HudsonAlpha recently held a roundtable that focused on the multi-faceted needs of the Agricultural Sector. Each member of the group was asked to list one thing, specific to Ag that concerns them most. Their answers were as significant and as varied as the group gathered to represent the industry.

Dr Neil Lamb, Vice President for Educational Outreach at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology opened the round of questions by asking “[W]hat is something that keeps you up at night, something you’re excited about, something that needs to be strengthened or improved?”

Greg Barker, President of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama responded that it was Alabama’s link to the agriculture industry that generates a crucial foundation for state’s economy.

“Ag has been so important for Alabama’s economy for so long. And we’ve got to keep looking for innovative ways to ensure that it stays at the preeminent level that it is and grow it more.”

As these regional, state, and agricultural leaders met to discuss ways to meet the growing challenges of feeding, fueling, and sustaining Alabama, the nation, and the world, HudsonAlpha also announced the launch of its new startup business accelerator.

The new AgTech Accelerator will be operated as a partnership between HudsonAlpha and gener8tor, and is designed specifically to focus on technological advancements in the agriculture industry. The Accelerator will be located on the HudsonAlpha campus.

Specializing in business accelerators, startups, and venture funds, Wisconsin-based gener8tor was recently named one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators.

The Accelerator will be actively recruiting talented startups nationwide for a 12-week immersive program at the Institute and will provide agriculture technology innovators with coaching, capital, and connections. Recruitment of the first cohort will begin Summer 2022 and conclude Fall 2022.

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. This will also give selected companies an opportunity to connect and collaborate with the scientists at HudsonAlpha.

“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.”

Collaborative research at HudsonAlpha’s Center for Plant Science and Sustainable Agriculture has led to a better understanding of plant and animal genomes, methods for crop improvement, trait identification and precision breeding. The HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator will only further enhance the Institute’s pipeline for new ideas. What’s more, HudsonAlpha’s latest construction project is a 13,000 square foot greenhouse, scheduled to open in Fall 2022.

In addition, gener8tor and HudsonAlpha will be actively recruiting a Managing Director to lead the program’s operations and investment strategy.

“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.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome new agtech innovators to our community,” added Alex Cate, HudsonAlpha’s Director of Entrepreneurship Programs. “HudsonAlpha has a well-established ecosystem for supporting the specific needs of bioscience and agtech startups. We look forward to collaborating with and supporting startups who share our mission for improving the human condition around the globe.”

The HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator is made possible through partnership with the Alabama Department of Commerce and is sponsored by Patti and Louis Breland, Chris Brunhoeber, Fuqua & Partners Architects, Lynn Hudson, Keel Point, Sophie and Mark Mantooth, Helen McMillian, Pearce Construction Company, Regions Bank, Synovus Financial Corporation and Danny Windham.

For more information: www.gener8tor.com/accelerator/hudsonalpha.