HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, in partnership with global venture firm and startup accelerator gener8tor, announced the five startup companies selected for the Spring 2023 cohort of the HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator. The 12-week accelerator began earlier this month and invests $100K in five startups at the forefront of the agriculture technology industry.

The concierge business accelerator connects the startups with an engaged program team, a global community, and regional resources from both HudsonAlpha and gener8tor. Participating founders also receive comprehensive and individualized coaching along with access to gener8tor’s national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners, and investors, to help them secure customers, accelerate their revenue growth and attract additional funding.

The companies selected for the second cohort in the Huntsville-based program are Terra Bioforge, Khepra, OmniVis, SAVRpak and Bloom Labs. This cohort was selected from among hundreds of applications from around the world. Each went through a rigorous application and interview process before being selected because of their strong performance in four key elements: team, traction, product/service and market opportunity.

“It’s no secret that many of our world’s most pressing challenges are in the agriculture, food security and sustainability sectors,” said Alex Cate, director of entrepreneurship programs for HudsonAlpha. “The companies participating in this cohort are directly addressing these global challenges with unique technologies and solutions and are aligned with HudsonAlpha’s mission to improve life through discovery and application of breakthrough technologies.”

Together, gener8tor and HudsonAlpha aim to bring economic diversity and job growth to north Alabama. The HudsonAlpha Agtech Investment Accelerator is 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.

“Low crop yields coming out of 2021 have us on the precipice of a new wave of food-related conflict. Moving the needle in solving the world food crisis is what our VC investments and accelerator program are set to accomplish,” said Christopher Udall, managing director of the HudsonAlpha Agtech Investment Accelerator. “Scouting the global startup market for the best deep tech and hard science startups is both humbling and invigorating. We selected top founders whose ventures solve for food scarcity, nutrition, crop yield, sustainability, deep space exploration, and more, and then brought them to Huntsville, Alabama, for our program. As managing director, I am excited to invest in deep tech AgTech and serve the founders that are undoubtedly changing the world.”

The accelerator will conclude on June 29, 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 Udall.