Nine tech start-ups, selected from a field of global competitors, are innovating and transforming the energy and logistics landscape in Chattanooga, the US and beyond.
One Montreal company is creating a home battery storage system to reduce peak energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Another startup is redefining the metal and plastic manufacturing industry with a software-as-a-service production optimization platform. WEAV3D – a Norcross, Georgia, company – is reducing carbon emissions with inexpensive, high-performance, lightweight materials for use in the transportation industry.
And BrdgTRK – proudly based in the Scenic City – uses cloud-based hardware to give clients end-to-end, real-time visibility of shipping goods.
What do they all have in common?
Chattanooga’s CO.LAB.
Earlier this fall, The Company Lab, or CO.LAB — announced generous back-to-back support for nine global start-ups, with each announcement showcasing the nonprofit’s powerful work supporting early-stage startups in the sustainable mobility sector.
- In September, CO.LAB and gener8tor announced five new startups for the second Sustainable Mobility Accelerator cohort.
Selected from a competitive applicant pool of over 132 global companies from 19 different countries, these five startups will each receive access to training and programs tailor-made for Chattanooga’s technology ecosystem along with a $20,000 initial investment with a possible $100,000 in additional funding.
“The opportunity to match the top mobility startups with Chattanooga’s world-renowned resources is always incredibly exciting,” said CO.LAB CEO Tasia Malakasis. “Our goal is to not only help these founders gain unparalleled experiences in Chattanooga, but to fully integrate them as the next up-and-coming technology business in the Southeast.”
Here are the five start-ups, according to CO.LAB:
- SensFlo (La Jolla, California) offers a software-as-a-service production optimization platform redefining efficiency in the metal and plastic manufacturing industries.
- WEAV3D (Norcross, Georgia) is tackling global carbon emissions in the transportation and built environment with inexpensive, high-performance, lightweight materials.
- RueData (Mexico City, Mexico) is a software-as-a-service solution for transport fleet tire management. Clients like Cemes, Heineken, and JBS have seen up to 30% reduction in tire costs with RueData.
- Moduly (Montreal, Quebec) is reducing peak energy consumption and carbon emissions with a plug-and-play home battery storage solution.
- Motoring Labs (Indianapolis, Indiana) leverages advanced computer vision technology to extract actionable insights in real-time from commercial fleet and warehouse traffic for clients in the logistics sector.
“Each of these companies reflects strong positive potential for developing products and services that could support the growth of Chattanooga’s existing industries,” said EPB CEO David Wade. “And, at the same time, we would welcome any of these start-ups to locate operations in our community and become a local employer.”
- Also in September, CO.LAB and TennSMART proudly announced the newest round of winners in the Sustainable Mobility Reverse Pitch Challenge.
“This annual competition challenges innovators, founders, researchers and forward-thinkers to address issues presented by some of the world’s top corporate and industry leaders,” states Angela Poffenbaugh, Director of Communications and Marketing for CO.LAB.
Selected from 14 top applicants, the four winning teams received access to TennSMART mentoring programs, potential corporate partners and investors and “top priority in CO.LAB’s Sustainable Mobility Accelerator diligence process.”
According to CO.LAB, the winners include:
- BrdgTRK (Chattanooga, TN): Provides a cloud-based hardware solution that gives users end-to-end visibility of shipping goods in real-time.
- Ganaio (El Cajon, CA): Developer of a patented hardware solution that extends the driving range of electric vehicles.
- Minco Technology Labs (Austin, TX): Provides flexible fuel cell propulsion that has a lower cost of ownership than legacy propulsion systems.
- Naycel (Lake Mary, FL): Decarbonizes the battery supply chain by converting carbon gas into responsibly manufactured critical battery graphite materials.
“Chattanooga’s strategic location and support from corporations like TVA, EPB, UTC, Qubitekk and Kenco Group make it a prime hub for logistics and mobility innovation,” said Malakasis. “By nurturing founders solving complex challenges in the movement of people, goods, energy, and data, we’re paving the road to cleaner, more efficient, more accessible mobility solutions that will transform entire communities. When we invest in these founders, we invest in a better and more connected future for all.”
