Startups encouraged for participation in CO.LAB's Sustainable Mobility Accelerator initiative
In the heart of the United States, Chattanooga has earned the nickname "Silicon Valley of Freight" due to its unique concentration of freight, technology, and supply chain companies. This thriving ecosystem has caught the attention of The Company Lab (CO.LAB), a non-profit organisation with a 16-year history of supporting entrepreneurship.
CO.LAB is currently looking for its next cohort for the Sustainable Mobility Accelerator program, a six-week initiative that focuses on customer acquisition strategies and pilot implementations. Startups interested in applying can visit the CO.LAB website at https://thecompanylab.org/sustainable-mobility-accelerator/ to learn more and submit their applications.
The program distinguishes itself from traditional accelerators with its corporate matching approach. CO.LAB ensures that each accepted team is matched with a corporate partner for potential pilot or first-class customer opportunities. This partnership not only provides valuable real-world testing grounds for startups but also fosters collaboration between innovative startups and established companies.
For the latest cohort, CO.LAB is specifically seeking startups with traction in areas including electric vehicles and infrastructure, autonomous vehicles and infrastructure, supply chain innovations, urban planning, smart traffic solutions, automotive battery technology, quantum technology, and more. Eligibility is dependent on growth stage and industry relevance to sustainable mobility and related technologies.
Chattanooga's appeal as a hub for mobility innovation is further bolstered by its strategic location. Over 80% of all U.S. freight travels through Chattanooga due in part to the convergence of three Interstates - I-75, I-24, and I-59. The city also hosts the nation's largest urban testbed for connected vehicle infrastructure, with 120 smart intersections spread across the city.
Participants are not required to permanently relocate to Chattanooga, but several past participants have established operations in the city after completing the program. The city is home to the country's first commercial quantum network, hosted by EPB's gig-speed and quantum-enabled grid, offering startups unique opportunities to leverage cutting-edge technology.
In summary, startups should apply online when the program opens enrollment, demonstrate traction in these key areas of sustainable mobility and tech, and be prepared for a competitive selection to receive funding and mentorship in Chattanooga’s innovation ecosystem. The Sustainable Mobility Accelerator program offers a unique opportunity for startups to tap into Chattanooga's thriving freight and technology ecosystem while receiving support from experienced mentors, technologists, industry experts, venture capitalists, and local corporate partners.
- Startups focusing on supply chain innovations or technology related to electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, smart traffic solutions, automotive battery technology, quantum technology, and more, may find the Sustainable Mobility Accelerator program in Chattanooga, known as the "Silicon Valley of Freight", an excellent opportunity to advance their businesses.
- The technology-driven supply chain ecosystem in Chattanooga, bolstered by its strategic location and the presence of three Interstates, serves as an ideal testing ground for startups participating in the Sustainable Mobility Accelerator program, offering them the chance to collaborate with established companies and leverage cutting-edge technology like the country's first commercial quantum network.
