DOTHAN, Ala. (February 20, 2024) – HudsonAlpha Wiregrass has launched its Navigate Mentoring program to support entrepreneurs in the Wiregrass region. This initiative is part of HudsonAlpha’s overarching innovation strategy to build and strengthen agriculture and technology companies in the Wiregrass.
The Navigate Mentoring program is modeled after the Massachusetts Institute for Technology’s Venture Mentoring Service (MIT VMS). Navigate was first established in Huntsville in 2019 and now serves southeastern Alabama through HudsonAlpha Wiregrass. Navigate officially launched on Feb. 8, with four entrepreneurs participating in the inaugural cohort.
Through Navigate, HudsonAlpha focuses on supporting the growth of agriculture and technology entrepreneurs using a team-based approach. This helps new and established entrepreneurs who want to sharpen their business plans and develop management skills. These entrepreneurs also receive confidential, unbiased advice on business strategy and growth. Navigate operates as an in-person program to best support entrepreneurs.
Bob Woodall, CEO of Bob Woodall Air Care System, is one of the inaugural mentors and was enthusiastic about the program from the start. “The Navigate team mentoring program will help entrepreneurs learn ‘TOMA – top of mind awareness’ about what they do best,” he said. “As a mentor, I want to help these small businesses focus on their profitable passions.”
Navigate is supported by HudsonAlpha and involves mentors across the Wiregrass area with expertise in starting and leading a company as well as scaling, finance, marketing, operations, human resources and other critical subject matters for entrepreneurs. Navigate volunteer mentors are experienced executives with decades of management and advisory experience with a common passion for giving back to the Wiregrass community.
Aspiring entrepreneurs with ideas centered on agriculture or agricultural technology are encouraged to apply. Participants must be committed to receiving mentorship from a team of local leaders and meeting reporting requirements.
To learn more about the Navigate Mentoring Program, visit hudsonalpha.org/innovate/business-biotech. Entrepreneurs wanting to apply to receive mentorship from HudsonAlpha’s group of mentors should contact Ann Carr, HudsonAlpha’s Economic Development Associate in the Wiregrass, at 334-796-6792 or acarr@hudsonalpha.org.