Reviewed by: Sharron Swain
These 2 innovative startups won $75K from Alabama Launchpad
Reading time: 5 minutes
Sponsored
On Thursday, December 7, the founders of ten startups from across the state traveled to Birmingham for Alabama Launchpad’s Cycle 3 Finale 2023—but only two startups could take home the big prize.
Read on to learn how DevClarity and Autonoma won a combined $75K in funding and how your startup could be the next Alabama Launchpad winner.
Held at Innovation Depot in Birmingham
A program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), Alabama Launchpad is the state’s most active early-stage seed fund investor. During the Alabama Launchpad program, participating startups study under experienced entrepreneurs (called Launch Advisors) to learn what it takes to become a long-lasting viable company.
Since its inception in 2006, Alabama Launchpad has invested more than $6.2 million in 117 startups from around the state. Today, that investment is valued at over a billion dollars (and yes, that’s a billion with a “b”) and has helped create more than 1,300 jobs in Alabama.
“Alabama Launchpad is an amazing program that doesn’t cost anything to sign up for and offers non-diluted funding to the winners—meaning you retain ownership of your company. The Launchpad team has partnered with great resources in Alabama to give participating startups advice in sales, marketing, building a team, human resources and so much more. If you’re a startup founder, you owe it to yourself to sign up for Alabama Launchpad.”
Will Blackburn, Co-Founder, DevClarity
For the third Alabama Launchpad Cycle of 2023, the team picked ten startups from around the state.
Concept-stage finalists’ businesses are usually pre-revenue and compete for the chance to win $25,000.
Early seed stage finalists compete for $50,000 to accelerate the growth of their existing business.
Check out this past Bham Now article to learn more about each of these startups.
Meet the Alabama Launchpad Cycle 3 2023 winners
DevClarity — Concept Stage, $25K
Founded by Peter Inge and Will Blackburn, DevClarity is an AI-based management platform designed to help software development leaders:
- Keep a real-time pulse on their teams
- Gain insights into the inner workings of their organizations
- Gather team feedback on specific issues
- Manage team performance
- And more
“When we started this process, DevClarity only had one or two customers. And now—just two months later—we have 10 customers in locations all across the world. This win is a big step forward as we look to validate our idea and expand our platform.”
Peter Inge, Co-Founder, DevClarity
- DevClarity: Website
Autonoma — Seed Stage, $50K
Founded by Will Bryan and Mustafa Alp, Autonoma is a software development company creating high-fidelity, real-time vehicle models and specialized geo-accurate 3D environmental models.
Autonoma’s software gives companies the tools they need to test their vehicles in a safe environment, in order to have a better understanding of how their products will perform under real-world conditions.
“Winning Alabama Launchpad means the world. This investment is going to help us accelerate our growth and continue to help our customers create safe, autonomous systems. We’re happy tonight, but tomorrow we’re going to be back to work to grow and expand into new markets.”
Will Bryan, Co-Founder, Autonoma
Autonoma, Inc.: Website | LinkedIn | Email
Your big idea could help you be the next Alabama Launchpad winner
The Alabama Launchpad team wants to help you grow your idea into our state’s next big thing. Ready to get started? Once applications open, you can apply to the next cycle of Alabama Launchpad to receive invaluable mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and learn from other founders facing similar roadblocks. Your name could be on the next Alabama Launchpad check!
“To any founders considering applying to Alabama Launchpad—just do it. There are no downsides. Even in the worst-case scenario, you’re going to receive great advice and meet inspiring advisors who know how to help your business. The prize money is nothing compared to the decades of experience that the advisors are able to impart on all startups.”
Will Bryan, Co-Founder, Autonoma
Stay up to date on the latest Alabama Launchpad news by following them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn!
Sponsored by:
