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$580K grant aimed at Alabama startups
ByJHDaniel
Governor Kay Ivey recently awarded a $580,000 grant to support Alabama Launchpad, a program offering entrepreneurs money to develop their businesses via a competition.
“From George Washington Carver and his work with the peanut, to Mary Anderson, inventor of the windshield wiper, innovation has and always will be a part of the Alabama spirit,” Ivey said in a statement.
What Is This?
Through Alabama Launchpad startups compete against one another. A panel of entrepreneurs award money to chosen startups. The winners use the money to develop their businesses.
Alabama Launchpad chooses five individuals to serve as judges. The judges represent the investment/angel community, entrepreneurs and corporate stakeholders. Each phase of the startup competition is judged by the same judges panel.
2017 Winners
Influencer and Edify Online Corp. won a total of $150k in November at the Alabama Launchpad startup competition.
In the 2017 competition, four of the startups were from Birmingham! They included:
- Axle Advertisements:
- Edify Online Corporation
- Farm Bowl & Juice Co.
- Influencer (INFLCR)
Ready To Compete?
Interested teams need to submit an application and a $150 non-refundable application fee. Check out their deadline calendar. The first application deadline is January 8, but there are more!
For more information regarding the startup competition process, please contact: gsheek@edpa.or
Some Background
The Launchpad project is the brainchild of EDPA (the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama). The program hosts a business plan competition, provides contacts and guides these future innovators.
About ADECA
The grant money comes through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, which is administering the money from the Alabama Research Alliance Trust Fund. Interest earned by the trust fund supports projects affecting new technology and innovation.
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, workforce development, water resource management and recreation development.
