Birmingham, Alabama, Bronze Valley Initiative — Attendees of the Bronze Valley Initiative’s inaugural breakfast on Wednesday, February 14, 2018. Via Bronze Valley Initiative, Facebook.

This is the type of initiative that could really set us apart, Birmingham: growing the Southeastern tech ecosystem by promoting diversity and finding economic opportunities.

Birmingham, Alabama, Neill Wright, Alabama Power, Bronze Valley Initiative — Bronze Valley Executive Director Neill Wright, via Bronze Valley Initiative

Southern Tech Opportunities

According to their website, the Bronze Valley Initiative is a new nonprofit dedicated to promoting economic opportunities for underrepresented business leaders in technology and innovation.

“For Bronze Valley to be successful, diversity has to be more than just a discussion. We have to make a real, positive impact on entrepreneurs in Birmingham and states throughout the Southeast, ” said Neill Wright, Executive Director of Bronze Valley.

Dual Mission

The initiative wants to create an “education-to-opportunity-to-outcome pipeline” in technology careers here in Birmingham, in the South and across the nation.

“We will be a catalyst for change,” Wright said. “We’re building an ecosystem for innovation, diversity and growth.”

BVI Goals

Attracting capital for startups
Providing active mentorship for entrepreneurs
Technology-based business development

“There is a need,” says Wright, a 25-year veteran in banking and finance. “And, there is an opportunity to meet that need. As business leaders, we have an obligation to enhance and improve our ecosystem for growth.”

Ready, Set, Go!

Bronze Valley held their first conference today, as a way to bring together top corporate executives, elected officials, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, policymakers and thought leaders from across the country.

Conference moderators, speakers and panelists scheduled:

Kwame Anku, Co-Founder and Principal of Black Angel Tech
Michael Madison, Founding Partner and Director-General at Orogenesis
Shegun Otulana, Founder and CEO of TheraNest
Mazi Rasulnia, Co-Founder and President of Pack Health
Sterling Smith, Founding Partner at Keystoke Inc. and Sandbox Commerce
Hank Torbert, President of Alta Max LLC
Jared Weinstein, General Partner at Thrive Capital

Birmingham, Alabama, Atlanta — Atlanta, via Hypepotomus

Tech In The South

For more evidence of the South’s growing tech sector, check out Deloitte’s annual Technology Fast 500 list. While you won’t see Birmingham on it (yet), 25 southern companies made the list. Atlanta is killing it. The South is ripe for tech growth, and it looks like Birmingham is jumping right in.

Bronze Valley hopes to build the local tech community by tracking:

The number of jobs created
The number of companies started, attracted and expanded
The number of educational opportunities provided

“It’s about creating and perpetuating a culture and reputation of innovation for communities that face barriers to the tech economy,” said John O. Hudson III, a founder of Bronze Valley and member of its board. Hudson is also senior vice president for marketing and business development for Alabama Power.

Let’s see how far they’re going to go, Birmingham. Check them out on Facebook.