After a successful inaugural cohort, interest in the program continues to grow.
ATLANTA — A farm-to-cup coffee roaster. A gluten-free baker. A specialty spice blend creator. These are just a few of the businesses honing their entrepreneurial skills in the 2026 Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator (GT.FBA), which launched in July.
Building on lessons learned from the success of the 2025 cohort, Director Aubrey Lenyard and Assistant Director Brandy Nagel have continued to refine the structure of what has become a highly competitive program that ensures personalized attention and support for participant food and beverage founders.
The food and beverage sector plays a vital role in Georgia’s economy, and food tech encompasses a range of specialties, from food safety and technology to packaging and logistics. GT.FBA’s comprehensive approach addresses them all, so it’s no surprise that interest in the accelerator program has been growing steadily.
“I believe in community, networking, and continuous education. This program offers all three,” said Tiffany Ellis, founder of G Ann’s Cold Pressed juices, in Decatur, Georgia. “A lot of the other incubators that I’ve been a part of have focused on entrepreneurship, generally, and not food and beverage, specifically. This program offers that, and on top of that, they are connected to a lot of mentors in the industry. This is going to be an exciting ride.”
This year, the accelerator’s information session drew 113 food and beverage founders from across the state. After an extensive application and pitching process, 10 secured a spot in the accelerator. That number is down from 18 accelerator participants last year. Cohort members will take part in workshops and receive specialized one-on-one coaching designed to help them scale their businesses.
In addition, 80 food and beverage entrepreneurs joined the GT.FBA Incubator, designed for those in the early stages of launching a business. Incubator participants will attend classes, receive mentorship, and continue building skills and professional networks. In response to growing demand, many GT.FBA classes are being offered to the public, too.
“Looking at this year’s accelerator and incubator cohorts, I feel very optimistic about the future of Georgia’s food and beverage industry,” said Lenyard. “I’m excited to walk beside these founders as they transform their ideas and inspiration into thriving businesses.”
Applications for the 2027 accelerator and incubator cohorts will open soon.