Building a forest products, wood technology or forest innovation company?
The Forest Business Accelerator can help you move from promising idea to market-ready business.
Gain access to expert advisors, industry connections, commercialization training and a national network of entrepreneurs and industry leaders. The Forest Business Accelerator is a no-cost program designed to help early-stage companies validate markets, refine business models and accelerate growth.
The greatest value of the accelerator comes from mentorship, commercialization training, customer discovery and industry connections. In addition, participants select one company to receive a $15,000 peer-voted award at the conclusion of the program.
Participants are expected to attend both Vermont-based sprint sessions in person.
Travel stipends, lodging and meals are provided.
Applications Open
Applications Close
Cohort Selected
Program Kickoff—Virtual
Sprint 1—Vermont
(In-Person Attendance Required)
Sprint 2—Virtual
Sprint 3—Vermont
(In-Person Attendance Required)
Cast Carbon produces biochar enriched interior wall tiles that enable designers to layer in nature, carbon storage and material health into interior finishes.
New York
CORE Timber develops mass timber structural components that support forest restoration while reducing reliance on emissions-intensive building materials.
Connecticut
Jones Wood Products manufactures hardwood flooring, kiln-dried lumber and timber frame packages through its integrated sawmill operation.
New Hampshire
Latis Materials develops carbon fiber derived from forest resources, creating high-performance materials that support sustainable manufacturing and new markets for the forest products industry.
Maine
Renoster uses LiDAR and forest science to help woodland owners and forestry professionals make informed management decisions and generate value through carbon markets.
Texas
RETRN develops biobased materials and coatings from industrial waste streams, providing sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products for packaging and other applications.
New York
Structmill is developing automated lumber processing technology that enables lumberyards to deliver pre-cut framing materials directly to construction sites, reducing waste, improving efficiency and eliminating on-site cutting.
West Virginia
Takachar converts low-value biomass residues into higher-value products, including biochar, chemicals and biofuels, through portable, decentralized processing technology.
California
The Forest Business Accelerator is guided by a group of dedicated advisors with industry, startup, and entrepreneurial experience. They support program development and provide industry connections, technical expertise, and guidance to companies participating in the Accelerator
The Forest Business Accelerator connects participating companies with forest industry leaders, customers, suppliers, investors and subject matter experts who provide guidance throughout the program.
Northern Forest Center
Weyerhauser
Vermont Natural Resources
Oregon State Wood Innovation Lab
President, Passumpsic Savings Bank
Department of Energy
University of New Hampshire
University of Maine
New England Forestry Foundation
Government of British Columbia
Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation
Vermont Natural Resource Department
USDA Rural Development
Vermont Housing and Conservation Board
Whiteout Solutions
Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies
Mass Kingdom
US Forest Service
Entrepreneur
Vermont Woodworking School
Georgia Pacific Ventures
SBIR Advisors
US Forest Service
Ecovative
BC Office of Mass Timber
Georgia Pacific Ventures
UFP Ventures
UNH Extension
US Forest Service
Entrepreneur
US Office for BC Wood
UFP Ventures
Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative
US Forest Service
Woodworks
TimberHP
UFP Ventures
The Forest Business Accelerator is made possible through the support of funding partners, industry leaders and organizations committed to strengthening the forest products economy.
We are actively seeking additional partners and supporters to help accelerate innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization across the forest industry.
Partner organizations receive visibility among emerging companies, opportunities to engage with entrepreneurs and investors, and access to innovative technologies and business ideas shaping the future of the forest economy.
To learn more about partnership opportunities, contact forestaccelerator@vsjf.org.
