F3 Tech’s pre-accelerator is for founders working in agritech, aquatech and envirotech

Before a startup’s product appears, there’s plenty of work that goes into developing a proof of concept that can point a way toward becoming a workable business.

This stage is a key part of the work of launching a new company, and it has a program of its own through an Eastern Shore-based initiative focused on developing startups applying tech to agriculture, aquaculture and environmental science.

F3 Tech (F3 = farm, fish and food) this month opened applications for its second pre-accelerator program, a six-week course that will be offered online this summer. The idea is to help those with ideas in F3 Tech’s focus areas “define, develop and validate” a proof of concept.

“We launched this program in 2018 to help early-stage startups validate their ideas for new products or services, acquire valuable feedback from industry experts, and prepare for our more aggressive, multi-month accelerator program that starts September 3,” said Mike Thielke, executive director of Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center, which runs F3 Tech.

Starting in June, the free course will offer a pair of hourlong sessions per week, as well as meetings with a mentor for individual coaching. Topics will also include prototyping and brand building.

Applications are open through May 19.

F3 Tech’s accelerator will return in the fall with a four-month program providing business-building resources. Participants in the first edition of the program in 2018 included a group of Baltimore-based startups, with Biotrophics earning $25,000 to put toward its work to develop insects as livestock.