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Birmingham Business Alliance, Match for Impact event, Jan. 2026 at Woodlawn Theatre. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Ever wonder how the Magic City’s small businesses continue to level up? Here’s one big reason why: The Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA), with Innovate Alabama, just awarded Match for Impact Grants to 16 local companies who each received at least $40,000 in services and expert support on marketing, finances, operations and future planning.

Read on to see who received the grants and how they’re helping our city’s small business scene grow—plus how you can step up your own business game.

How these grants support Birmingham businesses

Birmingham Business Alliance, Match for Impact grantees

The Match for Impact celebration brought together Birmingham’s business community to recognize grant recipients. (Jerrod Brown Studios)

Match for Impact Grants aren’t just checks—they help small businesses take real steps, like reaching more customers, expanding products and planning for bigger opportunities.

Small businesses are the heart of Birmingham, and they don’t grow alone. It takes real support and guidance from people who know the ropes.

“The Match for Impact Grant is more than money. It’s about giving local small business owners the help they need to turn ideas into action.”
Victor Brown, Small Business Director, BBA

This program gives these companies a roadmap for growth, helping them focus on what matters most and set themselves up for long-term success.

“The BBA’s dedication to supporting small businesses across all seven counties is what makes the Greater Birmingham Region such a powerful part of Alabama’s innovation landscape.

Match for Impact reflects the kind of thoughtful, region-wide support the Innovate Alabama Network was created to support. When organizations invest in people, places and resources together, it creates impact that reaches far beyond individual companies.”

Karri Green, Network Designation Program Director, Innovate Alabama

The 2026 Match for Impact grantees

These 16 companies received Match for Impact grants, showing just how creative and hardworking Birmingham’s small businesses are:

At Home Auto Care
C&J Lawn
Croux
Digital Motion Event Service
Gooden Inspection Services
G.L.A.A.M Cosmetics
Health Innovations of Ashville
Lambert Financial
Mighty Muscle
Moore’s Granola
Nia Health
Red Car Creamery
Shipshape Urban Farm
Top Two Cleaning
Total Power Electric
Tutor Nation

What’s next for these companies? Each winner will work with their matched experts over the coming months to put their growth plans into action. From marketing strategies to streamlining operations, they’ll be making big moves to reach more customers, expand their services and set themselves up for long-term success.

This program is about more than short-term wins—it’s about building strong foundations so these small businesses can keep growing for years to come, hire more people and add even more value to Birmingham.

“This is an incredible opportunity, and we appreciate all that the BBA does to support Alabama’s small business community.”
Allison Patten, Co-Founder + Business Manager, Health Innovations of Ashville

Get help growing your small business in Birmingham

Curious how your small business could get support like this? The BBA’s Small Business Intensive is a great place to start.

It’s a free 15-week program that gives hands-on support, peer mentoring and guidance in marketing, finances and planning.

By the end, you’ll walk away with a simple and strategic plan to grow your business and be ready for future opportunities, including grants like Match for Impact.

Birmingham’s small businesses are thriving thanks to programs like these. If you want to be next, now’s your chance!

Applications for the BBA’s Small Business Intensive are open now! Apply by February 13 and create a plan to take your small business to the next level.

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