BIC Stage 2 Accelerator Companies Announced / iBerkshires.com

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) announced the second cohort of startup companies accepted into the BIC Stage 2 accelerator program.

This 35-week, hands-on, results-driven program is designed for early-stage technology startups. Winners will receive a BIC membership and dedicated workspace, and will have full access to BIC’s labs, advanced equipment, digital media studio, educational programs, and an in-house team of subject matter experts, as well as extensive and carefully curated support from BIC’s engaged member community.

“Last year, we launched our Stage 2 Accelerator program to crystallize and expand our offerings so that we could bring the full range of BIC resources to more entrepreneurs,” said Ben Sosne, executive director of the Berkshire Innovation Center. “Last year’s cohort included incredible companies, most of whom we continue to work closely with as part of our BIC member community. It’s exciting to welcome this next cohort of entrepreneurs and continue to build on this program, which has the potential to drive new business growth and jobs in Commonwealth priority sectors, as well as the strength of our regional rural economy.”

The following companies have qualified for the second edition of the BIC Stage 2 Accelerator program:

Revvit is building low-cost, easy EV charging for commercial, multifamily, fleet, and public parking lots. The company’s mission is to provide all communities with an incredibly convenient EV charging experience to accelerate the adoption of electric transportation in areas that currently lack service. The Revvit EV Charger uses the popular Level 1 (120V) charging mode – https://www.revvit.net/

Ethos Admissions focuses on college and career readiness, helping to prepare the next generation of climate technology workers. Their program creates a deep connection and commitment to equity, focusing on college readiness and youth workforce development for marginalized and underserved students in rural and gateway communities – https://www.ethosadmissions.org/

Solid State Marine manufactures solid-state lithium batteries for electric vessels. Their formulation eliminates the use of highly volatile liquids, greatly reducing the thermal volatility that causes typical lithium batteries to ignite. They are 30 percent smaller than leading lithium-ion batteries, enabling large-boat electronics applications on all vessels – https://solidstatemarine.com/

Clear Waterways Group, LLC has developed a self-contained device that purifies large bodies of water. The device is designed to mitigate and remediate the negative effects of toxic algal blooms caused by nutrient contamination and to remove and prevent the spread of invasive species, such as zebra mussels, in lakes, ponds and rivers.

SuryaTech integrates battery storage with solar power and enables faster and more consistent charging of electric vehicles by storing solar energy for on-demand use. This stored energy can also be fed back into the grid during peak demand, increasing grid stability and efficiency. This system uses renewable energy to facilitate fast charging while reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Overall, it promotes a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure, supporting wider adoption of electric vehicles – https://suryatechpower.com/

Magnetworks is a community-driven job referral platform and modern job channel that leverages technology and word-of-mouth marketing to transform regional hiring. With automated referral tools and local rewards for successful hires, Magnetworks transforms the job search into a collaborative, community-focused effort. The platform provides employers with simple, automated tools to engage their networks and reward referrals with what the community values most – https://www.magnetworks.co/

Recover Hospitality is making travel more enjoyable and accessible for those who prioritize their mental health and well-being. As healthier lifestyles and mindful choices gain popularity, hospitality environments that cater to sober and sober travelers can have a significant impact. Recover Hospitality is helping to unlock the potential of this large market through the CXN Hotel Collection: a curated selection of hotels that support mental well-being – https://recoverhospitality.com/

Partners providing support for this program include: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Mill Town Foundation, 1Berkshire, Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds, Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp., MassMEDIC, Altium, MathWorks and SolidWorks.

Entrepreneurs in the group will also have access to the BIC Manufacturing Academy (BMA), a program created in collaboration with MIT and local industry partners with funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the MassTech Collaborative that is gaining popularity nationally and internationally.

In addition to BMA and BIC facilities, equipment and software packages, companies in the program will have extensive access to a vast network of experts who regularly engage with BIC. Among the many mentors supporting entrepreneurs and guiding the program’s development is Sam Russo, co-founder of Dive Technologies, a company that leveraged BIC’s resources to build an autonomous underwater vehicle before being acquired by Anduril Industries in 2022. Russo, a Pittsfield native, maintains an office at BIC and serves as the program’s official “Entrepreneur in Residence.”

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