Austin-based startup providing haircare
services to people of color to receive $100,000 in funding to
accelerate its business and mission
Today, 29Eleven The Salon was announced as the winner of the
2024 Austin FC Dream Starter Competition presented by Q2 Holdings,
Inc. (NYSE: QTWO). 29Eleven The Salon will receive $100,000 in
funding to accelerate its business and mission as part of the
Austin FC Dream Starter business initiative, which supports Austin
entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds.
“After reviewing several innovative pitches, we’re delighted to
announce 29Eleven The Salon as this year’s Dream Starter winner,”
said Austin FC President Andy Loughnane. “Austin has an amazing and
diverse entrepreneurial community, and we’re grateful to Q2 for
their help in bringing this initiative to life for a fourth
consecutive year.”
29Eleven The Salon provides education and hair care services to
address the unique needs of curly and highly textured hair.
Historically, cosmetology schools have only provided training
focused on straighter hair textures, which results in the
surrounding communities being underserved for hair care
services.
“It is an honor to be selected as the 2024 Dream Starter
Competition winner. This is an amazing opportunity to expand my
business,” said 29Eleven Owner Tiffany Wilson. “People of Color
spend $8 billion dollars annually on beauty and product services,
with $3 billion spent on hair care. This will allow us to reach
more people with kinky curls who need healthy hair care.”
“We are proud to support underrepresented local entrepreneurs
through the annual Dream Starter Competition in partnership with
Austin FC,” said Q2 CEO Matt Flake. “It’s exciting to learn about
the diverse businesses the finalists represent here in Central
Texas, all of which align so well with our Q2 mission. We look
forward to seeing the impacts this year’s winner will make in its
communities.”
The Austin FC Dream Starter Competition combines Q2’s mission
with Austin FC’s inclusivity through equity community pillar. The
aim is to connect underrepresented entrepreneurs with the resources
needed to build profitable, high-growth companies. The “Dream
Starter” funds will aid 29Eleven The Salon in overcoming financial
barriers to achieve success.
In addition to 29Eleven The Salon, the 2024 Dream Starter
finalists included Amiguitos Spanish Immersion Academy, The
Breastfeeding Success Company, Celzo Agua Fresca, and West China
Tea.
29Eleven The Salon, along with the other finalists, participated
in a pitch contest on May 23 at Q2 Stadium. A diverse group of
representatives from Austin FC, Q2 Holdings, Inc., and the Austin
entrepreneurial community evaluated each finalist’s presentation
and ultimately selected the winner. 29Eleven The Salon will be
honored with a check presentation during halftime at the Austin FC
vs. Portland Timbers match on Wednesday, May 29.
Previous Winners
SocialNote
In 2023, SocialNote Co-founder Vanessa Newton, was selected as
the Austin FC Dream Starter Competition winner. SocialNote is a
one-of-a-kind web application designed for school-based social
workers to manage interactions with students and families.
Documentation of interactions with students and families is
critical but often the last task to be completed because there are
so many other needs to tend to. SocialNote aims to provide a
platform that removes the stress, dread and burnout of case
management so the job feels sustainable, and the professional field
of school-based mental health retains high-quality providers.
CDL Changing Lanes Driving School
In 2022, Delbert Crawford, Founder and Owner of CDL Changing
Lanes Driving School, was selected as the Austin FC Dream Starter
Competition winner. CDL Changing Lanes Driving School teaches
individuals from diverse backgrounds how to safely drive a
commercial vehicle. The school's training programs help its
students, many of whom are unemployed, gain the skills necessary
for jobs driving commercial vehicles, changing the trajectory of
their lives.
At Ease Rentals Corporation
In 2021, Anthony Gantt, CEO of At Ease Rentals Corporation, was
selected as the inaugural Austin FC Dream Starter Competition
winner. At Ease Rentals Corporation is a short-term rental platform
helping military and federal employees and their families find
government approved, temporary housing with less time and
frustration.
About Austin FC
Austin FC joined Major League Soccer (MLS) as the League’s 27th
club in January 2019. Austin FC officially began competing in MLS
in April 2021 and played its first match at home on June 19, 2021,
in the new, 100% privately financed, state-of-the-art Q2 Stadium in
Austin. In its second year, Austin FC finished the regular season
2nd in the Western Conference, while also making a run to the
Western Conference Finals during the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Austin FC also operates Austin FC II, a professional-level
development team competing in MLS NEXT Pro which won the league
title during its inaugural season in 2023. In addition, Austin FC
operates Austin FC Academy which is the fully funded developmental
academy representing the highest level of competition for elite
youth soccer players in Central Texas, while serving as the
exclusive developmental pathway to MLS for the region’s most
talented young players. Combined, Austin FC II and Austin FC
Academy teams complete the pro player pathway between elite youth
soccer (MLS NEXT) all the way to MLS, and allow for players to
develop, improve, and move up to Austin FC or Austin FC II.
About Q2 Holdings, Inc.
Q2 is a leading provider of digital transformation solutions for
financial services, serving banks, credit unions, alternative
finance companies, and fintechs in the U.S. and internationally. Q2
enables its financial institutions and fintech customers to provide
comprehensive, data-driven digital engagement solutions for
consumers, small businesses and corporate clients. Headquartered in
Austin, Texas, Q2 has offices worldwide and is publicly traded on
the NYSE under the stock symbol QTWO. To learn more, please visit
Q2.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and X to stay up to date.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240524768607/en/
Austin FC Media Contacts Cameron Koubek Communications
and Media Manager, Austin FC 301.526.1542 ckoubek@austinfc.com
Gwen Hernandez Brand Communications Coordinator, Austin FC
646.717.3196 ghernandez@austinfc.com
Q2 Media Contact Maria Gari Senior Marketing
Communications Specialist, Q2 315.657.0041 maria.gari@q2.com
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