A new Alabama accelerator is launching on the Gulf Coast.
In partnership with global venture firm and startup accelerator gener8tor, Innovation Portal has launched its new gBETA Gulf Coast accelerator focused on early stage technology-enabled startups. The model has a special focus on Industry 4.0 — the growing trend towards automation and data exchange in the manufacturing industry — and advanced manufacturing.
“Mobile, Alabama, is the home to epic celebrations like Mardi Gras and the Senior Bowl and is home for major industrial companies like Airbus, Austal, Outokumpu, AMNS, Mitsubishi Polysilicon, BASF, One Subsea, and many more,” said Todd Greer, executive director of Innovation Portal. “Now with the launch of the gBETA Gulf Coast at Innovation Portal, we will be tying the entrepreneurial community of the Gulf Coast closer into the growing engine of Industry 4.0 which is shaping the future of work, globally.”
Innovation Portal is a nonprofit incubator and innovation hub accelerating startup growth in the Gulf Coast region. The newly launched accelerator is powered by gener8tor’s gBETA program — a free, seven-week, zero-equity accelerator that provides startup founders with concierge coaching and access to gener8tor’s network of mentors, customers and investors across the United States. Together, gener8tor and Innovation Portal aim to bring economic diversity and job growth to the Gulf Coast region.
The program is designed to set a path for startups that graduate through the accelerator program to be considered for investment capital via Innovation Portal’s Portal Fund, gain potential local partnerships and be prepared to raise capital.
“We have been incredibly impressed by the work of gener8tor throughout the state of Alabama and the country at large, and delighted to partner with them and bring their proven track record to supporting ventures in this exciting program," said Henry O’Connor, Innovation Portal Board Chair.
The gBETA Gulf Coast accelerator will recruit startups in an effort to support startups based in or interested in relocating to Mobile. The accelerator will be the first of its kind in Mobile. It is made possible through the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit with the support of Regions Bank, ALFA and Alabama Power.
A program manager will lead recruitment of startups and guide founders through the programming, and gener8tor and Innovation Portal are currently hiring for the role.
