Applications sought for GigTank 2013

Startup tech ventures wanting access to high-speed web connections, business advice and seed capital are urged to apply for this year's GigTank accelerator program in Chattanooga.

Patterned on the successful GigTank 2012 program, this year's GigTank will run from May 13 to Aug. 6, culminating in a Demo Day where participating businesses can pitch their products for venture capital. CO.LAB, the co-host of the GigTank 2012 accelerator program, today announced that online applications for GigTank 2013 are officially open.

GigTank is billed as the world's only accelerator on a living fiber network, enabling next-generation startups to launch their businesses while taking advantage of Chattanooga's gigabit-per-second Internet speeds.

"Following the success of GigTank 2012, we're excited to see what 2013 will bring," Sheldon Grizzle, founder of CO.LAB, said in a statement today. "As we begin the selection process, we're looking for startup founders who want to reinvent modern life. In a sense, we're looking for pioneers of the future."

The ng Connect Program, founded by Alcatel-Lucent, has become an initial founding partner of Chattanooga's GigTank.

"The member companies of the ng Connect program have developed groundbreaking prototype connected services, such as a connected-service vehicle and cloud-based learning," said Jason Collins, vice president of emerging technology and Innovation at Alcatel-Lucent. "By partnering with GigTank's entrepreneurs and leveraging Chattanooga's fiber network, we can bring these services to life and potentially work with telecom service providers around the world to ultimately reach a broad customer base."

Other sponsors include LampPost Group, EPB, the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce and UTC.

For more information or to apply to GigTank, visit www.thegigtank.com. The application deadline in March 22.

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