Tech watch: 3 startups with ties to Birmingham, including MoovMo, a ride-sharing app for those using wheelchairs

In this week’s roundup of Birmingham tech news, we’re all about a startup focused on ride-sharing opportunities, a company that builds startups and an app for businesses that works like an in-house diversity coach.

1. App For Wheelchair Users

This Birmingham CEO is hoping to better the lives of those who use wheelchairs by helping them find a ride.

“MoovMo is the first ride-sharing service specifically designed for people who require wheelchair accessibility,” said MoovMo CEO Daryl Harris.

So, like UberWAV, but available in Alabama. Harris is in the development stages and is hoping to launch his ride-sharing platform this fall.

2. The Startup Creating Startups

DEFT Venture Studios is in the business of matching startups with engineers, entrepreneurs and investors, and last week one of their companies took top honors in Economic Development Partnership of Alabama’s (EDPA) Launchpad competition. Right now DEFT has 6 companies, and they’re all taking off.

3. An AI Solution for Diversity

Looks like a recruitment effort is underway bring Joonko to Birmingham. The artificial intelligence (AI) startup was founded in 2016 after graduating from Atlanta’s TechStars class. Their AI-powered software plugs into companies’ existing platforms, such as Atlassian Jira, Salesforce, and Workday.

According to Co-founder and Chief Executive Ilit Raz, the goal is to use a company’s existing data to suggest real-time corrective action that can reduce discrimination at work.

Raz was in Birmingham this week meeting with Tech Birmingham, the City of Birmingham, Innovation Depot, the Birmingham Business Alliance, investors and potential clients. Stay tuned for this one.