HUNTSVILLE – Huntsville’s business accelerator gener8tor announced a major gift of $600,000 from Synovus Bank to the MidCity Accelerator Foundation. The donation was made through the Growing Alabama Credit program to enable the recruitment, acceleration and growth of more than 15 startups in North Alabama.
The foundation is an initiative of the MidCity District aimed at spurring entrepreneurship in North Alabama.
The MidCity Accelerator Foundation has partnered with gener8tor, RCP Cos. and Made in Alabama to deliver the gener8tor Huntsville Accelerator. The collaborative community-driven program provides startups the opportunity for rapid growth.
“At Synovus, we’re committed to enabling people to reach their full potential, and we understand the transformational impacts that innovative technologies can have on communities,” said Beth Sippel, president of Synovus’ Huntsville market. “Synovus is proud to have served the Huntsville community for nearly 40 years, and through our investment in the MidCity Accelerator Foundation, we’re honored to further equitable access and opportunities in North Alabama.”
The gener8tor Huntsville Accelerator hosts three levels of programming for entrepreneurs at various stages of their company growth.
The gALPHA Alabama Accelerator is open to entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs from across Alabama at the earliest stages of ideation and product validation.
For entrepreneurs with an early-stage product, two gBETA North Alabama Accelerator programs are offered in Huntsville and Muscle Shoals.
The gBETA program is a free, seven-week accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots. Each program is capped at five teams and requires no fees and no equity.
The third is gener8tor’s industry-agnostic program, Huntsville Investment Accelerator, which invests $100k in six companies annually. The investment accelerator recruits globally for in-person participation in Huntsville.
This month, gener8tor Huntsville kicks off two fall programs. The Huntsville Investment Accelerator will welcome five companies from across the country Thursday.
Launching Sept. 30, gBETA Huntsville will host five to six companies from across Alabama for the pre-accelerator program.
Both fall programs will conclude with a premiere night in December.
“RCP Companies and MidCity Accelerator Foundation continue to be impressed with the great work gener8tor and our sponsors are doing in our community,” said Lindsey Pattillo Keane, MidCity District Association executive director for RCP and MidCity District. “Fostering the start-up culture in North Alabama adds more layers to the immense desirability of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley.”
In addition to Synovus, the gener8tor Huntsville Accelerator is supported through sponsorship by First Metro Bank, Robins & Morton, Iron Mountain Solutions and Renasant Bank.
The collaborative community-driven program provides startups the opportunity for rapid growth in the dynamic ecosystem of the Rocket City.
“The engineering talent and entrepreneurial spirit in Huntsville allow for the perfect opportunity to engage with the early growth of a startup ecosystem,” said Haley Medved Kendrick, gener8tor senior managing director of investment accelerators. “Gener8tor is proud to partner with Synovus Bank and the greater Huntsville community, propelling the best and brightest and aligning with the city’s mission to accelerate innovation and provide the resources for startup companies to grow.
“The sky is not the limit, and that’s especially true in Huntsville.”
Mentors and investors interested in connecting with the startup companies and programs are encouraged to contact Donna Ehart, Huntsville Investment Accelerator managing director, or Hua Wang, gBETA Huntsville director.
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