HUNTSVILLE — Gener8tor, in partnership with the MidCity Accelerator Foundation and RCP Cos., announces the 10 startup companies selected for the fall 2022 gener8tor Huntsville Investment Accelerator and gBETA Huntsville Accelerator.
Both programs provide a range of support, mentorship, and access to venture capital for growing their businesses.
“RCP Companies and the MidCity Accelerator Foundation continue to be inspired by the work of the gener8tor team and the diverse group of founders who have applied for and been accepted to our Huntsville and North Alabama programs,” said Lindsey Pattillo Keane, executive director of MidCity District Association. “We invite the region to discover the robust start-up culture that is burgeoning in our community.
“The Tennessee Valley is known for brilliant, forward-thinking citizens, and gener8tor and the MCAF are ensuring that these big thinkers have a local accelerator where their business endeavors can flourish and thrive.”
The Huntsville Investment Accelerator kicked off Sept. 15 with five startups participating in gener8tor’s 12-week investment accelerator. They are receiving $100,000 of seed capital, access to gener8tor’s international network of mentors and investors, as well as entrepreneurial training and support.
The companies selected for the Huntsville-based program are:
BevLive, founded by Bjoern Lanwer.
BevLive is transforming traditional wine purchasing through an immersive livestreaming sales platform. There are six brands on the platform that hail from Australia and Spain.
Poligage, founded by Christine Davies
Poligage connects users to policy and government affairs experts via its first-in-industry online marketplace. The Washington, D.C.-based, Delaware C-corp has achieved gross market value of $260,000 in its first two years with a 26% average gross margin, and 6 times revenue growth from its first year of operation.
Sunset Vibes Swimwear, founded by Denise Foley
Sunset Vibes empowers women of all shapes and sizes to feel their absolute best in a swimsuit, without compromising on fashion or style. Sunset Vibes is a Delaware C-Corp, launched in January and sold in boutiques in three countries.
Urban Eatz, founded by D’Andre Good
Urban Eatz is a delivery app that began catering to underrepresented restaurants, food trucks, and home-based businesses and has expanded to include all consumer goods and untapped boutiques. Operating out of Houston, Texas, the company planning to expand into Huntsville. Urban Eatz has 2,700 businesses operating on their platform and 30-plus drivers.
Zaden Technologies, founded by Valentine Nwachukwu
Zaden Technologies delivers Olympus, the company’s flagship product for DevSecOps Infrastructure-as-a-Service for the defense and space industry. Zaden has monthly recurring revenue of $309K with $2.5 million in 2022 revenue. Additionally, three Olympus customization contracts have been signed with Boeing and Northrop Grumman, for an expected total revenue of $40M over the next 4 years.
Startups were recruited from around the world with each competing in a rigorous application and interview process and selected from among hundreds of applicants because of their strong performance in four key elements including team, traction, product/service, and market opportunity.
The gBETA Huntsville’s fall 2022 cohort kicked off Sept. 29. This seven-week accelerator is designed to help startups access the networks and resources needed to build venture-backable and economically impactful companies. The startups will receive intensive, individualized coaching and access to a national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors.
From a competitive applicant pool and interview process, five startups stood out: PoP Therapeutics; Harmony Dx; Restorasis; Nia; and Green Acre Pharms.
“The MidCity Accelerator Foundation and gener8tor partnership aligns with Huntsville’s economic initiative to further empower the city’s startup ecosystem,” said Haley Medved Kendrick, gener8tor senior managing director of Investment Accelerators. “We are thrilled to help position the state as an ideal location for startups to settle and grow right in the heart of the Tennessee Valley.”
Both accelerators will conclude in December with showcase events highlighting each of the 10 startups. Founders will have the opportunity to pitch their companies to investors, community partners and the public.
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