The gBETA program a free, seven-week accelerator that is designed to help startups gain early customer traction on their product or idea and establish metrics that can make them competitive applicants for full-time, equity-based accelerators or seed investment.

“Bronze Valley serves as an important element in our efforts to enhance the vitality of Alabama’s innovation ecosystem, and the selection of the first class of startups represents a major milestone for the Accelerator,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.

“The guidance and mentorship these entrepreneurs will receive from Bronze Valley will play a vital role in launching their companies to the next level,” he added.

Participating in the program at Bronze Valley are:

• Acclinate Genentics (co-founders: Del Smith and Tiffany Jordan Whitlow)
• Babypalooza (CEO and founder: Cecilia Pearson)
• Cancer U (CEO and co-founder: Andrea Wilson Woods)
• H2T Digital Co. (CEO and co-founder: Darius Foster)
• Pmngr (co-founder: James Kemp)

“The gener8tor and Bronze Valley partnership connects local and national partners, mentors and investors to support underrepresented founders in our region,” said Haley Medved Kendrick, Bronze Valley Accelerator Director.

“The inaugural cohort showcases the creativity, resiliency and bravery of our people, and offers a clear example of the innovation happening in our state.”

Gener8tor said the 50 startups in its program are located across the country, and represent a wide variety of industries and verticals, including the Internet of Things, Medtech, SaaS (software as a service) and beyond. The 10 programs kicked on Oct. 1 and are being held virtually.

Bronze Valley Accelerator’s cohort will be highlighted during a Virtual Pitch Night on at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. For more information and to RSVP, ​click here​.

The accelerator is supported by ​Bronze Valley​, ​Alabama Power​ and the ​Alabama Department of Commerce​. The Bronze Valley Accelerator is held three times per year, with five Alabama-based companies accepted per cohort to ensure a high level of individualized attention.

The Bronze Valley Accelerator works with companies across all industries and business models.