Menu

12-Week Accelerator ProgramPowered by Bessel

Hatch Biotech Accelerator

Powered by Bessel — Advancing Life Sciences Innovation in South Alabama

A specialized accelerator program designed to advance biotechnology, medical devices, and digital health ventures, powered by Bessel's proprietary frameworks for design thinking, agile teamwork, and device development. Leveraging strategic partnerships with the University of South Alabama and regional medical facilities.

10

Companies per Cohort

12

Weeks Intensive

Dec 1

2026 Application Deadline

Our Mission

To grow a pipeline of scalable biotech and healthtech startups in Alabama by connecting founders with capital, research expertise, clinical partners, and a supportive innovation community.

Lab Space Access

State-of-the-art laboratory facilities for biotech research and development

Coworking Environment

Collaborative workspace at Hatch Fairhope designed for innovation and networking

Clinical Partnerships

Direct connections to regional medical facilities for testing and validation

Focus Areas

Advancing Healthcare Through Innovation

Medical Device Infrastructure & Clinical Diagnostics

Next-generation sterilization and objective clinical measurement tools.

  • Contract Sterilization & Compliance: Modernizing medical device sterilization using sustainable alternatives like chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) gas.
  • Microcirculation & Perfusion Analytics: Using low-power RF and thermal technologies to provide objective data for vascular and surgical decision-making.
  • Orthopedic & Surgical Innovation: Developing advanced musculoskeletal tools and shape-sensing technologies for industrial and medical spatial capture.
  • Regulatory Automation: Utilizing AI-powered platforms to streamline the capital-intensive FDA documentation and 510(k) preparation process.

Advanced Bio-Engineering & Intracellular Delivery

Delivery mechanisms and synthetic environments for modern drug discovery.

  • 3D Tissue Engineering: Creating highly reproducible synthetic microtissues that mimic human physiology to replace traditional animal testing.
  • Nanotechnology Delivery Platforms: Utilizing nano-based delivery systems to transport molecules and nutrients directly into living cells.
  • Targeted Therapeutics: Developing nanoscale biological technologies for advanced diagnostics and delivery systems.
  • Pharmaceutical Toxicity Screening: Scaling high-throughput testing for drug efficacy and microenvironment modeling.

Enterprise AI & Digital Healthcare Workflows

The central nervous system of healthcare — how data is captured, analyzed, and shared securely.

  • AI Predictive Analytics: Implementing wearable sensors and behavioral scoring models to improve early intervention in neonatal care.
  • Secure Clinical Imaging: Modernizing dermatology and skin-related workflows through structured intake and longitudinal photo tracking.
  • Healthcare Knowledge Management: Building semantic knowledge graphs from engineering and regulatory data to accelerate commercialization.
  • Workflow Optimization: Enhancing medical event and healthcare system efficiency through streamlined documentation and remote review.

AgTech & Climate-Responsive Life Sciences

Cross-sector applications between biology and environmental management.

  • Smart Farming Automation: Developing AI platforms for the management of energy, water chemistry, and predictive analytics in aquaponics.
  • Controlled-Environment Agriculture (CEA): Addressing operational complexity in hydroponics and vertical farming through sensor-driven automation.
  • Precision Nutrient Delivery: Applying biotechnology-derived delivery platforms to improve crop performance and agricultural efficiency.
  • Preventative Wellness Literacy: Building digital platforms focused on awareness, resilience, and emotional wellness before clinical intervention is required.

12-Week Intensive Curriculum

From Innovation to Investment-Ready

Weeks 1-4

Advanced Medical Technologies

Minimally invasive technologies
Digital monitoring systems
AI-driven medical imaging
Regulatory pathway planning
Weeks 5-8

Biotech & Gene Therapy

Gene editing techniques (CRISPR-Cas9)
Precision medicine applications
Immuno-oncology developments
Clinical trial design
Weeks 9-12

Commercialization & Investment

Market validation strategies
Financial modeling for biotech
Investor pitch preparation
Exit strategy planning

Weekly Pitch Practice

Refine your investor pitch with expert feedback

1-on-1 Mentorship

Personalized guidance from industry experts

Finale Showcase

Present to investors and strategic partners

Program Benefits

Lab Space Access

State-of-the-art laboratory facilities for biotech research and development

Clinical Partnerships

Direct connections to regional medical facilities for testing and validation

Funding Connections

Direct access to investors specializing in healthcare innovation

Expert Mentorship

Industry leaders in biotech, medtech, and digital health

Regulatory Guidance

Expert support navigating FDA and healthcare compliance

Market Access

Connections to potential customers and pilot partners

Application Process

Timeline

Application Deadline

December 1, 2026

Program Duration

12 weeks intensive curriculum

Cohort Size

Maximum 10 companies

Ideal Candidates

  • Early to growth-stage biotech and healthtech companies
  • Teams with technical expertise and business acumen
  • Ventures addressing significant life sciences challenges
  • Companies ready to scale and seek investment

Selection Criteria

1

Innovation potential and technical feasibility

2

Market opportunity and scalability

3

Team expertise and execution capability

4

Alignment with regional healthcare needs

5

Investment readiness

Expected Outcomes

  • Refined business models and go-to-market strategies
  • Validated clinical or market proof points
  • Investor-ready pitch decks and financial models
  • Strategic partnerships and customer relationships
  • Clear regulatory and commercialization pathways

Strategic Partners

University of South Alabama

Regional Medical Facilities

Healthcare Networks

Research Institutions

Powered by Bessel

Bessel, an impact accelerator, brings proprietary frameworks that equip startups with the tools for sustainable growth.

Design Thinking

Bessel's proprietary design thinking methodology for breakthrough wellness and life science innovations.

Agile Teamwork

Collaborative frameworks that accelerate team development and execution capabilities.

Device Development

Specialized workshops and consulting for medical device and technology commercialization.

2026 Cohort

The companies and founders building the next wave of life science innovation

Gulf Sterilization

Michelle Scott

ClO₂ sterilization

Rekovar

Shiva Sharareh

NeoMonki™ neonatal AI

VivoSphere

Dr. Yuan Tian

3D tissue engineering

Spectratherm

Dr. David Nelson

REFLO microcirculation device

Psigryph

Sean Thompson

Nanopect™ nano-delivery

Omfeonix Agritech

Kelly Ochuko Egode

AquaECO AI aquaponics

New Mindset Consulting

Marlo Young

Mental health literacy

MedHive

Vipul Kashyap

AI regulatory docs for medtech

OSAZ AI

Osazomon Imarenezor

Clinical photo/intake for dermatology

Southern Rooted

Hannah Keel & Brayden Gibson

2024 Cohort Alumni

The companies and founders who participated in our inaugural cohort

The Shape Sensing Co.

Ryan DeBoer

Endeavor

Greg Parranto

Nevent

Rhodel Dacanay

DNA Nanobots

Chris Lucas

Connexus / DexaFit

Blake Martin

Percy

Conner Herman

Avicenna

Hashem Aliedeh

Join the Next Cohort

Applications are now open for the Hatch Biotech Accelerator Powered by Bessel. Take your life science innovation to the next level.

Contact: team@hatchfairhope.com