DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — HudsonAlpha Wiregrass is accepting applications for the new Regions Foundation Entrepreneurial Fellows Program, a year-long initiative aimed at helping early-stage agriscience, agricultural biotechnology, and agtech startups grow while boosting innovation across the Wiregrass.
Made possible through support from the Regions Foundation, a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank, the program will provide selected entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, business development resources, and access to HudsonAlpha’s GROW Lab incubator. The incubator includes collaborative coworking space and a shared Biosafety Level II (BSL II) laboratory.
“Through the Regions Foundation Entrepreneurial Fellows Program, we’re investing in founders who are committed to building businesses in Dothan and the surrounding communities. By providing access to mentorship, industry connections and specialized resources, this program will help strengthen the region’s agricultural economy, create jobs and support long-term economic growth,” said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation.
The fellowship is designed for startups developing innovative solutions that could advance agriculture, biotechnology and related industries. Selected companies may receive up to $20,000 in funding to support pilot projects, prototype manufacturing or other initiatives that move their businesses closer to commercialization.
“At HudsonAlpha Wiregrass, we’re committed to building an ecosystem where entrepreneurs have the resources, mentorship, and connections needed to bring innovative ideas to life,” said Ann Carr, economic development manager at HudsonAlpha Wiregrass. “The Regions Foundation Entrepreneurial Fellows Program represents another major investment in supporting groundbreaking companies that will help shape the future of agriculture and biotechnology while creating economic opportunity throughout our region.”
The fellowship is open to pre-seed and early-stage companies that have raised less than $2 million during the past year. Selected participants must operate on-site in Dothan for the 12-month program, be accepted into the HudsonAlpha GROW Lab incubator and maintain commercial liability insurance throughout the fellowship.
The inaugural program will run from September 2026 through August 2027 and will focus on business growth, commercialization and industry collaboration.
Applications are open now and will close on Aug. 10, 2026. Interviews are scheduled for Aug. 17-21, with the first fellowship cohort beginning in September.
Entrepreneurs interested in applying or learning more about the program can contact Ann Carr at [email protected].
