It seems that every month we read about great opportunities being presented to early-stage companies or startups in Alabama. This week three Birmingham companies are finalist in Alabama Launchpad’s competition for $150,000 in Prattville, Thursday at 4PM.

Alabama Launchpad is a program of the Economic Development Partnership to help high-growth, innovative startups in the state. If a company is in the very early seed stage, or has a strong concept, but is not fully in business yet, this is the initiative that can provide much needed funding.

Alabama Launchpad connects these promising startups with potential investors and experts. The competition is a valuable experience even of funding is not realized, because of the opportunity to refine and present business plans and to network with and learn from successful business leaders.

Last year two of the winners were Birmingham startups: Edify Online and INFLCR.

This year, three of the six companies competing are from Birmingham: Pointz which offers an app giving businesses a way to incentivize customers, O3 Solutions a project management tool for industrial construction, and Quantalytix, part of the Velocity Accelerator at Innovation Depot, a software platform for the financial services industry.

The qualified judges are from throughout Alabama representing various professions; Lisa Williams, president, Soldier 1 Corp., Huntsville, Haley Van Antwerp, executive director, Innovation PortAL, Mobile, Neill Wright, Liberty Bank executive vice president, Dan Ruth, attorney Balch & Bingham, Birmingham, Giles McDaniel, executive director, Shoals Entrepreneurial Center, Florence.