“Our program is passionately focused on the founder because we believe it takes exceptional people to build extraordinary companies,” says Burunda Prince, managing director of The Farm
ATLANTA (PRWEB) September 20, 2018
Comcast NBCUniversal startup accelerator The Farm today released details about the 10 companies accepted to its Fall 2018 cohort.
The second class of The Farm includes entrepreneurs with masters and doctorate degrees in robotics, systems engineering, machine learning, and multicore processing. Technologies powering this cohort include virtual reality, extended reality, the Internet of Things (IOT), 3D visualization, and Blockchain. This exceptionally talented class has worked with artists including Ray Charles, Kanye West and Will Smith, as well as major brands including Tesla, NBC, and BET.
Further, the cohort is 18 percent female and 77 percent minority founders, making it one of the most diverse accelerator classes in Atlanta. Founders hail from the United States, Nigeria, India, and the United Kingdom.
“Our program is passionately focused on the founder because we believe it takes exceptional people to build extraordinary companies,” says Burunda Prince, managing director of The Farm. “We place a strong emphasis on leadership and cultivating cultural intelligence when building a company. When you have a business landscape where over 90 percent of startups fail, the strength of the founder and the company culture is vital to ensure long-term success.”
One promising startup in the drone technology space is using AI-powered computer vision to potentially save lives in natural disaster scenarios for hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. Another startup is streamlining corporate social responsibility by putting billions behind employees’ personal causes. Other startups in the class are focused on cloud services, immersive experiences, hardware solutions, and overcoming underrepresentation in STEM. The Farm program helps these teams identify and discover applications where these technologies provide real value in their respective markets.
Housed in The Battery, one of the hottest real estate properties in Metro Atlanta, The Farm provides early stage startups with the resources, access, expertise, and advice needed to succeed. The mentor network includes Comcast NBCUniversal executives and other leaders in technology, business, branding, and strategy. Participants are matched with mentors in their industries, using a program customized to the needs of each individual startup.
“The second cohort of The Farm continues to attract the best tech talent to Atlanta,” says Bill Connors, president of Comcast’s Central Division. “We welcome this impressive class of millennials and look forward to supporting the innovation and culture shift they bring to the Atlanta startup ecosystem.”
The 12-week program concludes with Demo Day on November 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Coca-Cola Roxy, where companies will pitch their businesses to investors, strategic partners, and community supporters. Early registration for the public event is encouraged. Accredited investors who are interested in an exclusive early viewing of the class are invited to register here for the Investor Only Preview event.
About The Farm
The Farm, a Comcast NBCUniversal startup accelerator powered by Boomtown, is a corporate accelerator focused on innovation. The Farm provides early-stage startups with the resources, access, expertise, and advice they need to succeed. The Farm’s twelve-week, twice-yearly program provides a customized curriculum, company-building guidance, industry mentorship, and a network of startup ecosystem supporters. Housed in The Battery Atlanta — a community of offices, shops, and restaurants next to the Atlanta Braves’ SunTrust Park —The Farm also offers co-working spaces, a cutting-edge hardware and 3D design lab, and premium incubator office space. The Farm is part of Comcast NBCUniversal’s LIFT program, which stands for “Leveraging Innovation For Tomorrow,” and builds on the spirit of entrepreneurship created by Comcast’s founder, Ralph Roberts.
About Boomtown
Boomtown supports great people in building great companies, with bespoke accelerators that help startups turn ideas into profitable, sustainable businesses. Boomtown invests in 16 industries and 34 technologies, customizing programs for each company's needs. Founders receive $20K in seed funding, $1.7MM+ in discounts and perks, personalized curriculum, strategic staff support, a compelling and powerful Demo Day pitch, office space and amenities, expert mentors, alumni connections, and exposure to potential customers and funding. For more information, visit http://www.boomtownaccelerators.com.