A transplant from New York City was selected as managing director of the Bronze Valley Investment Accelerator program.
Christine Concepción, who is relocating to Birmingham, will lead the startup accelerator program, a partnership between venture capital platforms Bronze Valley and gener8tor, based in Birmingham. It aims to support high-growth, innovative and technology-enabled companies created by diverse, underrepresented and underestimated founders.
“Democratizing access to venture capital for underrepresented founders has been not only a professional goal but a deeply personal endeavor,” Concepción said. “A more equitable landscape is not only morally driven, but financially advantageous to local economies and the national economy. Now more than ever, in times of economic uncertainty, providing capital and offering resources to the companies selected for gener8tor’s Bronze Valley accelerator will bring jobs to the community and invigorate the great American entrepreneurial spirit."
Gener8tor is a nationally ranked accelerator that invests in high-growth startups and supports the growth of these startups through its network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, angel investors and venture capitalists in more than 35 communities. The Bronze Valley Accelerator is operated in partnership with Bronze Valley, a Birmingham-based nonprofit, CDFI early-stage venture capital fund.
Concepción brings previous startup and financial industry knowledge and insight to the gener8tor team. Prior to joining gener8tor, she was a principal at VU Venture Partners on the FinTech team, investing and guiding startups into successful exits. Christine’s career also includes founding and building a FinTech gaming platform for Gen Z.
Concepción's prior experience includes a background in consulting and investment banking. She earned a master's degree in business administration from Columbia Business School with a focus on entrepreneurship and a bachelor's degree in film and media studies with a minor in economics, magna cum laude, from Columbia University in New York.
“Christine is the ideal person for this role,” said Neill Wright, president and CEO of Bronze Valley. “She has the knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to meet the demands and opportunities it presents."
The Bronze Valley Investment Accelerator is held once per year, with five diverse and/or female-led companies accepted per year to ensure a high level of individualized attention. It is currently accepting applications. The 12-week program will launch Jan. 26 and conclude on April 27 with a Startup Showcase.
The news of the new director comes as gener8tor, in partnership with Prosper, also recently kicked off its inaugural gBETA Prosper Healthtech cohort.
