
As for Farnsworth, she envisions her company, Platypus Mobility Scooters, catering to customers with disabilities and individuals seeking convenient transportation solutions for long distances. She aims to address challenges related to manufacturing and distribution while making her innovative scooters accessible to a wider audience. Through programs like Venture Labs, entrepreneurs like Farnsworth are given the tools and support needed to turn their ideas into successful ventures, ultimately reshaping the landscape of entrepreneurship for individuals with disabilities.
