Seven ventures have joined Merrimack College’s inaugural CELSIUS accelerator, connecting founders with students and faculty on its North Andover campus.
The college announced the cohort Tuesday, Oct. 13. Participants work in fields including artificial intelligence, electric-vehicle charging, sports technology, tourism and consumer products.
The accelerator launched in September as a four-week program. It welcomes outside founders alongside members of the Merrimack community, offering mentorship, resources and opportunities for students to work on business and technology challenges.
“We didn't want to build a traditional entrepreneurship center where students simply learn about startups. We wanted to bring exceptional founders and real companies onto campus and give students the opportunity to build alongside them,” founding director Patrick McQuown said.
The inaugural cohort
According to Merrimack, the participating ventures are:
- NOVA: Merrimack faculty members Eleanor Shonkoff, Christopher Stuetzle and Elizabeth Natale are developing an AI nutrition platform to help users find affordable meals, access SNAP benefits and locate lower-cost groceries.
- Benchmark: Aaron Phelan’s athlete-development platform begins with hockey. Advisers include Kevin Westgarth and Blake Wheeler.
- Pirl: Kobby Osei-Kusi’s company develops technology intended to reduce electric-vehicle charging costs.
- PAPERTABLE: Martin Joen is developing wireless charging embedded in furniture.
- Kilsar: Led by Zach Casey, the company converts technical information into AI-guided workflows. Merrimack reports it has raised $3.7 million.
- Nomad: Ryan Lee’s travel-marketing company combines creator storytelling, advertising and measurement tools.
- Sketos: Santiago Ortega’s Colombian dairy-products business is expanding into the U.S.
Student experience and future plans
CELSIUS is part of Merrimack’s broader entrepreneurship and innovation initiative. Students can contribute to work involving engineering, product development, marketing, research and business strategy.
McQuown joined Merrimack from Towson University and previously led entrepreneurship programs at James Madison University. Ventures participating in his earlier programs collectively raised more than $335 million, according to the college’s announcement of his appointment.
The cohort announcement lists a Venture Showcase for Thursday, Oct. 29. The separate program page still lists November; attendees should confirm the date and attendance arrangements with the college.
Beginning in 2027, Merrimack plans to run the accelerator throughout June and July, followed by a September showcase, according to its CELSIUS program page.
