Cox Enterprises Launches Inaugural Cleantech Residency Program for Startups
In an exciting development for the startup ecosystem,
Cox Enterprises has officially announced its inaugural cohort of the
Cox Cleantech Residency Program. The program will support ten early-stage startups focused on advancing infrastructure, manufacturing, and climate technologies. Launched on
August 6, 2026, this initiative aims to boost the commercialization of innovative solutions and strengthen the Southeast's innovation economy.
About the Program
The Cox Cleantech Residency is a collaboration between Cox Enterprises, gener8tor, and the Georgia Cleantech Innovation Hub. The six-week program is designed to fast-track the development and market introduction of pioneering technologies, providing each selected startup with a
$10,000 stipend, intensive programming, and invaluable support from Cox’s vast network of corporate partners and industry leaders.
The startups were selected from a highly competitive group of 75 applicants and will spend their residency period in
Atlanta, connecting with seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and experts to develop their innovative concepts further.
Meet the First Cohort
1.
Accio Labs (Atlanta, GA): Focuses on using AI to aid electric utilities in efficiently processing operational data to enhance decision-making.
2.
Ecoatex (Athens, GA): Specializes in converting agricultural waste into bio-based materials as eco-friendly alternatives for various industries.
3.
Jexim (Buford, GA): Develops sustainable paving products from recycled materials, including spent coffee grounds.
4.
Monte Caldera Technologies (Miami, FL): Utilizes AI to optimize the discovery and development of new materials in various sectors such as batteries and biotechnology.
5.
Penny Pickup (Detroit, MI): Offers a software platform coordinating zero-emission micromobility vehicles for urban deliveries.
6.
Regenerative Growth Technologies (Atlanta, GA): Enables the on-site conversion of organic waste to biofertilizer, promoting sustainable farming techniques.
7.
Revco (Austin, TX): Innovates mobile clean energy solutions to replace diesel generators at construction sites and events.
8.
R-Fusion (Boone, NC): Introduces manufacturing technologies that embed performance features in textiles, significantly reducing resource use.
9.
VIVISTRA (Acworth, GA): Helps manufacturers identify defects in components prior to failure, enhancing reliability and decreasing waste.
10.
Watchfuly (Cary, NC): Merges AI with real-time grid data to support electric utilities in understanding infrastructure health and capacity expansion.
A Vision for the Future
According to
Jack Semrau, Atlanta Venture Ecosystem lead at Cox Enterprises, this program is about connecting entrepreneurs with vital resources to reach their potential. He emphasized, “Programs like the Cox Cleantech Residency help founders get from zero to one by connecting them with the people, resources, and opportunities they need.” The startups in this cohort represent a diverse group of innovators tackling significant challenges while laying the groundwork for industry leadership and long-term value creation.
Marie Northington, program director at gener8tor, echoed these sentiments, stating, “The founders in this inaugural cohort are tackling complex challenges with technologies that have the potential to reshape industries.” By bringing together these innovators, the program further solidifies the Southeast’s status as a burgeoning hub for clean technology.
Commitment to Innovation
Cox Enterprises is dedicated to investing in transformative technologies, having allocated more than
$3 billion toward cleantech initiatives in recent years. The company is also recognized for its commitment to sustainable practices through investments in various projects, including:
- - Cox Farms: The largest greenhouse operator in North America supplying fresh produce while minimizing transportation emissions.
- - Nexus Circular: Pioneering advanced recycling technologies to divert plastic waste from landfills.
- - Cox Cleantech Accelerator: An investment program helping promising cleantech startups secure funding and expert guidance to prepare for expansion.
Cox Enterprises continues to fortify pathways for startups developing transformative technologies while actively pursuing investments in the next generation of industry-defining cleantech innovations. For further details about the
Cox Cleantech Residency, interested parties can visit
Cox Cleantech.
About Cox Enterprises
Founded in
1898, Cox Enterprises is a privately held global company operating across multiple sectors including automotive, broadband, renewable energy, and agriculture, with a mission to create a better future through innovation and commitment to people, the planet, and progress.
About gener8tor and Georgia Cleantech Innovation Hub
Gener8tor drives economic growth through innovative ecosystems and supports high-growth companies, while the
Georgia Cleantech Innovation Hub fosters cleantech development, aiming to position Georgia as a leader in innovation and future growth industries.