BIG pre-accelerator is a virtual program that provides an enriching experience for founders, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and network necessary for business success, in a nurturing and empowering environment that fosters innovation and growth. The BIG program prepares pre-revenue companies led by founders to be market-ready and capable of developing scalable revenue models.
TO QUALIFY, CANDIDATES MUST:
- Pre-revenue founders
- Be 18 years old or older
- Founders who have started to build or are ready to launch their MVP (minimum viable product)
- Founders who want to take their tech-enabled business to market
- Founders are required to share how and in what way inclusion in this program will disrupt inequities in the entrepreneurial ecosystem or investment landscape in which they operate or which digitalundivided operates.
IN BIG, YOU WILL:
- Be ready to test your ideas, develop scalable revenue models, and launch your product or services to the market.
- Have a refined business pitch ready for investors.
- Gain comprehensive knowledge in key areas of business management.
- Establish connections with mentors, industry experts, and peers.
- Be better equipped to lead and grow their businesses.
Meet Our 2024 Founders
Meet Our Facilitators
THE AUTOMATED CMO
Jennifer "Jaki" Johnson, M.S., B.A.
Jennifer "Jaki" Johnson is the founder and CEO of WellMiss, spearheading the creation of the first trauma-informed digital clinic, a visionary endeavor focused on delivering comprehensive and integrative care to women healing from trauma. Inspired by her own experiences, Jaki has shaped WellMiss to provide a holistic approach to healthcare, meticulously addressing the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual impacts of trauma. Her remarkable academic journey includes a BA from Spelman College, an MS from Columbia University, and a certification in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University.
Jaki is a trauma educator, trained in Compassionate Inquiry, Trauma Sensitive Heart Math, Culturally-Competent Trauma-Informed Care, and Grief-Informed practices. She is also an Ivy-League trained journalist, having spent five years reporting.
Jaki is backed by Techstars and bolstered by the support of Cox Enterprises, the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM), Rock Health as a former Rock Health Innovation Fellow, Columbia University Tamer Fund for Social Enterprises, and UCSF as a former
Rosenman Rise Health Innovator.
Jaki is a mother of three boys, has traveled to 30+ countries, and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Founder of Dory Consulting
Danielle Dory Hyppolite
With a diverse background spanning industries and functions around the globe, Danielle excels in delivering impactful programs, transformations, and strategies. Her expertise includes developing intuitive roadmaps, program anchors, and effective strategy plans that drive results, growth, and strong governance.
In her consultancy, Dory Consulting, Danielle focuses on empowering businesses and startups through strategic consulting and coaching. Danielle served as a VP of strategy for several years, guiding and coaching leaders across industries through people, growth, product, program, change management, and other strategic priority initiatives.
Danielle holds a degree in English and Culture from Davidson College, is a Gartner Internal Communications Black Belt professional, and a certified coach. She actively contributes to her community through volunteering and mentoring. Danielle is also a board member and communications co-chair for the Davidson College Black Alumni Network.
Danielle's ability to drive meaningful change and empower teams stems from her commitment to navigating complex challenges with intention, rigor, and agility.
CTO, Startup Tech Advisor, creator of TechSpeak and Co-founder of Wellbeing Inc
Nelly Yusupova
Nelly Yusupova is a CTO, with over 18 years of experience, leading companies to technical excellence. She is a start-up tech advisor, outsourced CTO, and the creator of TechSpeak for Entrepreneurs.
Nelly is on a mission to help entrepreneurs minimize technology mistakes and through her online masterclass TechSpeak for Entrepreneurs, she provides the roadmap to successfully manage technology teams and projects, even if you are not technical or know how to code.
Nelly was included in Fast Company’s, “League of Extraordinary Women”, and has been at the forefront of the women’ s movement online since 1999. She was also named Wall Street Journal’s “Woman on the IT Fast Track”.
