Acclinate was the only Alabama company to be selected for the 2021 Social Impact Accelerator program
January 27, 2021 (Huntsville, Ala.) – Acclinate has been selected for the 2021 class of the Cox Enterprises Social Impact Accelerator, powered by Techstars. Acclinate is a minority owned, Alabama-based company that strives to achieve health equity and personalized healthcare for all by diversifying genomic data and clinical research.
The Social Impact Accelerator program provides virtual mentoring, funding and global connections to 10 for-profit, mission-driven companies. Acclinate was the only Alabama company to be selected for the 2021 class.
“I have a passion for using business to make a positive societal impact. I also believe that businesses that are effective in creating that impact achieve significantly higher returns and valuations,” said Delmonize “Del” Smith, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Acclinate. “Cox Social Impact Accelerator by Techstars provides the visibility, mentorship, and access to customers to help Acclinate scale.”
Cox Enterprises is a key supporter of programs designed to nurture technology startups and a founding sponsor of Techstars, an internationally recognized startup accelerator that helps entrepreneurs boost their early-stage businesses and product development efforts through education and funding.
“This class gives me confidence that we can and will make this country a more equitable and inclusive place to live,” Barry Givens, managing director of Techstars Social Impact, said in Cox Enterprises’s press announcement about the 2021 class. “We hope this class will be a shining example of the opportunities that exist to impact social justice and will highlight the importance of supporting diverse founders who are tackling these issues.”
Founded in 2019, Acclinate has continued to expand and currently holds locations in Birmingham, Ala. and at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Ala. In 2020, the company established the #NOWINCLUDED program, which is dedicated to spreading knowledge about healthcare disparities for People of Color, and encouraging a diverse population to be included in medical research so results reflect and can protect all people.
“I am of course excited for what acceptance into the program means for our company, now and in the future. I’m even more excited as I look forward to what it will allow us to accomplish in the communities we seek to serve. Working with the other founders who were chosen to participate in the 2021 Social Impact Accelerator places invaluable mentorship and collaboration at our front door. We are ready for what’s next and encourage everyone to join the #NOWINCLUDED community,” shared Tiffany Whitlow, Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer.
About Acclinate: Acclinate is a trusted digital health company integrating culture and technology to educate and engaging diverse individuals so they can make informed decisions about genomic research and clinical trial participation through their #NOWINCLUDED platform. #NOWINCLUDED is a multigenerational healthcare movement that engages, educates, and empowers minority populations to take control of their health. Acclinate believes that diversifying genomic research and clinical trials to include more representation and diversity increases knowledge about health issues and makes a difference in personalized healthcare for all. Beyond that, Acclinate and its founders, Del Smith and Tiffany Whitlow, have a passion to serve as a resource and supporter of diversity and inclusion through health, education, and entrepreneurship.
