NH biz incubator looks to hit sophomore year running

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - New Hampshire startup incubator, Alpha Loft, today announced the launch of Accelerate NH, the state's premier startup accelerator program. The three month intensive program will aid startup founders in accelerating the development of their innovative companies.

Program director Joshua Cyr explains, "Founders of startups experience multiple complex challenges. Building an innovative product is just the beginning. Validating customer interest, measuring customer demand and market opportunity, iterating based on market feedback, and developing and scaling a business model. Our mission is to aid founders along this path."

A small group of successful applicants will receive mentorship, support systems, weekly programming, workspace, and much more. The workspace is available in Durham, Portsmouth, and Manchester, NH. The program will conclude with a large Demo Day event, during which the entrepreneurs present their companies.

The inaugural 2015 program brought six companies through Accelerate NH followed by continued support and business growth. HappsNow, BevNow, VidFall, Bluz, Pickup Patrol, and Protett.

Accelerate NH 2015 alumnus Ryan McCann explained "I can't say enough good things about Accelerate NH. The guidance, advice, lessons, and support from Mark Kaplan and Joshua Cyr were invaluable. The teamwork for all companies involved, weekly lessons, and mentorship, made Accelerate NH, hands down, one of the best experiences for my company, HappsNow, and my own personal growth."

Alumna Maria Edvalson, of PickUp Patrol, added "When we entered the Accelerate NH program we had a great product, but not a clear idea of how to turn it into a business. The Alpha Loft team showed us how. The connections have been invaluable. We received tremendous support from our mentors and many of these relationships have continued on since."

There are many traditional accelerators across the country, but very few in New England. In New Hampshire there is only Accelerate NH. Frequently startups and their founders had to move out of state in order to follow their dream and participate in an accelerator program. "Moving to another state is not an option for many startup founders. It isn't good for New Hampshire either." Says Cyr.

Starting today Alpha Loft is accepting applications. While they do not require that a startup is from New Hampshire they do require that the company locates in NH. Applications will be accepted until January 17th. A panel of judges will review the applicants and select a handful of startups to be part of the 2016 program. The successful applicants will be announced in mid-February. The program itself starts at the beginning of March and lasts for 3 months. At the end of the program Alpha Loft will hold an Accelerate NH Demo Day for interested members of the startup ecosystem including but not limited to investors, business leaders, media and more.

For more information and to apply visit http://alphaloft.org/accelerate-nh/