FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: Laura I. Maydón, Managing Director, Endeavor Miami 786-‐953-‐7541, [email protected] Anusha Alikhan, Director of Communications, Knight Foundation 305-‐908-‐2677, [email protected] Wyncode chosen as an Endeavor Miami company, joins growing group of high-‐impact innovators th
The 59 Endeavor International Selection Panel held in Amman, Jordan MIAMI – June 11, 2015 – Endeavor Miami announced today that Johanna and Juha Mikkola, Co-‐Founders of Wyncode Academy, were selected as Endeavor Entrepreneurs. Johanna and Juha join Endeavor Miami’s growing portfolio composed of thirteen additional entrepreneurs from eight companies. Wyncode was selected by panelists with global expertise at Endeavor Global’s 59th International Selection Panel (“ISP”), which was held in Amman, Jordan from June 9th to 11th. The two Miami entrepreneurs join a total of 20 high-‐
impact entrepreneurs representing 15 companies from 10 countries, who were also selected at this panel. Wyncode Academy offers students a nine-‐week intensive coding boot camp with a full stack curriculum (including front-‐end web design/development and back-‐end/server coding) designed to meet the needs of local hiring partners. Since May 2014, 88 students from five cohorts have graduated from the boot camp; 92% of whom were employed within three months, while some students start their own companies. “We’re very excited to be part of the Endeavor Network and to have access to all the global resources Endeavor has to offer,” said Johanna Mikkola, Co-‐Founder of Wyncode Academy. “With the help and guidance of Endeavor, we will accelerate our growth and multiply our impact beyond Miami’s ecosystem,” added Co-‐Founder Juha Mikkola. Endeavor’s International Selection Panel is the culmination of a rigorous selection process, where panels comprised of six top global business leaders interview candidates about their businesses, high-‐impact leadership potential, and timing. In order for an entrepreneur to be selected, they must be voted in unanimously by the panelists. “We’re thrilled to welcome Wyncode as an Endeavor Miami company, both Johanna and Juha represent the values of Endeavor Entrepreneurs that not only have the leadership potential to scale their company but also are already having an impact in our community by closing the talent gap in South Florida,” said Laura Maydón, Managing Director, Endeavor Miami. Endeavor Miami’s board members and mentors have been actively engaged in helping entrepreneurs strive since Endeavor Miami launched almost two years ago. During this ISP, Michele Levy, founder of Ilhabela Holdings, exclusive distributor of Melissa Shoes in the US and Endeavor Miami mentor, participated as a panelist interviewing entrepreneurs from different countries of the Endeavor world. “I leave this ISP so inspired and fulfilled that it really drives home the concept that entrepreneurs are really the actors of change in our world, ” said Michele Levy at the culmination of the ISP. Endeavor Miami launched its operations on September 2013 with the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and a very active local board of business leaders, each of whom believes that high-‐impact entrepreneurship can transform Miami. “The growing group of diverse Endeavor Miami entrepreneurs signals a corresponding growth in the city’s innovation ecosystem,” said Matt Haggman, Knight Foundation program director for Miami. “Wyncode will now be able to benefit from Endeavor’s wide network of high-‐impact entrepreneurs and expand their focus on preparing emerging tech talent to the benefit of Miami.” Endeavor Entrepreneurs receive targeted services including mentorship, access to capital, access to markets, as well as access to talent. For more information on Endeavor Miami or to nominate entrepreneurs, please visit www.endeavormiami.org. About Endeavor Endeavor is leading the global high-‐impact entrepreneurship movement to catalyze long-‐
term economic growth. Since 1997, Endeavor has selected, mentored, and accelerated the best high-‐impact entrepreneurs around the world. Endeavor Entrepreneurs have generated nearly 400,000 jobs and over $6.5 billion in revenues in 2013 and inspired future generations to innovate and become entrepreneurs too. Endeavor now supports more than 1,000 High-‐Impact Entrepreneurs from 647 companies across 23 affiliates. www.endeavor.org. About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. www.knightfoundation.org.