Innovative Startups Shine at Atlanta's Cox Cleantech Accelerator Event
On October 30, 2025, Atlanta witnessed the launch of the inaugural Cox Cleantech Accelerator LIVE, an event hosted by Cox Enterprises, gener8tor, and the Georgia Cleantech Innovation Hub. This remarkable showcase brought together ten leading startups that are pushing the boundaries of environmental innovation. Each company participating is on a mission to create a cleaner world while also ensuring financial success for their customers. The event served not just as a platform for these emerging companies but also as an important nexus for connecting them with a network of investors, business leaders, and industry partners dedicated to scaling sustainable solutions.
Jack Semrau, the Atlanta Venture Ecosystem lead at Cox Enterprises, emphasized the organization’s commitment to fostering an ecosystem that prioritizes long-term, scalable solutions to climate change. "At Cox, our goal is not just to support individual companies but to create a comprehensive environment where innovative ideas can flourish. Events like Cox Cleantech Accelerator LIVE allow investors to engage directly with the founders who are pioneering technologies that benefit both businesses and society," he stated.
Cox Enterprises has invested strategically over the last decade to establish Atlanta as a prominent tech hub, having supported over 400 startups. This community-focused approach has unlocked a plethora of new ideas and created significant job opportunities. The participating startups showcased various innovative approaches to address pressing contemporary challenges, from enhancing the resilience of utility infrastructures to enabling corporations and governmental bodies to reduce energy consumption and produce reusable resources.
"Atlanta is rapidly establishing itself as a hub for cleantech innovation, and it's exciting to be a catalyst for entrepreneurs aiming to harness this momentum," remarked Miguel Granier, the director of the Cox Cleantech Accelerator. He observed that the showcased startups are tackling critical issues ranging from renewable energy and sustainable transportation to food systems and waste reduction. The program aims to connect these entrepreneurs with the mentorship, resources, and investment they require to scale their businesses effectively.
During the event, Granier led an engaging panel discussion that included investors Micah Kotch, a partner at Blackhorn Ventures, and Anthony Oni, a managing partner at Elevate Future Fund with Energy Impact Partners. This panel offered valuable insights regarding energy and cleantech investments, particularly in the context of America’s ongoing efforts to rebuild its factories and industries. Their discussions also encompassed strategic methodologies to enhance the cleantech movement within Atlanta.
The Cox Cleantech Accelerator is structured as a 12-week program aimed at nurturing early-stage cleantech startups. This initiative reflects Cox Enterprises' enduring commitment to sustainability, a mission underpinned by over $2 billion invested in cleantech businesses and technologies since 2007. By nurturing new ventures, Cox is helping to cultivate economic growth alongside environmental improvements across Georgia and the wider Southeast region.
In collaboration with gener8tor—a global venture firm—and the Georgia Cleantech Innovation Hub, the Accelerator program prioritizes support for diverse founders while establishing Atlanta as a leading destination for cleantech innovation. The inaugural cohorts have attracted applications from startups across the United States and internationally, highlighting the region’s expanding role as a hub for sustainable technology and economic development.
To learn more about the Cox Cleantech Accelerator and this year's showcased startups, visit CoxCleantech.com/acceleratorlive25. You can also view a recording of the showcase on the same website.
About Cox Enterprises: Founded over 125 years ago and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Cox Enterprises is dedicated to empowering individuals to pave the way for a better future. It operates as a leader in broadband, automotive, and media industries while also functioning as a preeminent investment platform focused on emerging technologies in agriculture, renewable energy, and public sector software. The company generates $23 billion in annual revenue and has a unique history steeped in community service and innovation.
About gener8tor: gener8tor is a global venture firm and accelerator network devoted to supporting startups, workers, artists, and musicians across different demographics, including race and gender. This organization collaborates with companies, government entities, universities, and nonprofits, operating accelerator programs and events in over 45 communities spanning 25 states and three countries. Acknowledged as one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators by Fast Company in both 2021 and 2022, gener8tor was honored as the Global Venture Capital Firm of the Year by the International Trade Council in 2022.