Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
Annual Birmingham tech conference SlossTech draws record number of attendees
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Nearly 1,400 people flocked to downtown Birmingham for the annual tech conference, SlossTech, hosted by TechBirmingham. The organization says 2025 was its most successful year since its founding in 2016.
This was also the first year that the conference lasted three days.
Here are some of the numbers from this year:
- 🧑🤝🧑 56% increase in attendees from 2024
- 🎟️ 32% increase in ticket revenue
- 📈 64 sponsors — an 83% increase from last year
- 🎤 95 speakers across keynotes and breakout sessions
- 🔥 50 total participating startups
- 📃 100 applications from startups submitted to the pitch competition
- 💰 $75,000 total given to pitch competition winners
“What we witnessed this year was truly historic…SlossTech 2025 proved that Birmingham and the broader Southeast are driving the future of technology.”
Deon Gordon, President and CEO of TechBirmingham
SlossTech, self-described as the “Southeast’s Hottest Tech Conference,” is presented by Innovate Alabama, the first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, tech and innovation to help innovators grow roots in Alabama.
The event was powered by TechBirmingham, which promotes tech companies in the region, helps to recruit and retain tech talent and provides the current and future workforce with technical education and professional development opportunities.
Startups compete for thousands of dollars in cash prizes
This was the first conference featuring the Sloss.Tech/Ideas pitch competition supported by the Regions Foundation.
Categories represented four key technology sectors: Agtech and Foodtech, Healthtech and Biotech, Mobility and Transportation, and Technology and Emerging Tech.
“The quality of innovation we saw from these Southeast startups was remarkable. These companies represent the entrepreneurial spirit driving economic growth throughout our region, and we’re proud to support their journey through this competition.”
Marta Self, Executive Director of the Regions Foundation.
WiNK Therapeutics from Miramar, Florida, claimed the $50,000 Grand Prize for their RNA aptamer platform that is driving the development of treatments for Type 1 diabetes and solid tumors.
HERide from Atlanta earned the $10,000 People’s Choice Award for their women-first rideshare platform.
Opportunity for all
SlossTech’s Next in Tech program continued to provide free tickets to students and early-career professionals this year, enabling 200 attendees the ability to attend the conference. They were able to make industry connections, learn about opportunities in tech and get inspired by influential speakers.
Keynote speakers included:
- Zack Kass, Advisor, futurist and the former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI and current Executive-in-Residence at the University of Virginia
- Rashaun Williams, “Shark Tank” Guest Shark and co-founder of Queensbridge Venture Partners
- Johnny Cupcakes, award-winning entrepreneur and customer experience expert
- Dr. Ruha Benjamin, Princeton University professor and founding director of the Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab
Pynk Beard performed an unforgettable sendoff
This was also the first year that the conference hosted an afterparty at Workplay. It featured Grammy-winning country artist Pynk Beard.
Organizers aimed to celebrate conference attendees and to show off some of Birmingham’s Southern hospitality.
“Alabama’s tech community continues to stand out for being genuinely supportive and collaborative. What founders and attendees discovered at SlossTech 2025 is an enthusiastic community ready to help them succeed, backed by the kind of authentic connections that make our region special.”
Maria Underwood, current board chair for TechBirmingham
Did you attend SlossTech this year? Tell us about it and share your pics by tagging @bhamnow on Instagram and Facebook!
