HUNTSVILLE — Startup accelerator gener8tor and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology have announced the five companies for their inaugural Fall 2022 HudsonAlpha Agtech Investment Accelerator.
The 12-week program, which kicked off Oct. 13, invests $100,00 in each of five startups at the forefront of the agricultural technology industry.
“Agriculture innovation has been prevalent throughout Alabama’s history, dating back to George Washington Carver’s work in soil health and peanuts,” said Alex Cate, director of Entrepreneurship Programs for HudsonAlpha. “We’re incredibly pleased to be able to support agriculture innovators as they look for new ways to feed our world.
“This accelerator will bolster Alabama’s ability to translate agriculture technologies into commercial products that will help producers in Alabama and beyond.”
The companies are:
- Frakktal – The Houston start-up develops biobased polymers from agricultural products and empowers entities to integrate healthy materials into green building spaces.
- ShipShape – founded by CEO Kenneth “Dale” Speetjens is based in Birmingham and designs and manufactures modular, hydroponic farms that make fresh vegetables accessible year-round. Urban “agripreneurs” are able to produce one acre of crops within a 500 square-foot “smart farm” that is operated with the “Digital Farmer” app.
- MiFood Robot – The Madrid, Spain, company automates harvesting and collects and stores food items including fruit and vegetables using a robot. The process maximizes crop production and enhances sustainability, while reducing food waste and CO2 emissions.
- MicroMGx – Founded in Chicago, the company harnesses microbial chemistry to create more effective and sustainable products, including agricultural, pharmaceutical, and animal health. Using $3 million of NIH grants and 10 years of research, MicroMGx developed a platform using genomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics to discover natural chemistry 100 times faster than classical methods.
- AgTechLogic – The Mesa, Ariz.-based company provides smart “RetroFIT & Go” technology that immediately transforms existing spray equipment into an intelligent precision spraying platform. This technology significantly reduces herbicide use along with savings of water, fuel and labor with a strong return on investment.
Startups were recruited from around the world with each competing in a rigorous application and interview process. This first cohort was selected from among hundreds of applicants because of their strong performance in four key elements: team, traction, product/service and market opportunity.
The HudsonAlpha Agtech Investment Accelerator is also supported by the Growing Alabama Credit program through the Alabama Department of Commerce.
“The HudsonAlpha gener8tor partnership has perhaps created the most fertile ground for the rapid growth of AgTech startups globally,” said Christopher Udall, managing director of the HudsonAlpha Agtech Investment Accelerator. “I am thrilled to be a part of the founder’s journey in solving many of the most impactful challenges relating to world hunger, food scarcity, nutrition, crop yield, sustainability, deep space exploration and so much more!
“As managing director, I am excited to invest in AgTech innovations and serve the founders that will undoubtedly change the world.”
The accelerator will conclude Dec. 15 with a showcase event at HudsonAlpha where founders will pitch their companies. If interested in connecting with the startups and programs, contact Christopher Udall.
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