Eleven Tech Founders Unveil Startups Following Comcast NBCUniversal Lift Labs Accelerator, Powered by Techstars

Eleven tech startups from around the world that are building innovative connectivity, media, and entertainment technologies pitched their companies to hundreds of investors, mentors, and Philadelphia’s tech and startup community on Thursday during Demo Day, which marked the finale of the second class of the Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs Accelerator, powered by Techstars.

The 13-week accelerator featured 11 companies that worked with more than 75 mentors across Comcast NBCUniversal, including the Xfinity technology, product and experience teams, NBC and Telemundo broadcast stations, NBC Sports, NBCUniversal cable networks, Universal Studios, Universal Theme Parks, DreamWorks Animation, Comcast Business, Comcast Ventures, and Strategic Development. For the first time this year, Sky also had mentors in the program. Comcast NBCUniversal mentors joined an esteemed Techstars community of mentors with deep industry, investment, and entrepreneurship experience.

During Demo Day, eight of the 11 companies announced that they either completed or are working on proofs of concepts or pilot projects with Comcast NBCUniversal as a result the accelerator. Additionally, one company, NICKL, decided to relocate to make Philadelphia its new headquarters.

Throughout the accelerator, the diverse set of founders – of which more than half are women or people of color – benefitted from talks with other successful entrepreneurs, media training, pitch practice in front of producers from CNBC, and hundreds of business development meetings.

“It has been such a fantastic experience for all of the Comcast NBCUniversal mentors to work side-by-side with these dynamic companies to help them grow and launch their businesses,” said Sam Schwartz, Chief Business Development Officer, Comcast Cable. “The Founders of these promising startups have an incredible passion and drive, and we are so excited to see what’s next for them.”

"Today marks the culmination of the 11^th program I've run at Techstars,” said KJ Singh, Managing Director, Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs Accelerator, powered by Techstars. “Having invested in over 100 companies during my tenure and run more programs than anyone else at Techstars, past or present, this is without a doubt the class I am most excited about. These 11 companies were able to achieve so much more because of their access to mentorship from both the broader Techstars network and the decision-makers within every business unit at Comcast NBCUniversal and Sky."