This article originally appeared in the Reading Eagle, written by
Berks LaunchBox, an innovation hub of Penn State Berks, has announced seven recipients of the second round of the “IMAGINE Your Business” grant. Funded by the county’s Imagine Berks Fund, the grant provides up to $2,000 to early-stage entrepreneurs to support various business needs such as prototyping, marketing and product development. LaunchBox officials said the recipients, whose business ideas span diverse industries, have demonstrated exceptional potential and a clear vision for addressing market needs.
Berks LaunchBox provided this list of grant recipients:
- Dariana Delightful Cake LLC, founded by mother-daughter team of Victoria Jimenez and Dariana Pena, offers artfully decorated cakes that feature Dominican flavors, crafted with passion and a personal touch. They plan to use the grant to establish an online presence, including e-commerce, and increase marketing.
- Innovation Cleaning LLC offers a custom cleaning solution that combines technology, rigorous quality control and an expert workforce. Founded by Bryan Guzman, the company integrates state-of-the-art software to streamline operations and deliver industry-leading transparency and control. Guzman plans to use the grant to strengthen marketing efforts and create more jobs.
- Jaerimy Inc., founded by veteran Keith Tademy, is developing the Emergent Reply Imminent Crisis (ERIC) mobile application, focused on wellness and personal safety. It automatically dispatches a distress call based on predetermined time events. ERIC is designed for individuals who live alone, including those facing chronic health conditions, the elderly, disabled adults, and others. Tademy plans to use the grant for final development of the app and compliance and hosting fees.
- Koffee Dreams Roasters LLC offers specialty coffee sourced directly from family-owned farms in Costa Rica and roasted in small batches in Pennsylvania. They maintain direct relationships with the coffee producers, ensuring traceability and fair-trade practices. Karla Garro, founder, plans to leverage the grant to enhance production capabilities and expand marketing efforts.
- New Beginnings Counseling Services LLC, founded by Giannina Reyes, licensed professional counselor, offers bilingual and culturally affirming mental health care. They hire clinicians who share the same cultural background and values as their clients, combining a person-centered approach with evidence-based therapies, tailored to clients’ unique cultural contexts. Reyes will use the grant to hire new counselors and create a website.
- Shade Tree Embodied Wellness LLC, founded by Laural Miller, supports clients individually and in small groups through an integrative approach to wellbeing, stress management and trauma recovery, using mind-body coaching, EMDR, Reiki, craniosacral therapy, and more. She offers training and facilitation for organizations to support wellness in the workplace. Miller plans to leverage the grant to build an online presence and offer group classes.
- The Tile Stepper, founded by Jules Veres and son Bence Veres, is a tool for homeowners and professional tile installers that enables walking on freshly laid installations without issues. It allows installers to place materials, tools, toolboxes, etc., on a surface without compromising the integrity of the installation. Veres plans to use the grant for advertising and final mold fabrication, as well as market research costs.
As part of the award, recipients are required to submit a one-page report on the use and impact of the funds within six months. This accountability ensures the funds are used effectively and provides valuable insights into the program’s impact on the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, officials said. The next funding period for grants will be in spring 2025. Applicants are required to build a business model canvas and make an appointment and review it with Berks LaunchBox staff.
For more information on the “IMAGINE Your Business” grant and other initiatives, visit Berks LaunchBox.