Montgomery Techlab will focus on mobile app development, and Chattanooga-based CO.LAB Executive Director Marcus Shaw will lead the program.

The accelerator was created through a public/private partnership between the city, county, local economic development partners, IT companies and the Maxwell-Gunter Community. Leaders say it is the next step in an innovation district for the Montgomery region.

According to a release, the Techlab will provide startups unique opportunities to work closely with industry leaders in digital services such as mentoring, training, coaching, collaborative activities, budget building, trend analysis and testing. The 12-week program will enable companies to build customer relationships and more.

“This resource will leverage the region’s assets to create opportunity for local tech businesses that have been developing in Montgomery for the last several years,” says Elton Dean, Montgomery County Commission chairman. “By utilizing our region’s existing infrastructure and physical and intellectual resources we can create a long-term sustainable environment for tech companies in our area.”