AgLaunch, the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, 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 12:00-2:30 pm CST. 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.
