Prototyping Hardware Accelerator Track Focuses on AgTech Solutions
New track of the Prototyping Hardware Accelerator will support agriculture startups with prototyping and growth.
Rev is excited to announce the addition of an AgTech track to the summer Prototyping Hardware Accelerator. Supported by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s University Center program, the track leverages university assets to build a regional agrifood ecosystem that supports innovation, high-growth entrepreneurship, residency, and inclusiveness while improving the economic conditions for the ag sector in New York state and the Northeast.
The new AgTech Prototyping Hardware Accelerator, which will operate in tandem with Rev: Ithaca Startup Works’ successful Prototyping Hardware Accelerator this summer, is designed for hardware and physical product entrepreneurs working on innovations in agricultural areas such as farming operations, animal husbandry, and food processing.
“The AgTech Accelerator complements Grow-NY’s work drawing new energy into the region’s food system. The Grow-NY competition develops early-stage startups into world-class winners, and now the accelerator can act as a pipeline to the competition, helping would-be innovators turn their ideas into actionable plans and prototypes,” said Grow-NY program director, Jenn Smith.
During the intensive 11-week summer program, which begins on May 31, 2022, selected participants will engage in curriculum, mentorship, and prototyping to determine if their ag tech hardware solutions are commercially desirable, technologically viable, and economically feasible. The program provides prototyping lab space with access to state-of-the-art equipment and materials to build multiple rounds of prototypes, entrepreneurship training, workshops tailored to the ag tech industry, one-on-one coaching, and pitch training. The program culminates in a public Demo Day attended by potential investors and customers where participants pitch their innovations.
Rev’s Prototyping Hardware Accelerator is celebrating its 7th year of training hardware product startups, and program alumni have raised over $15 million in venture capital to date.
Major goals of the AgTech Prototyping Hardware Accelerator include leveraging the existing agriculture and food production ecosystem to foster innovation and create opportunity, strengthening the connective tissue between players in the Grow-NY region agrifood system, and planting the seeds for future Grow-NY business competition winners.
“The Prototyping program is unique in its support of early-stage business concepts” said Rev Hardware Accelerator program director, Ken Rother. “Adding a track focused to the food system is a natural fit given the wealth of resources and customers in the region.”
Applications for Summer 2022 of the AgTech Prototyping Hardware Accelerator, and the other tracks in Rev’s Prototyping Hardware Accelerator, are open now and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The program is free, and anyone can apply. For more information, visit www.revithaca.com/hardware or email [email protected].