Technology and the high-tech industry are launching new ideas from the present day into the future, and, rapidly, new ideas for means of innovation and growth are becoming a reality before our very eyes.
Rally: The Social Enterprise Accelerator recently awarded a $25,000 investment to Omnimodal. Omnimodal, LLC (Omni) helps empower riders to make informed decisions about their commutes by providing high-quality, real-time data to existing transportation apps. This will help users to schedule their transportation times, saving the users time and money by avoiding long commutes, missing trains or buses, or having to schedule sometimes expensive Ubers or Lyfts. This improvement helps create shorter wait times, makes connecting from one ride to the next easier, and makes long commutes less time consuming and stressful.
The company will use the funds toward its mission of making public transportation successful and streamlined, which can continue to be a reality for the company with this investment. “We are humbled to have been awarded this investment money,” said Nathan Selikoff, co-founder of Omnimodal. “There were seven other great social enterprises the judges could have chosen.”
David Moran, co-founder of Omnimodal, added: “It’s thrilling to have folks believe in our work to make transportation easy for everyone. This is our dream job, and real-time information is a critical tool for combating transit inequity.” Omnimodal competed against seven other companies in the “Shark Tank”-style pitch event, where entrepreneurs of a variety of social companies were able to make their ideas heard with the possibility of being awarded the $25,000 investment to forward their mission.
Other organizations present at the pitch event included:
The Mustard Seed of Central Florida – recycling mattresses and creating jobs
Outcome Funding – automating development coaching
Florida Abolitionist – equipping companies to stop human trafficking
HEBNI (Health Empowerment through Behavioral and Nutritional Initiatives) –
educating people to eat well
Snapgood – removing barriers in volunteering
Ecospears – decontaminating soil and waterways
Fleet Farming – disrupting food supply with local micro-farm plots
“This was a difficult decision because all of the entrepreneurs impressed us with their commitment to helping solve social issues while earning revenue,” said Ben Hoyer, president and COO of Rally and founder of Downtown Credo, a donation-based coffee shop. “We’re confident that this investment will advance Omnimodal’s focus to enhance the quality, efficiency and reliability of public transportation.”
Central Florida Foundation is the place for people who want to invest in their community. The foundation serves as the region’s community foundation and is home to more than 400 charitable funds. The foundation manages and invests funds, offers personalized service and expert advice, connects caring people, businesses, governments and organizations to local initiatives that build and inspire community, and empowers them to make informed decisions that make a difference now and in the future.
