Launch Invitation for Startups: Sustainable Mobility Accelerator Program via CO.LAB
Chattanooga's Sustainable Mobility Accelerator Offers Unique Opportunities for Startups
Chattanooga, Tennessee, has earned the nickname "The Silicon Valley of Freight" due to its unique concentration of freight, technology, and supply chain companies. This moniker was bestowed upon the city by Steve Case, founder of Revolution. The city is now home to the country's first commercial quantum network, thanks to EPB's gig-speed and quantum-enabled grid, and hosts the nation's largest urban testbed for connected vehicle infrastructure, with 120 smart intersections spread across it [1].
The City's strategic location as a major freight hub, handling about 85% of the nation's goods via highways, and its advanced infrastructure make it an ideal place for mobility startups. Recognising this potential, The Company Lab (CO.LAB) is seeking applications for its Sustainable Mobility Accelerator program [2].
A Distinctive Approach
What sets CO.LAB's Sustainable Mobility Accelerator apart is its corporate matching approach. Startups accepted into the program are paired with corporate partners for potential pilot projects or first-class customer opportunities, ensuring a direct connection to the industry [1]. The program specifically targets startups innovating in sustainable mobility fields such as freight technology, electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous vehicles, supply chain innovations, urban planning, smart traffic solutions, automotive battery technology, and quantum technologies [2].
Supporting Mobility Startups
The six-week intensive program focuses on customer acquisition and pilot implementation in-market, allowing startups to test and refine their products in real operational environments without requiring permanent relocation [1]. Startups also benefit from direct access to corporate partners, an initial founder-friendly $20K investment, and consideration for an additional $100K funding post-program [2].
In addition, startups are connected with a network of mentors, technologists, industry experts, venture capitalists, and local corporate partners to accelerate development and market entry [2]. The program is designed to support startups that align with Chattanooga’s freight ecosystem and sustainable mobility vision, contributing to the region’s competitive advantage and innovation culture [1].
A Rich History of Entrepreneurship
CO.LAB's Sustainable Mobility Accelerator is part of the organisation's 16-year history of supporting entrepreneurship. To apply for the program, visit https://thecompanylab.org/sustainable-mobility-accelerator/. The latest cohort of the accelerator is seeking startups with traction in the areas of Connected & Autonomous Vehicles, Supply Chain & Logistics, Smart Infrastructure, EVs & Grid Optimization, AI/IoT for Urban Mobility, Micromobility, Mobility Data, and Predictive Analytics.
With over 80% of all U.S. freight travelling through Chattanooga due to the convergence of three Interstates - I-75, I-24, and I-59 - the city presents a fertile ground for mobility startups. The concentration of industry expertise and freight in Chattanooga has created an innovative ecosystem that is ripe for disruption and growth.
[1] "Chattanooga's Sustainable Mobility Accelerator Program: A Unique Opportunity for Startups," The Company Lab, link
[2] "CO.LAB's Sustainable Mobility Accelerator: Empowering Mobility Startups in Chattanooga," Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, link
- The Sustainable Mobility Accelerator by CO.LAB offers unique opportunities for startups, particularly those innovating in areas like freight technology or electric vehicles, due to Chattanooga's status as a major hub for freight, technology, and supply chain companies.
- Financing is available for accepted startups, with an initial $20K investment and a potential additional $100K post-program, as well as access to venture capitalists and industry experts, enhancing their development and market entry.
- The program focuses on customer acquisition and pilot implementation, utilizing Chattanooga's advanced infrastructure and urban testbed for connected vehicle technology, allowing startups to test and refine their products in real-world business and lifestyle contexts.
