Snapshot: 2026 – 2027 StartUp Worcester Cohort Companies
Artist Health Coverage: Led by Magdelene Barjolo, Artist Health Coverage is a nonprofit initiative in the early validation phase that helps freelance creatives access affordable healthcare through enrollment assistance, venue partnerships, and member-owned coverage models.
Avanza Ability Partners Inc.: Founded by Mayerling De La Rosa and two partners, Avanza Ability Partners provides bilingual navigation and culturally responsive support for families of individuals with developmental disabilities while preparing for state agency contracting.
Born For More: Founded by Michaelangelo Shavies, Born For More is a youth-empowerment social enterprise that pairs mentorship with a gamified mission platform, aiming to generate up to $25,000 this year through curriculum licensing and pilot programs.
Dewar Performance: Founded by Melissa Dewar, Worcester-based Dewar Performance provides transparent SEO and website strategies for local contractors and service providers, aiming to establish repeatable systems and recurring retainer revenue.
Golden Transportation and Logistics LLC: Founded by Navy veteran Maxwell Adu-Boakye, this pre-launch non-medical transit service leverages 13+ years of healthcare contracting experience to provide dignified, dependable transportation for Worcester County veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
Greenhouse Bread: Founded by head baker Vanthara Hill with technical support from David Hill, Greenhouse Bread is a bootstrapped Millbury bakery finalizing its municipal licensing to bring sustainable, artisan sourdough directly to local markets and pop-ups.
Lexagy LLC: Founded by Raymond Carville, Lexagy LLC is a bootstrapped, Worcester-based software company currently in beta testing for its subscription-based family reading and community-sharing platform ahead of a November 2026 launch.
My Collective: Founded by Crystal McGlynn, My Collective blends mindfulness, movement, and art through proprietary wellness frameworks at its Sturbridge studio while actively working to scale B2B corporate wellness packages.
Vanguard Insight: Co-founded by Andrew and Jacqueline Swenson, Vanguard Insight is an early-stage, self-funded Worcester consulting firm utilizing StartUp Worcester to scale its operations and workforce development services for local businesses and nonprofits.
Wuoti Law LLC: Founded by Amanda Wuoti, Wuoti Law LLC provides accessible, unbundled contract legal services across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, having generated $45,000 in its first year while serving roughly 30 active clients.