Deep tech startup accelerator coming to Rochester

Kevin Oklobzija//September 28, 2021//

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A California-based accelerator program focused on startups that create deep tech, will be investing in Rochester startups.

MARL 5G, based in San Mateo, will open a center in Rochester and says it will use MARL Fund capital to invest in up to 30 startups every year for three years at a minimum, according to information provided by Monroe County.

“At MARL, our goal is to connect Upstate New York to Silicon Valley,” Amir Khan, managing partner at MARL Accelerator, said in a news release. “We plan to provide Upstate New York a startup ecosystem with access to top-level mentors, venture capitalists, corporate partners and customers based here in Silicon Valley to help startups succeed.”

The total financial commitment will be $2 million within three years of the center’s opening, which can potentially create 200 to 300 new jobs.

The MARL Accelerator also will offer a 12-week, hands-on mentorship to each startup. The mentorship program includes guidance, including pre-seed fundraising to branding and investor readiness. MARL Accelerator will also provide startups with $550,000 in various service credits for cloud services, legal, banking, marketing, branding and technology services.

“We have a real opportunity to grow the tech business landscape in Monroe County and the
upstate region,” said Prakash Goswami, managing partner at MARL Accelerator. “Upstate New York has great community colleges and universities that are known to produce great tech talents; MARL expansion can help to retain those talents in the region, which has a potential of creating a huge innovation hub over the next 3-5 years.”

The Monroe County Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) provided $150,000 in support, which County Executive Adam Bello called a wise investment.

“MARL 5G’s placement of a new startup center here underscores the entrepreneurial climate and opportunities we offer,” Bello said.

For more information on the program, or to apply for the fall 2021 or spring 2022 Rochester Cohort, visit the website.

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