The Illinois AgTech Accelerator kicked off the 2023 gener8tor AgTech cohort on March 20, with Serra Ventures serving as a key partner. The accelerator invested $100k in five high-growth AgTech and agriculture startups, providing a concierge, white-glove experience to each of them.
EnterpriseWorks startup Boston Bioprocess was among the five companies chosen to participate. The others included Milwaukee-based Agricycle; Toronto-based Just Vertical; Brazil-based DigiFarmz Smart Agriculture; and Boston-based RevivBio.
Startup founders pitched their companies to investors, community partners and the public at a showcase event at Parkland College on June 6 to conclude the program.
The gener8tor AgTech Accelerator is designed to set a path for startups emerging ag and food technologies succeed by leveraging local, regional and global partnerships with investors, corporations and academic institutions.
“We’re excited to partner with gener8tor to help support early-stage AgTech and Agriculture startups in the Midwest,” said Dennis Beard, managing partner at Serra Ventures. “Illinois is home to world-class institutions like the University of Illinois, and we believe this partnership can help grow the next generation of startups in the region.”
Other program supporters include Agri-Fab, GEM Realty Capital, University of Illinois Research Park, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, and BASF.
Startup companies and founders interested in learning more about the Illinois AgTech Accelerator and resources or applying to a future program are encouraged to visit the gener8tor website.