Do North Coworking announces inaugural cohort for Forest Products Accelerator

Vermont Business Magazine Do North Coworking and Northern Vermont University announce the first participants in the Forest Products Accelerator program. Seven companies from throughout the northeast will take part in this four-month program that’s open to startup and seed stage companies that are commercializing new and improved products, services, and technology in the forest industry.

“We’re excited about the impressive array of companies participating in our first cohort of the Forest Products Accelerator and for Vermont to play a role in the future of forestry innovation,” said Jared Reynolds, Manager of Do North Coworking and the Forest Products Accelerator. “These companies are addressing some of the most pressing industry challenges by developing new technology, energy and fuel solutions, and sustainable packaging and products.”

The program is focused on companies that are developing products that use low grade wood and byproducts, 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 to industry experts, customers, and suppliers.

The Accelerator kicked off on August 1 and participants take part in multi-day in-person and virtual workshops, webinars and panels, and receive coaching throughout the program. The Forest Products Accelerator is made possible with support from the Northern Borders Regional Commission and Northeastern Vermont Development Association.

The goal 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, biochar, biomass energy, technology, and sustainable packaging and products. The following companies are participating in the current cohort of the Forest Products Accelerator.

•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 odorless 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 sustainable sourced tree crops and tree products.
•Forward Forestry (New Hampshire) is building a platform that connects loggers to 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 available waste wood that can be utilized in a myriad of applications including the production of energy and water purification.

For more information about the Forest Products Accelerator, connecting with participating companies, or becoming a program sponsor, visit www.forestaccelerator.org or email info@forestaccelerator.org.

The Forest Products Accelerator is an initiative of Do North Coworking, located at 930 Broad St. in downtown Lyndonville, VT. Do North Coworking, a Northern Vermont University- Lyndon economic development initiative, provides coworking space and business services for 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.

Northern Vermont University is a two-campus institution of higher education that combines that best of our campuses’ national recognized liberal arts and professional programs. At Northern Vermont University, 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, high-quality options for learners 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 join together with Castleton University and Vermont Technical College to become Vermont State University, a reimagined higher education institution building on the strong legacies of founding institutions. Learn more at NorthernVermont.edu.

Lyndonville, Vt. — Northern Vermont University