Comcast To Launch LIFT Startup Accelerator in Atlanta

Atlanta will be the second market to house a startup accelerator and entrepreneurs resource center funded by Comcast NBCUniversal and focused on innovation in media, entertainment and connectivity. The first program will launch in Philadelphia and counts international accelerator program Techstars as a partner.

Dubbed Leveraging Innovation For Tomorrow, or LIFT, the program was developed with input from over 1500 entrepreneurs across the U.S. and abroad, many garnered during Comcast's multi-city “Tomorrow Tour" event series, which came to the Atlanta Tech Village last March.

The LIFT program will include access and mentorship from Comcast NBCUniversal executives and partners. The application period will open in January of 2018 and startups that seek to apply do not need to be from any specific region.

Comcast has a history of supporting innovation with programming as well as funds through its Comcast Ventures funding arm, which has invested in almost 100 startups from seed through late stage. This also includes the Catalyst Fund, which is specifically aimed at early-stage, minority-led tech companies.

“Comcast was a startup more than 50 years ago in the Philadelphia region, and we understand the importance of entrepreneurialism to help drive growth, innovation, and the economy,” said Sam Schwartz, Chief Business Development Officer, Comcast Cable.

The accelerator partner for the Atlanta LIFT program has not yet been announced.

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