MACH37 accelerator, UVA Wise announce partnership

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise and the MACH37 Cyber Accelerator at the Center for Innovative Technology announced a new partnership Friday that aims to create cybersecurity employment and education opportunities in Southwest Virginia.

According to a statement by Virginia Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson, the Memorandum of Understanding will have a major impact.

“UVa-Wise has a growing pipeline of well-educated technology students who will be joining the workforce over the next few years. This relationship with the accelerator will provide them with a stream of internship and employment opportunities with companies in MACH37’s growing portfolio,” she said. “The agreement will also provide MACH37 with access to the University’s outstanding research expertise and will allow both sides to leverage each other’s valuable stakeholder relationships.”

Founded by the Herndon-based Center for Innovative Technology (CIT), the MACH37 Cyber Accelerator has launched 35 innovative cybersecurity product companies in Virginia since 2013.

The accelerator runs a 90-day program, twice a year, in which competitively selected startups are coached in the aspects of creating a business. Upon the completion of each session, the startups participate in a Demo Day when they pitch to a crowd of external mentors, investors and industry experts.

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is a public, four-year liberal arts college located in Southwest Virginia.