Reviewed by: Sharron Swain
Meet the 2 startups who just won $75K at Alabama Launchpad
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Big news: On Friday, April 19, Alabama startups Equip and Kimmie Stylz won a combined $75,000 in startup funding during the Alabama Launchpad Cycle 1 Finale.
Read on to learn more about these two award-winning startups.
Equip — Seed Stage, $50K
Finalists in the early seed stage are competing for $50,000 to accelerate the growth of their existing business.
Co-founded by Trent Kocurek and Betty Patten, Ph.D., Equip is an app-based platform designed to help meet the needs of the neurodivergent community, including individuals with:
- Autism
- ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)
- IDDs (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities)
Through Equip, individuals who experience the world differently are empowered to find independence with support for scheduling, mood regulation, progress toward milestones and much more.
“I am elated—I can’t even explain the feeling right now. This team has worked so hard to put together not only an amazing product that serves an amazing community, but also to be able to tell that story in a way that everyone connected with.
I feel truly inspired and reaffirmed in the mission that such influential people who have gone before us believe in us and are allowing us to take this investment to pour into the lives of others so that our impact can be multiplied. We are truly, truly humbled, yet invigorated and ready to work.”
Trent Kocurek, Co-Founder and CEO, Equip
Equip: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn
Kimmie Stylz — Concept Stage, $25K
Finalists in the concept stage are usually pre-revenue and compete for $25,000.
Founded by Birmingham entrepreneur and natural hair care stylist Kimberly Cornner, Kimmie Stylz is a line of quality hair products made with natural ingredients for diverse, textured hair.
A natural hair care stylist of 15 years, Kimberly created her products to help others recognize how proper hair care can have a positive effect on self-esteem, confidence and health.
“Growth is in our future. Our products are selling, and this money will help us drastically in getting our products to the community. I can’t thank Alabama Launchpad enough for the guidance and helping me pivot to look at my company in a new way I hadn’t looked before.”
Kimberly Cornner, Founder and CEO, Kimmie Stylz
Kimmie Stylz: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Alabama Launchpad: Funding competitive startups since 2007
A program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), Alabama Launchpad invests in promising startups like Equip and Kimmie Stylz.
In fact, Alabama Launchpad is the most active early-stage seed fund investor in the state, investing more than $6 million in 119 startups since 2007.
“EDPA’s Alabama Launchpad program is vital to promoting entrepreneurship in the state of Alabama—and I see that both from within and also recruiting entrepreneurs to the state.
Being accepted into and going through the Alabama Launchpad program is such a benefit to all companies, even those who don’t win.”
Mary Marshall VanSant, Director of the University of North Alabama’s Center for Learning & Professional Development
Do you know someone working on a startup in Alabama? Make sure they apply to the next Cycle of Alabama Launchpad, where they can receive invaluable mentorship from experienced founders, network with other startups facing similar challenges and compete for funding.
Application for the next Cycle of Alabama Launchpad open Wednesday, May 1. Tag @alabamalaunchpad on Instagram to let them know when you apply!
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