Accelerate South, a hybrid business accelerator program, is now accepting applications from innovative healthcare startups. Ten startup companies will be invited to participate in the program and receive access to titans in this nation’s healthcare industry. These healthcare investing partners are willing to open their facilities’ doors to test innovative products/services, mentor startups and potentially invest in the ten startups. Selected startups will have access to the program’s C-level medical expert mentors, business expert advisers, professional service grants, MBA candidate interns, tailored curricula, travel/lodging reimbursements along with office space in the progressive Opportunity Machine. Applicants may apply by visiting the Accelerate South website, www.acceleratesouth.com. Deadline for entry into the program is July 15, 2018.
During this unique three-month collaboration, participating healthcare leaders are hoping to find and test products/services aligned with their key industry needs. Program partners include LHC Group, Acadian Companies, Lafayette General Foundation, VieMed, The Perret Group and the list continues to grow. "You have three of the largest healthcare companies in the nation all within five miles of each other it’s a pretty unique place" Blaise Zuschlag adds, "I think with this accelerator program really we are looking to partner with any organization that can help us do our job better."
"If they (companies) are (ready) not only do we give them access to our sandbox to our subject matter experts to our cash but we almost always make them our first client" Cian Robinson Director Lafayette General Foundation. The ten identified startups will have the opportunity to receive investment dollars from the programs group of investors, which includes these listed entities, as well as individual SEC, accredited investors. No upfront equity exchange is required to participate and investment opportunity will follow the second pitch competition of the program.
Accelerate South will run from August 24, 2018, until late November. The hybrid business accelerator model makes the program ideal for growing healthcare businesses throughout the United States. Companies will work through individually tailored curricula weekly and at different capacities alternating between onsite weeks and virtual weeks. Furthermore, the program’s onsite week requirements will run Thursday and Friday. "There is a great opportunity for young companies in this area to grow and that’s one reason why we have invested in it (Accelerate South)." explains Brach Meyers, Senior Vice President LHC Group"(LHC Group) started in a very small community of 200 people and now has grown to a public organization with 1.2 billion dollars in revenue. "
