The Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, AgLaunch, Sync Space and The Biz Foundry are partnering to offer a 3-week virtual bootcamp to develop promising agtech startups. Applicants should be innovators who are interested in growing their agricultural startups and working directly with farmers or local food businesses. The bootcamp will be held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from July 6-22, 2021 from 12-2:30pm CST (1-3:30pm EST). Teams accepted into the program will experience best-in-class agricultural entrepreneurship programming with engagement from members of the AgLaunch Farmer Network, as well as a national network of investors and mentors.
Companies from across the globe that provide competitive advantages or new market opportunities for row crops, vegetable and specialty crops, livestock, and value-added production in food and beverage and are interested in partnering with farmers and businesses in Tennessee based on the unique nature of Tennessee’s agriculture sector are encouraged to apply. Eligible teams do not have to be located in Tennessee and can include: new startups focused on agriculture; faculty/student teams commercializing ag-related technology; and existing agriculture companies exploring new innovation.
“Our partnership with Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, Sync Space and Biz Foundry was such a success last year that we are teaming up again to help founders with early-stage technologies learn how to take their company to the next level,” Pete Nelson, Executive Director of AgLaunch, said. “We’re hoping that this bootcamp will give participating teams the opportunity to gain the resources and support they need to be successful in the agriculture industry, particularly for our farmers in Tennessee.”
Participating teams will receive agricultural entrepreneurship programming through AgLaunch, and will be connected with business expertise from KEC, Sync Space and the Biz Foundry. All four organizations are Launch Tennessee Network Partners. Training will be provided on agricultural markets, investors and mentorship; the framework for organizing, validating and communicating their ideas; and the opportunity to perfect their pitch. Teams will also gain consideration for participation in the AgLaunch365 program and the TN AgTech Mentor Network.
Applications are being accepted through midnight EST on Friday June 4, 2021. Entrepreneurs with an idea or an agtech startup who are interested in the virtual bootcamp can apply here.
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About AgLaunch
AgLaunch attracts, creates, and grows agtech startups, facilitates the development of new agriculture and food value-chains, and builds collaborative farmer networks in the Mid-South, with a commitment to intentional inclusion. AgLaunch was formed through a joint initiative between Tennessee Department of Agriculture and Memphis Biowork Foundation. AgLaunch365 is a farm-centric innovation platform for agriculture designed to calibrate support with the specific needs of agtech startups and the agricultural industry. AgLaunch365 is made possible through partnerships with Innova, Start Co., TN Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Mid-America, Farm Journal Media, Archer Malmo, and Baker Donelson.
About Knoxville Entrepreneur Center
Knoxville Entrepreneur Center is a business accelerator located in Market Square that serves as the front door for entrepreneurs in our region, and a resource for anyone looking to start or grow a business here. By nurturing and supporting a culture of entrepreneurship, we are fostering innovation, creativity and job growth within our community. KEC is a place for networking, education and teaching others what we’ve learned. We are a mentor-driven business accelerator, a shared workspace and a source of mediocre coffee. As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, KEC is funded through sponsorships, partnerships, grants and membership fees. In addition to support from the City of Knoxville and the State of Tennessee, KEC relies on the generous contributions of leading East Tennessee corporations, successful entrepreneurs and those who have a vested interest in the success of new businesses in our region.
About Sync Space
Sync Space is launching the first regional business accelerator in Northeast Tennessee that connects entrepreneurs and startups who have products or services that can benefit from our region’s assets or whose product offering can be a solution to a challenge facing our region. With partners and industries that can offer mentorship, opportunity for investment, and pilot program opportunities, our accelerator programs can help startups be successful in Northeast Tennessee and beyond.
About The Biz Foundry
The Biz Foundry is Upper Cumberland’s entrepreneur center. We are a non-profit located in the heart of downtown Cookeville with new locations opening in Sparta and McMinnville in the coming months. We believe that entrepreneurship and cooperation are intrinsic to economic and community vitality, so we work to foster that vitality in Upper Cumberland.
