AUA Private Equity Partners has selected its 2017 Class of AUAccelerate, the firm’s accelerator programme formed in March 2016 in partnership with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which advises and mentors emerging minority or woman-owned businesses in the US.
This year’s class, the programme’s second, will include Nut Burgers, Chapin Coffee, and del Carmen Foods.
AUA Private Equity will leverage its resources, expertise, executives, and network of advisers to provide advisory services and technical expertise tailored to the needs of each company.
AUA Private Equity, which invests in the Hispanic market as a targeted strategy, sees a lack of resources and support for minority-owned businesses.
Andy Unanue, managing partner of AUA Private Equity, says: “Given our focus on the Hispanic community, we see AUAccelerate as a way of supporting entrepreneurs in an underserved segment as part of our commitment to social responsibility.”
AUAccelerate was created to offer assistance with the development of business plans, budgets, sales and distribution, as well as marketing and branding, among other functions. AUAccelerate worked with Felix’s Famous Cookies, a member of the 2016 Class, to prepare for the FDA’s visit to their new facility, upgrade its budgeting process, develop an employee handbook, and refine its go-to-market strategy. The programme’s goal is to leverage these experiences to "accelerate" three to five companies per year, through mentorship and access to AUA Private Equity’s resources and network.
Steven Flyer, partner of AUA Private Equity, adds: "We are excited to welcome our new class of companies to the AUAccelerate programme, and to support these entrepreneurs in reaching their visions of success while simultaneously expanding this initiative.”
