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Demo Day: 11 Startups Present Innovations, Partnership Deals Following Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs Accelerator, powered by TechstarsToday marked the culmination of the third annual Comcast (News - Alert) NBCUniversal LIFT Labs Accelerator, powered by Techstars, with 11 tech startups presenting their companies to hundreds of investors, mentors, and the entrepreneur community during this year's virtual Demo Day. During the 13-week accelerator program, these startups worked virtually due to the global pandemic alongside executives and experts from Comcast NBCUniversal and the Techstars network. These relationships with mentors from across Comcast NBCUniversal's businesses helped the founders sharpen business models, gain valuable connections and insights, and refine pitches to potential investors and clients. During the program, eight of the 11 companies secured or completed pilots, proofs of concepts or deals with Comcast NBCUniversal's partners and brands. Over the course of the accelerator, these startups that are shaping the future of work, personalizing customer experience, and providing platforms to feature a more diverse range of content participated in custom workshops, 1:1 business coaching, and meetings with advisors. The founders hailed from cities around the world, including New York, Toronto, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Dallas, and Birmingham, UK. "Partnering with startups has always helped Comcast stay on the cutting edge of technology and innovation," said Sam Schwartz, Chief Business Development Officer, Comcast. "I'm incredibly proud of these entrepreneurs, and our team, for their perseverance and commitment to innovation, especially during these unprecedented times. The global pandemic has led to shifts in how we work and connect, and many of these founders are building the tools and services that will make work - and life - more efficient, interactive, and collaborative." The startups were supported by the Startup Engagement LIFT Labs team, led by Danielle Cohn, Vice President, and Luke Butler, Senior Director, who worked side-by-side with Techstars veteran, KJ Singh, Managing Director of the 2020 accelerator. Mentors included experts and leaders from across Comcast NBCUniversal's businesses, including the Xfinity technology, product and experience teams; the NBC and Telemundo broadcast stations; NBCUniversal cable networks; Universal Studios; Universal Theme Parks; DreamWorks Animation; Comcast Business; Comcast Ventures; Strategic Development; as well as mentors from Techstars' expansive network. Since the first class in 2018, 32 companies have completed the Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs Accelerator, powered by Techstars, and 75% have secured pilots or deals with a division or business unit of Comcast NBCUniversal. Meet the 2020 class of the Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs Accelerator, powered by Techstars:
AfroLandTV, Dallas, TX
Beam Health Group, New York, NY
Cast, San Francisco, CA (News - Alert)
Covatic, Birmingham, UK
Glow Up Games, Brooklyn, NY
Introvoke, San Francisco, CA
Kidas, Philadelphia, PA
Percepta, Philadelphia, PA
Seshie, Philadelphia, PA
Showcase, New York City, NY
WorkChew, Washington D.C.
For more information on the companies in this year's accelerator go to Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States' largest high-speed internet, video, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. About Techstars The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas-entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now we are on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, we do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities. Techstars has invested in more than 2,200 companies that today have a combined market cap valuation of $30 Billion. www.techstars.com
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