Alabama Inno is recognizing companies and organizations that have been fantastic innovators in their local communities in its annual Inno Fire Awards.
Cassidy Beegle
The creativity and passion of Alabama startups and entrepreneurs has not been halted by the pandemic and uncertain times.
Alabama’s innovative world continues to build, and there are some major players "on fire." From Huntsville to Mobile, entrepreneurs, startup leaders and incubator programs are not only finding success but also generating success for others.
Alabama Inno is recognizing companies and organizations that have been fantastic innovators in their local communities in its annual Inno Fire Awards.
Fire Award honorees were determined by looking at funding, headcount additions, social and community impact, product launches, company pivots, company growth and through stories of innovators reshaping the ecosystem. Meet them in the included gallery:
Alabama Inno Fire Awards
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UAB Entrepreneurship Program
The program is serving entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow, connecting them with high-impact consulting and outreach engagements. Leaders embed entrepreneurial mindset training and practical experiences into undergraduate and graduate curricula in the Collat School of Business and across UAB. They have raised over $2 million since 2018 and are currently undertaking a new $5 million campaign to support scholarships and programming.
The program is serving entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow, connecting them with high-impact consulting and outreach engagements. Leaders embed entrepreneurial mindset training and practical experiences into undergraduate and graduate curricula in the Collat School of Business and across UAB. They have raised over $2 million since 2018 and are currently undertaking a new $5 million campaign to support scholarships and programming.
Lori Wood, UAB
TechMGM
It is a collaboration of local industry, educational and government entities working to connect and leverage Montgomery’s technology-related assets. It aims to maximize the community’s diverse technology talent and promote the city as an innovative technology hub to enhance the workforce and grow the regional economy. Montgomery has a tech economic development strategy, fueled by the new MGMix Internet Exchange, the city and county, the state, Air Force and DoD partners, the RSA Data Center, universities and tech.
It is a collaboration of local industry, educational and government entities working to connect and leverage Montgomery’s technology-related assets. It aims to maximize the community’s diverse technology talent and promote the city as an innovative technology hub to enhance the workforce and grow the regional economy. Montgomery has a tech economic development strategy, fueled by the new MGMix Internet Exchange, the city and county, the state, Air Force and DoD partners, the RSA Data Center, universities and tech.
Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce
SwiftSku
Daniel Mazur, founder and COO, SwiftSku
SwitfSku has built a mobile app that connects to POS systems at convenience stores, enabling owners to remotely manage and monitor stores. It takes the guesswork out of running a store with predictive analytics, dashboards and reports.
The company has 1,400 stores on its platform and is aiming for double-digit growth month over month. Today SwiftSku has 30 employees and is actively hiring to grow the team.
Daniel Mazur, founder and COO, SwiftSku
SwitfSku has built a mobile app that connects to POS systems at convenience stores, enabling owners to remotely manage and monitor stores. It takes the guesswork out of running a store with predictive analytics, dashboards and reports.
The company has 1,400 stores on its platform and is aiming for double-digit growth month over month. Today SwiftSku has 30 employees and is actively hiring to grow the team.
Village Photographers
Alabama Futures Fund
Matt Hottle, Redhawk Advisory
”At Redhawk we believe the future of entrepreneurship, innovation and investing lies in the underserved markets outside of the traditional hubs of Silicon Valley, Boston and New York. Our mission is to aggressively seek the opportunities the large coastal firms ignore. Redhawk represents the largest pre-seed venture funds in Alabama.”
Matt Hottle, Redhawk Advisory
”At Redhawk we believe the future of entrepreneurship, innovation and investing lies in the underserved markets outside of the traditional hubs of Silicon Valley, Boston and New York. Our mission is to aggressively seek the opportunities the large coastal firms ignore. Redhawk represents the largest pre-seed venture funds in Alabama.”
Submitted by Matt Hottle
Prismm
Martha Underwood, CEO, Prismm
Prismm is a modern solution to securing and sharing important information with family and loved ones when they need it most. There are many areas in which the company looks forward to growing. It is working on partnerships with wealth management firms, banks and estate planning firms for platform adoption, and its direct-to-consumer signup rates are steady and increasing. It currently has two employees and plan to add another soon.
