The STANLEY+Techstars Accelerator Class of 2018
Last year, Stanely Black & Decker and Techstars launched their first Additive Manufacturing Accelerator in which 10 startups were chosen to receive funding and mentorship for the purpose of growing their businesses. The success of the program led to the two companies deciding to run the accelerator again, and now they have announced that applications are being accepted for the second year. In particular, companies focusing on additive manufacturing or sustainable packaging are being considered.
“We are working to identify the most promising companies developing solutions related to additive manufacturing or sustainable packaging that can help move the manufacturing sector forward,” said Claudia Reuter, Managing Director of the STANLEY+Techstars Accelerator. “We are confident that we will continue to attract world-class additive manufacturing companies and Stanley Black & Decker’s commitment to sustainability, as demonstrated by their recent pledge to make all of their plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, will strengthen our search for companies working on sustainable packaging solutions.”
The decision to include sustainable packaging companies is new this year; in 2018 the accelerator focused only on additive manufacturing companies.
“Additive manufacturing is one of the most important areas of technological transformation today and has the potential to influence the future direction of the industries in which our businesses operate,” said Marty Guay, Vice President, Business Development at Stanley Black & Decker. “We developed this accelerator program with Techstars to help empower these start-ups to continue challenging the status quo and look forward to providing them with the guidance and support they need to thrive and bring their ideas and technologies to fruition. We’re also proud to do this in Hartford, CT, and are confident that programs like this will create a robust entrepreneurial community right here in our capital city.”
Stanley Black & Decker’s decision to make all of its plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 was part of its commitment to The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, an initiative of The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and United Nations Environment Programme, which the company signed last year along with several other businesses and governments. 250 parties representing about 20 percent of all plastic packaging produced globally signed the agreement.
“We believe it is our responsibility as a company to help build a more sustainable world,” said Deb Geyer, Stanley Black & Decker’s Vice President of Environment, Health & Safety and Corporate Social Responsibility. “We believe that a world without plastic pollution is possible, and we are committing to taking action to ensure we are part of that solution.”
The STANLEY+Techstars Accelerator will focus on both eco-friendly packaging and additive manufacturing, and companies that apply may offer software, hardware or material solutions in either or both of those two areas. Specific areas of interest include 3D printing, rapid prototyping, generative design, tooling, direct digital manufacturing, layered manufacturing, additive fabrication, sustainable materials and improved consumer packaging solutions. The accelerator will take place at Stanley Black & Decker’s new Manufactory 4.0 Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Three of Stanley’s more than 100 manufacturing facilities have been designated “Lighthouse Factories” that have partially implemented Industry 4.0 technologies, including manufacturing execution systems (MES), 3D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
Applications for the STANLEY+Techstars Accelerator are being accepted until April 7th, and the program will begin on July 15th. You can find out more about the program and how to apply here.
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