Vermont Business Journal Do North Coworking and North Vermont University announce the first participants in the Forest Products Accelerator program. Seven companies from across the Northeast will participate in this four-month program that is open to start-up and start-up companies that are commercializing new and improved products, services and technologies in the forest industry.
“We are excited about the impressive group of companies participating in our first Forest Products Accelerator cohort and for Vermont to play a role in the future of forestry innovation,” said Jared Reynolds, Do North Coworking and Accelerator Manager of Forest Products. . “These companies are tackling some of the industry’s most pressing challenges by developing new technologies, energy and fuel solutions, packaging and sustainable products.”
The program focuses on companies that are developing products that use low-quality wood and by-products, technology that improves forestry operations, or wood-based fuels and energy systems.
It offers participating companies a rigorous commercialization curriculum to develop their business case, business model and go-to-market plan and connections with industry experts, customers and suppliers.
The accelerator launched on August 1 and participants attend multi-day in-person and virtual workshops, webinars and panels and receive training throughout the program. The Forest Products Accelerator is made possible with the support of the Northern Frontier Regional Commission and the Northeast Vermont Development Association.
The aim of the accelerator is to support forestry-focused companies to turn new technology into sustainable and impactful businesses. Participating companies are focused on new types of wood pellets, biofuel, biomass energy, technology and packaging and sustainable products. The following companies are participating in the current Forest Products Accelerator cohort.
•Applied Biorefinery Sciences (New York) is developing a water-based biorefinery technology using Hot Water Extraction to improve the production of fuel pellets, pulp, products and chemicals from biomass.
•Farm to Flame (Pennsylvania) is developing a system to provide clean and affordable renewable electricity to medium and large commercial operations using smokeless and windless biomass electricity generators.
•Sylvacurl (Vermont) produces biodegradable and compostable packaging made from wood curls that have a low environmental impact.
•Forestopia (Massachusetts) is developing a platform to expand market opportunities for sustainably sourced tree crops and tree products.
•Forward Forestry (New Hampshire) is building a platform that connects loggers with lumber mills that will buy their logs and coordinates the sale of those logs.
•Gaia AI (Massachusetts) is developing an AI-based platform for forest management that addresses the challenges of carbon accounting and verification.
•Green State Biochar (Vermont) is developing biochar from disposable wood waste that can be used in a multitude of applications including energy production and water purification.
For more information about the Forest Products Accelerator, to connect with participating companies or to become a program sponsor, visit www.forestaccelerator.org or email info@forestaccelerator.org.
Forest Products Accelerator is an initiative of Do North Coworking, located at 930 Broad St. in downtown Lyndonville, VT. Do North Coworking, an economic development initiative of the University of Vermont Vermont-Lyndon, provides workspace and business services to entrepreneurs, small businesses and remote workers with workspace and learning initiatives, including the Forest Products Accelerator and KickStartNEK . For more information visit www.donorthcoworking.com.
Vermont University Vermont is a two-campus institution of higher education that combines the best of our campuses’ nationally recognized liberal arts and professional programs. At Vermont University Vermont, our goal is to guide curious, motivated, and engaged students on their paths to success and their places in the world. NVU Online offers flexible, affordable, and high-quality options for students pursuing their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as credit and non-credit certificates and professional development courses. On July 1, 2023, Northern Vermont University will merge with Castleton University and Vermont Technical College to become Vermont State University, a reimagined institution of higher learning that builds on the strong legacy of the founding institutions . Learn more at NorthernVermont.edu.
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