Agtech Investment Accelerator kicks off with the first five high-growth startups to receive $100K each and 12 weeks of concierge mentorship and coaching
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Global venture firm and startup accelerator, gener8tor, in partnership with the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, announced the five startup companies selected for the inaugural fall 2022 HudsonAlpha Agtech Investment Accelerator. Kicking off on October 13, the 12-week accelerator invests $100K in five startups at the forefront of the Agtech industry.
The concierge accelerator provides meaningful engagement with the program team, global community and regional resources from both HudsonAlpha and gener8tor. Participants also receive intensive and individualized coaching and access to gener8tor’s national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors, which helps startups secure customers, accelerate their revenue growth and attract additional funding.
The companies selected for the Huntsville-based program are frakktal, ShipShape, MiFood Robot, MicroMGx, AgTechLogic. 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. Full company summaries are available below.
“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.
Together, gener8tor and HudsonAlpha aim to bring economic diversity and job growth to the location. The HudsonAlpha Agtech Investment Accelerator is also supported by the Growing Alabama Credit program through the Alabama Department of Commerce. Sponsors of the HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator include Breland Homes, Fuqua & Partners, Keel Point, Pearce Construction, Regions Bank, Synovus, as well as individual contributors.
“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 on December 15 with a showcase event at HudsonAlpha, highlighting each of the five startups. Founders will have the opportunity to pitch their companies to investors, community partners and the public.
Investors, mentors and community members interested in connecting with the startup companies and programs are encouraged to contact Christopher Udall, HudsonAlpha Agtech Accelerator managing director.
HudsonAlpha Agtech Investment Accelerator Fall 2022 Cohort
AgTechLogic (Mesa, AZ) 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 ROI. The AgTechLogic team is highly focused on bringing sustainable solutions to farmers, municipalities and transportation. Founder and CEO: Thomas Gauthier | tom@agtechlogic.com | agtechlogic.com
frakktal (Houston, TX) develops biobased polymers from agricultural overages. frakktal empowers entities to integrate healthy materials into green building spaces. frakktal will be exhibiting at Greenbuild 2022 in San Francisco, November 1-3. Founder and CEO: Jhana Porter | jhana.porter@frakktal.com | frakktal.com
MicroMGx (Chicago, IL) harnesses microbial chemistry to create more effective and sustainable products, including agricultural, pharmaceutical, and animal health. Using $3M of NIH grants and 10 years of research, MicroMGx developed a platform using genomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics to discover new natural chemistry 100X faster than classical methods. Founder and CEO: Jack Kloeber | j-kloeber@MicroMGX.com | MicroMGX.com
MiFood Robot (Madrid, Spain) automates harvesting and collecting food in farms. The robot collects and stores food items including fruit and vegetables in farms faster than workers while maximizing crops produced and enhancing sustainability, reducing food waste and co2 emission on harvesting. The result is quicker harvesting time, more efficient collecting, lower labor costs, and reduced risk of accidents. Founder and CEO: Ruben Miranda | admin@mifood.es | mifood.es
Shipshape (Birmingham, AL) designs and manufactures modular, hydroponic farms that make fresh vegetables accessible in markets year-round. Shipshape training allows urban “agripreneurs” to produce 5.1 acres of crops within a 500 square foot “Smart Farm” that is digitally and automatically controlled via the “Digital Farmer” app. Shipshape provides continued support through ongoing training, data analysis, systems performance reporting, and monthly supplies. Founder and CEO: Kenneth “Dale” Speetjens | dale.speetjens@shipshapeurbanfarms.com | shipshapeurbanfarms.com
About gener8tor
gener8tor is a global venture firm and accelerator network that supports startups, founders, workers, employers, artists and musicians across race, place and gender. gener8tor partners with companies, governments, universities and nonprofits to operate programs in more than 41 communities across 22 states and two countries. Fast Company named gener8tor one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021 and 2022.
About HudsonAlpha Agtech Accelerator
HudsonAlpha Agtech powered by gener8tor leverages HudsonAlpha’s deep experience in agriscience, specifically agriculture genomics, plant breeding and crop diversity, with gener8tor’s national network of mentors and investors, and Huntsville’s innate strengths as a technology hub. The program invests in the best and brightest startups tackling the challenges of sustainably feeding and powering a growing planet.
About HudsonAlpha
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a nonprofit institute dedicated to developing and applying scientific advances to health, agriculture, education and commercialization. The HudsonAlpha biotechnology campus consists of 152 acres nestled within Cummings Research Park, the nation’s second largest research park. The state-of-the-art facilities co-locate nonprofit scientific researchers with entrepreneurs and educators. HudsonAlpha is a national and international leader in genetics and genomics research and biotech education and fosters more than 45 diverse biotech companies on campus.