Martha Underwood, CEO, Prismm
Prismm is a modern solution to securing and sharing important information with family and loved ones when they need it most. There are many areas in which the company looks forward to growing. It is working on partnerships with wealth management firms, banks and estate planning firms for platform adoption, and its direct-to-consumer signup rates are steady and increasing. It currently has two employees and plan to add another soon.
L.Jones Photography
Milkman Inc.
Alex Zotov, co-founder, Milkman Inc.
Milkman Inc. creates personalized, contextual and seamless experiences around food for consumers. Mealvana is a meal-planning app that works like “Netflix for recipes,” automatically putting together a menu personalized to nutritional needs and tastes. After winning Alabama Launchpad last November, the company has grown from having a minimal viable product to having tested on almost 500 users. It plans to publicly launch in October.
Alex Zotov, co-founder, Milkman Inc.
Milkman Inc. creates personalized, contextual and seamless experiences around food for consumers. Mealvana is a meal-planning app that works like “Netflix for recipes,” automatically putting together a menu personalized to nutritional needs and tastes. After winning Alabama Launchpad last November, the company has grown from having a minimal viable product to having tested on almost 500 users. It plans to publicly launch in October.
copyright Milkman Inc.
LunarLab
Elizabeth Anderson, CEO and co-founder, LunarLab
LunarLab launched in 2021 with a goal of helping people make beautiful, inclusive and innovative software. It has been profitable each month since launching with a repeat client rate of 60%. This year so far it has seen revenue grow 116% over last year, with a projected 186% growth for the year. It has also expanded its team to five in recent months. Leaders hope to see this growth continue. The majority of business is based in Alabama, but it has served national and even international clients.
Elizabeth Anderson, CEO and co-founder, LunarLab
LunarLab launched in 2021 with a goal of helping people make beautiful, inclusive and innovative software. It has been profitable each month since launching with a repeat client rate of 60%. This year so far it has seen revenue grow 116% over last year, with a projected 186% growth for the year. It has also expanded its team to five in recent months. Leaders hope to see this growth continue. The majority of business is based in Alabama, but it has served national and even international clients.
@ AudreyCreative.com
Kaya
Corey Anand, CEO and founder at Kaya
Kaya is building the next generation of mental health culture for the workplace. Anand started Kaya to help build stronger mental health support systems for the workforce that are inclusive, affordable and accessible. It aims to reduce isolation, increase engagement and enhance the workplace environment. Kaya connects employees across companies into mental health groups led by professional therapists based on shared life experiences.
Corey Anand, CEO and founder at Kaya
Kaya is building the next generation of mental health culture for the workplace. Anand started Kaya to help build stronger mental health support systems for the workforce that are inclusive, affordable and accessible. It aims to reduce isolation, increase engagement and enhance the workplace environment. Kaya connects employees across companies into mental health groups led by professional therapists based on shared life experiences.
Craig Hackey
Joonko
In early 2016, Joonko began when the founder set out to improve the lives of women, minorities and veterans in the workplace. After over a decade of climbing ladders in the tech world, Ilit Raz had perspective as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Through a series of conversations with her peers, Raz realized she wanted to work toward building a more equitable workplace for all. Joonko’s technology plugs directly into ATS, providing access to qualified talent from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
In early 2016, Joonko began when the founder set out to improve the lives of women, minorities and veterans in the workplace. After over a decade of climbing ladders in the tech world, Ilit Raz had perspective as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Through a series of conversations with her peers, Raz realized she wanted to work toward building a more equitable workplace for all. Joonko’s technology plugs directly into ATS, providing access to qualified talent from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
Ilit Raz
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
The campus, located in Huntsville, includes nearly 50 biotech companies and consists of 152 acres located within Cummings Research Park, the second-largest research park in the nation. Since its inception in 2008, HudsonAlpha has grown to represent 15 research labs and nearly 50 biotechnology companies that collectively employee over 1,000 people on the Institute’s 152-acre campus.
The campus, located in Huntsville, includes nearly 50 biotech companies and consists of 152 acres located within Cummings Research Park, the second-largest research park in the nation. Since its inception in 2008, HudsonAlpha has grown to represent 15 research labs and nearly 50 biotechnology companies that collectively employee over 1,000 people on the Institute’s 152-acre campus.
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Harmony Venture Labs
Shegun Otulana, founder, Harmony Venture Labs
“HVL exists to make a positive impact on local, digital and global communities by building startups and supporting founders. By generating new solutions and supporting entrepreneurs, we can foster an ecosystem of empowerment and economic opportunity. Our efforts are around supporting the growth of the companies we launch and acquire. HVL’s portfolio of companies includes CoWello, ListedKit, AppThink, Copysmith, TrustSpot and Funnelfly.”
