Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
4 Birmingham startups + tech moves making headlines in 2026
Reading time: 3 minutes
Birmingham may be most well known for its rich history and top-tier restaurants, but The Magic City has also fostered a thriving tech and innovation landscape.
From local startups with big ideas to major investments fueling new projects, we’re here to catch you up on what’s happening in Birmingham’s tech scene so far in 2026.
What’s going on in the Birmingham tech scene?
1. New talent recruitment model announced in Birmingham
Birmingham-based tech talent firm DEPLOY is introducing a new hiring approach called Recruiting-as-a-Service (RaaS), designed to help companies build stronger talent pipelines.
Traditional recruiting often works on a transaction-based model—companies pay large one-time fees for each hire. RaaS flips that system by offering a subscription-based recruiting function that operates more like an internal talent team.
With RaaS, companies receive ongoing recruiting support that focuses on building long-term hiring pipelines, tracking hiring metrics and developing what the firm calls “talent clouds.” The goal: help Birmingham companies compete for talent against larger markets like Atlanta, Nashville and Austin.
The model also aims to improve the experience for job seekers by reducing ghosting and creating clearer communication during the hiring process.
2. Venture firm invests $1M+ in Alabama startups
Los Angeles-based venture capital firm Halogen Ventures is investing more than $1 million into several Alabama startups, including some with ties to Birmingham.
The funding round includes investments in three startups: Nyad, Accelerate Wind and KrillPay. Each startup focuses on emerging technologies ranging from renewable energy innovation to fintech platforms.
This isn’t the first time Halogen has shown interest in Alabama tech—In 2024, the firm joined forces with Innovate Alabama for a $10M investment into statewide startups.
3. Birmingham startup Linq raises $2M for AI messaging platform
Birmingham-based startup Linq recently raised $2 million to expand its AI-powered messaging platform.
Founded in 2019 by former Shipt execs Elliott Potter, Patrick Sullivan and Jared Mattsson, Linq originally launched as a digital business card company that allowed users to share contact information via QR codes and NFC technology.
After several pivots, Linq landed on its current iteration: an API that allows AI companies to offer their chatbots and assistants directly through mobile messaging services like iMessage, RCS and SMS. Unlike competitors, Linq’s technology allows users to interact with AI assistants without having to download yet another app.
With the new funding, Linq plans to scale its platform and grow its Birmingham-based team.
4. VeroSkills using AI to connect workers with skilled jobs
Another startup gaining attention is VeroSkills, an artificial intelligence service headquartered in Birmingham by CEO Daniel Walsh. From plumbing to HVAC and construction, VeroSkills helps small and mid-sized businesses hire dependable blue-collar workers quickly without agency markups.
For Birmingham and other Southern cities, platforms like VeroSkills could play a key role in helping connect workers with in-demand careers while strengthening the region’s workforce pipeline.
For more news like this, follow @bhamnow on Facebook + Instagram!
