Celebrating 25 Editions of Startup Runway: A Journey of Entrepreneurial Success through Improved Access

We invite you to join us on May 30 for our milestone 25th Edition of Startup Runway at Tech Square ATL. We look forward to an exciting evening celebrating entrepreneurial ingenuity and innovation as leading startup founders from across the Southeast will compete for $30,000 in non-dilutive capital, setting the stage for groundbreaking ventures to take flight.

As we celebrate this milestone, we’d like to recognize some of the most notable finalists from the past 24 editions of Startup Runway who have played a pivotal role in shaping Startup Runway’s journey. These trailblazers have not only achieved remarkable success but have also inspired countless others in the startup ecosystem.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate these five outstanding founders, all former Startup Runway finalists, and the incredible milestones they’ve reached:

• Farah Allen, TheLabz (Edition 5, 2018) – Raised $7.6M Farah Allen’s TheLabz is revolutionizing collaborative content creation, providing a secure platform that has garnered significant investment and industry attention.
• Damola Ogundipe, Civic Eagle (now Plural) (Edition 5, 2018) – Raised $12.9M Damola Ogundipe’s Civic Eagle, now known as Plural, leverages technology to improve civic engagement and policy management, securing substantial funding and transforming the public sector.
• Christian Zimmerman, Qoins (Edition 2, 2017) – Raised $4.6M. Christian Zimmerman founded Qoins to help people pay off debt faster using spare change and automated payments, making a significant impact on financial wellness.
• Jessica Thurmond, Athelo Health (Edition 12, 2021) – Raised $5M Jessica Thurmond’s Athelo Health offers innovative solutions in health tech, focusing on improving patient outcomes and experiences, backed by impressive investment.
• Kristin Dunning, Gently Soap (Edition 19, 2023) – Kristin Dunning’s Gently Soap provides all-natural skincare products, promoting wellness and sustainability with a growing market presence and dedicated customer base. Kristin was able to strike a deal on Shark Tank last year (watch a short clip here!).

Kristin Dunning, Founder of Gently Soap, was one of the winning founders at Startup Runway Edition 18.

Collectively, past finalists have raised a whopping $100 million through Startup Runway’s program, underscoring the transformative impact of our platform on the startup landscape.

We invite you to be a part of this momentous occasion by celebrating the outstanding Startup Runway finalists of the past, present, and future. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or simply passionate about innovation in the Southeast, we’d love for you to join us. Let’s celebrate closing the funding gap for underrepresented founders and pave the way for the next generation of diverse startup success! 

Register here to attend. 

Relive the excitement from our last showcase here.

Watch the Recap Video from our 24th Pitch Showcase: