Forge Institute launches infrastructure grid pre-accelerator, mentorship programs

The Forge Institute announced Thursday (Aug. 22) the launch of Embers Xcelerator: Grid-Connected Cyber, a pre-accelerator program focused on growing innovations for grid-connected resilience.

The group also announced the Forge Institute Mentorship Program, which is designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across a diverse array of grid-connected entities and utilities.

The programs are funded through an award from UA Little Rock, which received $5 million in federal funding to enhance cybersecurity capabilities across the region. The university said U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., was instrumental in securing the funding.

The Embers Xcelerator: Grid-Connected Cyber program will put participants through a 12-week

Applications have opened and close on Friday, August 30. Participants in the Embers Xcelerator: Grid-Connected Cyber will benefit from a comprehensive 12-week curriculum built by entrepreneurs that includes a purposeful and deliberate focus on developing and validating business models, understanding the compliance and regulatory environment, developing a minimum viable product and refining the go-to-market strategies of each startup.

The program will be presented by serial entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, industry excerpts and will provide access to the knowledge and experience needed to validate business hypotheses and gain traction.

For the mentorship program, entrepreneurs will have access to the Forge Institute Mentorship Program, which includes a training program consisting of a structured curriculum, guest speakers, a panel presented by Senior Mentors, and a thorough review of materials.

Forge Institute recently trained 12 mentors in its first training session earlier this month. Each mentor brings a wealth of real-world experience and is able to help guide mentees through the complexities of starting and growing a business, developing products, gaining customer traction and a myriad of other business functions.

“Senator John Boozman has provided his steadfast support which has been instrumental in this endeavor. With these new programs, the Forge Institute is not just incubating early-stage ideas; we are nurturing the seeds of national security and grid resilience,” said Lee Watson, Chairman & CEO, Forge Institute.

Additionally, the Forge Institute is offering participants the opportunity to become members of the Emerging Threat Center (ET-ISAC). Membership provides access to a community of innovators and cybersecurity experts, ability to participate in ongoing threat intelligence analysis, collaborative research, and access to relevant training opportunities. The ETC currently has dozens of members from all over Arkansas and surrounding states.

“Cybersecurity and resiliency are national priorities that require innovative solutions and private-public collaboration. I am proud to support the Forge Institute, UA Little Rock and the CCI in their efforts to lead in the development of crucial cybersecurity infrastructure right here in Arkansas,” Sen. Boozman said.

For more information about both programs, visit this link.