The Forest Business Accelerator is seeking innovative start-up and seed stage ventures in the U.S. that are focused on commercializing new and improved products, services, and technology in the forest and wood products industry.
During the 2026 program, entrepreneurs will connect with industry experts, customers, suppliers, and investors. Over four months, the program includes intensive work sessions, two online sessions and two in-person intensive sessions (each 2-4 days in duration), weekly assignments and bi-weekly webinars, as well as frequent 1:1 engagement with mentors.
This will be the fourth cohort for the accelerator program, managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF), that brings together early-stage companies from across the U.S. to work together over four months to complete a world-class ecosVC Lens of the Market® ACCELERATED curriculum while competing for a $15,000 award for the top venture.
“We are particularly interested in start-ups with emerging technology in advanced uses of wood to create new innovative products that utilize the wood-basket of the Northern Forest, especially those that utilize low-grade wood from the region,” said Christine McGowan, forest and fiber program director at VSJF.
Examples of technologies or services could include but are not limited to:
- Products that use chips, dust, resins, shavings or other forest byproducts.
- Wood based technologies to create new bio-based materials, chemicals and products, as well as new types of wood-based building materials.
- Products that make use of underutilized species (e.g., poplar, birch).
- Technology that improves forest industry operations, production, automation, sales throughout the supply chain, or forest management. This includes software offerings that make use of AI and other technologies to provide previously unavailable services to the forest industry.
- Products or services that increase the use of wood heat or energy or improve its efficiency, either through new or improved fuels or heat or energy systems.
Click to learn more about the Forest Business Accelerator 2026. Application period closes June 5, 2026. Decisions about participation will be made in late June with the accelerator kicking off online August 3, 2026 and the first in-person sprint starting September 14, 2026.
About the Forest Business Accelerator
The Forest Business Accelerator is a Vermont-based program that supports startup and seed stage ventures developing innovative products, services, and technologies in the forest and wood industry. The program provides an intensive learning and business development process to help entrepreneurs validate their business model, strengthen operations, prepare for investment, and position their companies for meaningful growth. The Forest Business Accelerator is an initiative of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) in partnership with Vermont State University (VTSU) and the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). Together, these partners work to advance a modern, resilient forest and fiber economy in Vermont and Northern New England.
About the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
In addition to managing the Forest Business Accelerator for startup and seed stage entrepreneurs, the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) also manages the DeltaClimeVT energy accelerator, provides business assistance, supply chain coordination, network development, and strategic planning in agriculture and food systems, forest and fiber products, renewable energy, environmental technology, and waste management sectors. vsjf.org
About Vermont State University
Vermont State University provides a high-quality, flexible, and affordable education for students seeking associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, certificates, and in-demand professional credentials. The university builds upon a history of public higher education in Vermont dating back to 1787. More information about Vermont State University can be found at vermontstate.edu