HUNTSVILLE – With a goal to make the HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology the global capital for agricultural technology innovation, Christopher Udall has been named managing director of the new HudsonAlpha AgTech Investment Accelerator.
Huntsville’s technology/business accelerator and capital investment firm, gener8tor, announced the hiring of Udall, a former wheat farmer and entrepreneur.
The accelerator is made possible by a partnership between gener8tor and HudsonAlpha.
“The HudsonAlpha generator partnership has perhaps created the most fertile ground for the rapid growth of AgTech startups globally,” said Udall. “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, agrivoltaics, deep space exploration and so much more.”
A farmer and startup founder of an international non-governmental organization, Udall continues to work at the intersection of culture, conflict, innovation and rural economics.
Udall will serve as the connector between the AgTech startup ecosystem and the broader gener8tor network and programming.
“As managing director of the HudsonAlpha Agtech Investment Accelerator, I am excited to invest in AgTech innovations and serve the founders that will undoubtedly change the world,” he said.
Udall will lead the gener8tor HudsonAlpha AgTech Investment Accelerator in conjunction with HudsonAlpha as they cultivate the next wave of AgTech leaders and solutions globally.
The accelerator will build on the unique offerings of HudsonAlpha’s Biotechnology research campus and the surrounding region, to further attract and develop emerging AgTech startups from around the world.
Udall is a 20 Under 40 Influential Entrepreneurs award winner, TEDx speaker and a third place U.S. finisher in Automated Manufacturing Technologies. He received his MBA from Notre Dame and a certificate in social entrepreneurship at the University of Oxford.
“HudsonAlpha is extremely pleased to welcome Christopher to our community of collaborators, innovators and scientists,” said Alex Cate, director of entrepreneurship programs for HudsonAlpha. “Agriculture innovation has been an anchor in our Institute’s roots since its founding and we’re incredibly pleased to be able to support the next generation of AgTech startup founders with Christopher at the reins.”
Gener8tor is accepting applications for the joint program, which consists of a 12-week program, held twice a year with a high level of individualized attention for participating companies. The program runs Sept. 8 to Dec. 2.
Startups, mentors and investors working in AgTech can sign up to meet with Udall by clicking here.
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