After successfully accelerating additive manufacturing and sustainable packaging startups in prior years, this year’s class is focused on solutions for artificial intelligence (AI) in advanced manufacturing. Stanley and Techstars will work with two robotics companies, four software companies and four companies developing solutions by way of digital and hardware components.
“We are excited by this year’s cohort which is focused on breakthrough innovations in artificial intelligence and manufacturing to create digitally enabled factories and distribution centers of the future,” says Stanley Black & Decker CTO Mark Maybury. “By leveraging the best of human and learning, the set of founders are advancing revolutionary, value-generating solutions that will accelerate smarter, safer and more sustainable manufacturing. We look forward to working with them in our accelerator to bring their full potential to life.”
The team will leverage a virtual format this year, not only keeping everyone safe, but also extending the mentor pool. “For startups in the manufacturing industry one of the biggest challenges is understanding the innovation needs of large companies,” says Laila Patridge, managing director of STANLEY + Techstars Accelerator. “The STANLEY+Techstars Accelerator program solves this by matching domain experts at Stanley Black & Decker with innovative founders. I am looking forward to seeing what comes out of that collaboration!"
Read on to learn more about each company and what this opportunity means for these start-ups.
