LISC ASCEND LA Accelerator acceptance
LISC's ASCEND LA 2026 Cohort 2 welcomes Life Backup Plan
Life Backup Plan was selected for LISC Ascend LA’s 2026 Cohort 2 Procurement + AI Readiness Accelerator.
Life Backup Plan Joins LISC Ascend LA 2026 Cohort 2
Life Backup Plan has been accepted into the 2026 Cohort 2 of Ascend LA, a Procurement + AI Readiness Accelerator powered by LISC LA and designed to help growth-stage small businesses pursue contracts, access capital, strengthen operations, and scale.
The opportunity began unexpectedly during a Southern California Edison innovation webinar in March 2026. Life Backup Plan Founder and CEO Sandy Eulitt participated in the training and shared information in the webinar chat about the company’s Interoperable Lifecare Platform™, its capabilities, and its potential applications across healthcare, government, employers, education, utilities, nonprofits, and other markets.
That introduction caught the attention of Jabbar Wesley, who leads the Ascend LA initiative for LISC LA. The following day, Eulitt received an email from Anita Gardyne explaining that Wesley had asked her to find Eulitt and encourage her to apply for the upcoming Ascend LA cohort.
Life Backup Plan applied and was subsequently accepted into the program.
“It is especially meaningful to be invited into a program because someone heard what we are building and immediately recognized its potential,” Eulitt said. “Ascend LA’s focus on procurement, contracting, capital, strategic growth, and AI readiness aligns extremely well with where Life Backup Plan is today and where we are going.”
About Ascend LA
Ascend LA is a business accelerator powered by LISC LA and CMG Alliance. Its 2026 Procurement + AI Readiness Accelerator helps businesses strengthen their ability to compete for contracts and prepare for sustainable growth.
The program combines the University of Washington Foster School of Business 3-M Framework of Management, Markets, and Money with LISC LA’s 4-C Framework of Coaching, Capital, Contracts, and Community. Participants receive business and procurement coaching, bid and RFP preparation, access to capital resources, and connections to an established network of diverse businesses.
According to Ascend LA, its programs have served more than 400 alumni, supported more than 300 jobs, and helped participating businesses secure more than $70 million in contracts.
The 2026 Cohort 2 program began June 4, 2026.
About LISC
Local Initiatives Support Corporation, commonly known as LISC, is a nationwide nonprofit community development organization. LISC provides capital, strategy, technical assistance, and other resources that help communities and businesses create economic opportunity and sustainable growth.
LISC LA supports businesses and communities throughout the Los Angeles region, including through procurement readiness and small-business capacity-building programs such as Ascend LA.
Life Backup Plan’s participation in Ascend LA advances the company’s efforts to expand its organizational and public-sector partnerships while preparing for contracting opportunities connected to healthcare, community resilience, employee safety, major events, and the broader Los Angeles regional economy.