HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology just launched a new startup business accelerator focused on advancements in the agriculture technology sector.
The HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator is operated in partnership with gener8tor, a Wisconsin startup accelerator and venture fund. The accelerator will provide agriculture technology innovators with the coaching, capital and connections they need to take their ideas to new heights by investing in startups selected for the program through a fund managed by gener8tor.
HudsonAlpha made the announcement during a roundtable of agricultural leaders seeking new ways to meet the challenges of feeding and fueling Alabama, the nation and the world.
“HudsonAlpha’s capabilities for improving human lives continue to grow,” said Carter Wells, vice president for economic development at HudsonAlpha. “The Institute is leading the way in the discovery of new tools for growing food and producing biofuels that will improve our world.
“This accelerator is a key part of a larger strategy to create new economies for growers by linking scientific research to commercial opportunity.”
Collaborative research at HudsonAlpha’s Center for Plant Science and Sustainable Agriculture has led to new understanding of plant and animal genomes, methods for crop improvement, trait identification, and precision breeding. Already at the forefront of agriculture, the new accelerator will enhance the Institute’s commercialization pipeline for new ideas.
The AgTech Accelerator will be located at HudsonAlpha’s campus in Cummings Research Park in Huntsville. They will recruit promising startups from around the country for a 12-week immersive program at the Institute.
Selected participants will be a part of the HudsonAlpha ecosystem and have access to the state-of-the-art facilities across the 152-acre biotech campus. Companies can also connect and collaborate with HudsonAlpha scientists.
HudsonAlpha and gener8tor will also recruit a managing director to lead the program’s operations and investment strategy. Interested candidates can apply here.
“We are excited to partner with HudsonAlpha to promote the growth of AgTech in the Huntsville community,” said Joe Kirgues, gener8tor co-founder. “The HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator will provide curated and innovative support for startups at the forefront of agriculture in Alabama.”
Alex Cate, director of Entrepreneurship Programs at HudsonAlpha said they are thrilled to welcome new agtech innovators to the Huntsville community.
“HudsonAlpha has a well-established ecosystem for supporting the specific needs of bioscience and agtech startups,” he said. “We look forward to collaborating with and supporting startups who share our mission for improving the human condition around the globe.”
Recruitment of the first cohort will begin this summer and commence this fall.
Click here if you are a start-up interested in applying, or if you prefer to meet with the HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator team.
The HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator is made possible through a partnership with the Alabama Department of Commerce.
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