Dartmouth Consumer Startup Accelerator Culminates with Final Pitches in Seattle
The innovative Magnuson Center program supports alumni founders in consumer-facing industries
The Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship recently concluded the first nationwide cohort of its Dartmouth Alumni Consumer Startup Accelerator (DACSA) with a high-energy pitch contest and networking events in Seattle. Designed to address a critical gap in startup support for consumer-focused businesses, DACSA connects Dartmouth alumni entrepreneurs with industry experts and provides mentorship, pitch workshops, and an opportunity to compete for a $5,000 prize.
Empowering Consumer-Facing Entrepreneurs
While many accelerators focus on tech and healthcare startups, DACSA uniquely prioritizes consumer-facing industries such as food, fashion, and wellness. The program was launched by the Magnuson Center in collaboration with Seattle alumni Bryan Alston ’11 and Steve Hooper TU’11, who recognized the lack of tailored resources for consumer startups.
“As consultants and entrepreneurs, we’ve seen too many promising consumer businesses stumble due to gaps in early-stage support,” Alston said. Hooper, who founded the fast-casual restaurant chain Kigo Kitchen, added, “Entrepreneurship takes many forms, and consumer startups deserve the same attention and resources as other industries.”
In response to this lack of resources for consumer businesses, DACSA was born—making it the first known program of its kind launched nationally within the Ivy League.
“The Dartmouth Alumni Consumer Startup Accelerator connects founders with industry experts in marketing, finance, product development, and more to help startups move from 0 to 1 and beyond,” said Kari Chen, the West Coast program manager for the Magnuson Center.
“While there are substantial resources for founders of traditional tech and healthcare startups, there’s been relatively little focus put on the founders in spaces such as food, beverage, fashion, or wellness,” Chen said.
Over the eight-week program, participants engaged in workshops covering everything from product development to financial modeling. They received invaluable mentorship from alumni leaders with marketing, business strategy, and growth expertise.
2024 Winner: Alice Kim ’02 and PerfectDD
This year’s $5,000 prize was awarded to Alice Kim ’02, founder of PerfectDD, a clothing brand that designs stylish, functional garments for women with larger busts. Alice’s pitch resonated with the judges and audience alike as she shared her vision to address a long-standing gap in women’s fashion.
PerfectDD’s line, which includes versatile pieces like hoodies and dresses, prioritizes sustainable fabrics and ethical production practices.
Alice has already achieved notable success, with her white button-down shirt earning the Oprah Daily Editor’s Choice Award for 2024, and it was recently seen on The Today Show when worn by host Jenna Bush Hager. Viral social media moments have driven six-figure revenues—without paid advertising—showing both the demand for her designs and her ability to connect with her audience.
Alice also stands out for her innovation. She holds two patents for fit solutions that address issues like button gapping, with plans to license these designs to other manufacturers, further solidifying her impact on inclusive fashion.
Final Pitches: Six Startups Take the Stage
The Seattle finale featured six diverse alumni-led startups:
- Josh Foods: Founder Josh Wang ’15 and his wife Diksha Gautham ’15 created a high-protein roti for fitness-focused South Asian communities seeking culturally familiar, protein-rich options.
- Paradis Sport: Founder Sarah Weihman ’97 and COO Abigail Adams ’06 head up this high-performance women’s underwear designed and tested by athletes, including Olympic medalist Ariana Ramsey ’22.
- Pulse Foods: Founder Brennon Costello TH’15 introduced a minimally processed plant-based meat alternative called Tempeh N’oa with the texture of popular mainstream products.
- ReCultivate: Founder Heidi Hough GR’19 created this proprietary support program for survivors of cults and narcissistic abuse based on her experience escaping the cult into which she was born.
- Tahmina Tea: The founder (who wishes to remain anonymous) runs this social enterprise supporting Afghan women and former opium farmers by producing saffron teas.
A Power Panel of Judges
The final pitch contest took place at Armoire, a fashion-forward women’s clothing rental company headquartered in South Seattle, with a panel of distinguished judges, including:
- Emily Arons ’85, Founder, Spero Productions LLC and GameQbator Labs Inc.
- Gabriel Schlumberger ’96, Managing Director of the USC & Techstars Startup Accelerator
- Ambika Singh 07, Founder and Chief Bosslady at Armoire
The judges evaluated the finalists based on their business models, market potential, and presentation, providing feedback and valuable insights for the DACSA finalists.
Gabriel Schlumberger ’96
Managing Director of the USC & Techstars Startup Accelerator
Ambika Singh ’07
Founder and Chief Bosslady at Armoire
Emily Arons ’85
Founder, Spero Productions LLC and GameQbator Labs Inc.
Spotlight on Alumni Success
Last year’s winner of the beta cohort, Emma Xin Velicky ’20, showcased the program’s transformative impact with SaturdayBox, a playful subscription box for couples. Emma pivoted from her original concept of petite-friendly office furniture after program mentors helped her identify a more viable and passion-driven idea. Her success highlights DACSA’s ability to guide entrepreneurs through critical decision-making stages and market readiness.
“Winning the pitch after my pivot gave me the confidence to go all-in,” Emma said.
Learn More and Get Involved
The Dartmouth Alumni Consumer Startup Accelerator continues to expand opportunities for alumni founders in consumer spaces. To learn more about DACSA and other Magnuson Center offerings, visit the Magnuson Center’s website.