Nelly is a speaker and presenter for many organizations and major industries events including: Women’s Enterprise Center, Founder Institute, Saas Academy, Black is Tech, GSV Bootcamp, WeWork Labs, TechDay, FastTrac NewVentures, Womens’ Venture Summit, Small Business Summit and has been featured in INC Magazine, NBC Today Show, Fast Company Magazine, NewsDay.com, O’Reilly, SmartMoney, SmallBiz, TechRepublic, Women’s Radio.
CFO at TLay Healthcare Services Inc.
Ugochi D. Nwoga
She came back to the US to be the Chief Finance & Strategy Officer at her family business, a home healthcare company – TLay Healthcare Services where she is also a board member. Ugochi is enthusiastic about the progress of Africa as a result she became co-owner of Ovico Art gallery in St. Augustine, Florida featuring exclusive African Contemporary masterpieces. She sits on the board of her family foundation SOMTO and on the advisory board of Florida University’s School of Nursing. She received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Florida University, a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Supply Chain Management from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA, from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.
Director at Goulston & Storrs
Kristen Ferris
Kristen Ferris is a corporate attorney with a wealth of experience representing clients in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital transactions, as well as handling general
corporate representation of a variety of operating companies. Kristen's clients turn to her as their trusted advisor and primary contact for her deep experience on both the buy and sell-side of large M&A and financial transactions.
She has led deals in a broad range of industries including technology, life sciences, energy, consumer retail, and automotive. Her work encompasses a company’s entire lifecycle – including formation, financing, growth, and exit. She thrives on helping clients accomplish their strategic corporate growth strategies and business development goals.
Prior to joining Goulston & Storrs, Kristen was a partner at an Am Law 100 law firm where she was active on the pro bono committee.
She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and industry insight with the business and financial community, making her a sought-after speaker and thought leader. She is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth and the National Association for Corporate Directors.
Outside of work, Kristen enjoys golfing, skiing, and running. She participates in Ragnar trail and road relay races and most recently completed the 2024 Boston Marathon with the Cathleen Stone (f/k/a Thompson Island) Outward Bound Team, which you can learn more about here. She is an accomplished violist, having performed at Carnegie Hall, in chamber orchestras, and more recently, with her daughter. She enjoys traveling and new adventures with her family.
Executive Coach
Elayne Fluker
𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧.
Elayne has been a speaker at the 𝐔𝐍, 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧, 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐧’𝐬, 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐬, Inbound, 𝐍𝐘𝐔, 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚, 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐧 and 𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲, and she has 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝟐𝟎𝟎+ 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 for tens of thousands of attendees in the U.S., Spain, South Africa, Morocco and globally online.
𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 – "𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 "𝐈 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐈𝐭: How to Stop Playing Superwoman, Get Support and Remember that Having It All Doesn’t Mean Doing It All Alone" – was published by HarperCollins Leadership in 2021.
Her popular podcast -- "𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐱𝐲" -- has more than one million downloads, and Elayne has interviewed more than 500 diverse women leaders.
In 2020, Elayne was named a “Founder of Change” by 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 for her innovation as an entrepreneur.
Corporate Development at Shopify
Sabrina Frias
Sabrina immigrated from Venezuela to Canada at a young age and is passionate about empowering female and latin entrepreneurs.
FAQS
Who is the program open to?
The program is open to founders based in the United States or its territories. Companies with a strong tech component that are pre-revenue and just about to go to market should apply. We do not accept idea-stage companies for this program; but if you are at the idea stage and have not yet launched, please consider our START program. If your company is already generating revenue, please consider our BREAKTHROUGH or Do You Fellowship programs.
Where does the program take place?
The virtual nature of BIG allows applicants from anywhere to apply to the program and participate in the workshops and office hours via Zoom.
We encourage qualifying women founders from all across the United States and its territories to apply to this program.
Once the program ends, does digitalundivided fund my company?
This program is a pre-accelerator program, and we do not offer funding. However, we will prepare you to take on funding, apply to the nation’s top accelerator programs, and, most importantly, find a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, who will support you the entire way there.