Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
24 founders of technology-related companies support Birmingham-Southern College
Reading time: 3 minutes
Alabama’s leading founders of tech-related companies are supporting a one-time investment of bridge funding from public sources to save Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) from closing.
Tech-related Companies Need BSC
In a joint letter to the board of Innovate Alabama, the entrepreneurs highlight the challenges of meeting workforce needs among tech-focused companies in Alabama and BSC’s invaluable role in meeting and filling that need.
The Alabama Innovation Commission, also known as Innovate Alabama, is a public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation.
Established by Gov. Kay Ivey in July 2020, the commission’s goals include access to capital, talent attraction and retention, and developing a skilled workforce to meet the needs of Alabama companies.
The List
The 24 signees to the letter include the leading tech-related from across the state:
- Sameer Ather, MD, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO, XpertDox, Birmingham
- Brooke Tanner Battle, Founder, Swell Fundraising, Birmingham
- Kenneth Bethune, CEO, Crossflow Technologies, Madison
- David Brasfield, CEO, ThreatAdvice, Birmingham
- Delphine Carter, Founder and CEO, Boulo Solutions, Birmingham
- Chris Giattina, CEO, BLOX, Birmingham
- Dave Gray, CEO, Stoneybrook Ventures, Birmingham
- Joshua Jones, Co-Founder and CEO, QuantHub, Birmingham
- Trent Kocurek, Founder, Airship, Birmingham
- Michael Lynch, Co-Founder and CEO, CHONEX, Birmingham
- Mike Mullen, Chairman and CEO, Circulogene Diagnostics, Birmingham
- Andrew M. Newton, President, Uniti Fiber, Mobile
- Shegun Otulana, Founder and CEO, Harmony Venture Labs, Birmingham
- Craig Parker, CEO, Guideway Health; Entrepreneur in Residence, Maynard Cooper &
Gale, Birmingham - John Peinhardt, Co-Founder and CEO, Strategypoint Corporation, Birmingham
- Mazi Rasulnia, PhD, Founder and Former CEO, PackHealth, Birmingham
- Duncan Rein, Managing Director, Tios Capital, Birmingham
- William Roark, CEO, Starfish Holdings, Huntsville
- George Salem, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Proxsys Rx, Birmingham
- Robert Shufflebarger, Founder and CEO, TriAltus Bioscience, Birmingham
- Sanjay Singh, PhD, Partner, CS Equities, and Founder/Advisor, Alabama Capital Network,
Birmingham - Bill Smith, Founder and CEO, Landing, Birmingham
- Tony Summerville, Founder and CEO, Fleetio, Birmingham
- Clete Walker, Founder, Vituro Health, Birmingham
“The leaders who signed this letter of support are creating much of the economic growth of the state. What they are building through their businesses will change Alabama – not only by providing career and financial opportunities for so many people, but also by creating the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
Birmingham-Southern College President Daniel Coleman
Local and Statewide Business Support
The letter from the tech executives comes a week after CEOs and founders from 11 major Birmingham companies signed off on a letter asking the Jefferson County legislative delegation to support Birmingham-Southern College’s request for public funds.
The Birmingham Business Alliance has also made support for BSC a priority for its 2023 legislative agenda.
The Plan
At this week’s Birmingham City Council meeting Councilors Carol Clarke and Hunter Williams will be leading a discussion about the future of BSC, its importance to Birmingham and plans to support the College. For information about BSC, how its financial challenges arose, and its workable plan to return to long-term financial resilience, visit bsc.edu.
