Savannah Logistics Innovation Center, Plug and Play announce first cohort of their accelerator program

The Savannah Logistics Innovation Center (SLIC) and Plug and Play, a Silicon-Valley based venture capital firm and corporate innovation platform that recently opened an office in Savannah, announced the first cohort of selected startup companies chosen for their accelerator program. Plug and Play's accelerator programs support early- to late-stage, growth-driven companies through education, mentorship, and financing.  

This program is offered in partnership with Foram, the Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Ports Authority, Georgia Power, Georgia Southern University, Maersk, the Savannah Economic Development Authority, Savannah State University and Savannah Technical College. 

The startups selected include:

• Awake.ai, a software platform company building an ecosystem for smart ports and shipping and accommodating seamless collaboration within the entire maritime logistics chain by sharing situational awareness and providing AI-supported predictions for future planning.
• Casi, relays workforce shift changes and announcements between a management dashboard and the existing tools that employees have in place like text messaging and email.
• Datch, the only voice AI technology engineered specifically for the industrial workforce to interface with enterprise databases.
• Dray Alliance, a company providing a container drayage trucking service powered by technology to drive reliability, transparency and connectivity for containerized freight.
• Einride, unmanned transportation vehicles that are safe, cost-efficient and emission-free, enabling clients to reduce transportation costs along with creating a cleaner environment.
• Qualle, software that helps with container triangulation to match import containers with exporters' demand.
• Really Virtual, a unique workforce development platform that manufactures a scalable, cost-efficient and immersive forklift training simulator called the Real-Forklift Premium.
• Repowr, an open marketplace and community of private networks that allows logistics companies to lease and share assets in a single, integrated platform.
• Ride-n-Dock, Seamless mobility tools and tracking services that enhance warehouse worker productivity and retention.
• Slip Robotics, a solution that provides a frictionless robotic implementation while solving the biggest challenges faced in the trailer loading and unloading process.
• Splice, a low-code automation platform connecting logistics and supply chain applications across customers and partners, automating workflows through a cloud-based environment.
• Tive, a leading provider of real-time supply chain visibility insights that help logistics professionals actively manage their in-transit shipments location and condition.

Saeed Amidi, CEO and Founder,  Plug and Play: "The last few years have brought a lot of attention to ports and the importance they play in our global supply chains and economy at large. Our collaboration with the SLIC is an incredible opportunity to drive forward technology and innovation that can benefit all of us. We're excited to work with the first batch of startups and our engaged partners to make Plug and Play Savannah one of the premier hubs of supply chain innovation in the world." 

Bart Gobeil, Executive Director, SLIC: "We could not have asked for a more innovative and sophisticated cohort of startups to participate in our inaugural batch for this new program. The quality of these startups demonstrates how the Savannah region and Georgia in particular continues to lead and be at the forefront of our global logistics supply chain." 

As one of two cohorts that will be chosen each year, selected startups will have the opportunity for business development, mentorship, partnership and funding. 

Griff Lynch, Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority: "Modern ports like Savannah are very efficient at the mechanics and information systems involved in moving cargo on-and off-terminal. We are thrilled to see where the accelerator program takes this inaugural group of startups and the ways in which our systems and processes improve because of the solutions they discover and provide." 

Focus areas of the program include freight, warehouse operations, labor and supply chain optimization. 

Kyle Marrero, President, Georgia Southern University: "Georgia Southern University is proud to partner with Plug and Play and the Savannah Logistics Innovation Center as we announce the first group of startup companies that will benefit from this accelerator program. The education entities in our region play a crucial role in furthering public-impact research and filling talent development needs across all sectors of the logistics and supply chain industry." 

www.plugandplaytechcenter.com
savannahlogisticsinnovationcenter.com