Shegun Otulana, founder, Harmony Venture Labs
“HVL exists to make a positive impact on local, digital and global communities by building startups and supporting founders. By generating new solutions and supporting entrepreneurs, we can foster an ecosystem of empowerment and economic opportunity. Our efforts are around supporting the growth of the companies we launch and acquire. HVL’s portfolio of companies includes CoWello, ListedKit, AppThink, Copysmith, TrustSpot and Funnelfly.”
Submitted by Shegun Otulana
gener8tor
Hua Wang, director, gener8tor
The nationally ranked venture capital firm and accelerator brings together startup founders, investors, corporations, job seekers, universities, musicians and artists. The platform includes more than 75 programs spanning startup accelerators, corporate programming, speaker series, conferences, skills accelerators and fellowships. It is on track to hit $17 million in annual revenue and currently has 135 employees, with 12 of those based in Alabama.
Hua Wang, director, gener8tor
The nationally ranked venture capital firm and accelerator brings together startup founders, investors, corporations, job seekers, universities, musicians and artists. The platform includes more than 75 programs spanning startup accelerators, corporate programming, speaker series, conferences, skills accelerators and fellowships. It is on track to hit $17 million in annual revenue and currently has 135 employees, with 12 of those based in Alabama.
gener8tor
Fleetio
Launched in 2012, Fleetio started in Innovation Depot and is now located in the heart of downtown Birmingham. The software-as-a-service fleet management platform enables fleets of all sizes to automate fleet operations and manage vehicle and equipment life cycles. Since its founding, Fleetio has grown rapidly, notably growing nearly 400% from 2017 to 2020. In 2021, Fleetio ranked 315th on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500.It has about 200 employees and is steadily growing.
Launched in 2012, Fleetio started in Innovation Depot and is now located in the heart of downtown Birmingham. The software-as-a-service fleet management platform enables fleets of all sizes to automate fleet operations and manage vehicle and equipment life cycles. Since its founding, Fleetio has grown rapidly, notably growing nearly 400% from 2017 to 2020. In 2021, Fleetio ranked 315th on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500.It has about 200 employees and is steadily growing.
Fleetio
Condoit
Ian Hoppe, founder and CEO at Condoit
Condoit is a platform for the modeling and design of commercial and industrial electrical systems. Its tablet application allows users to collect all of the detailed information about an existing facility electrical system along with pictures and notes and then saves all of that information in the cloud in industry-standard formats for use by engineers, facility maintenance or other electricians. Recently the company has found traction in the EV charger installation space, helping installers map out existing electrical systems and plan for the installation of new chargers.
Ian Hoppe, founder and CEO at Condoit
Condoit is a platform for the modeling and design of commercial and industrial electrical systems. Its tablet application allows users to collect all of the detailed information about an existing facility electrical system along with pictures and notes and then saves all of that information in the cloud in industry-standard formats for use by engineers, facility maintenance or other electricians. Recently the company has found traction in the EV charger installation space, helping installers map out existing electrical systems and plan for the installation of new chargers.
Arges Incorporated
clearMINDnow
Liz Read, founder and CEO, clearMINDnow Inc.
ClearMINDnow started as a conversation at a kitchen table based on a family’s need and the needs of families around our country. We provide services to those impacted by, navigating or servicing the addiction management spectrum. After winning Alabama Launchpad Concept in 2020, clearMINDnow, Inc. began tech development, secured a partner and a team. It raised over $1 million in late 2021 to build out the product and launch the digital drug testing service.
Liz Read, founder and CEO, clearMINDnow Inc.
ClearMINDnow started as a conversation at a kitchen table based on a family’s need and the needs of families around our country. We provide services to those impacted by, navigating or servicing the addiction management spectrum. After winning Alabama Launchpad Concept in 2020, clearMINDnow, Inc. began tech development, secured a partner and a team. It raised over $1 million in late 2021 to build out the product and launch the digital drug testing service.
Amanda Orr
CAVU
Chris Sims
CAVU is a virtual learning platform built on community and dedicated to transforming the professional development industry. CAVU has signed a $1 million contract to provide virtual Agile training on a B2B basis for a Fortune 250 company, a partnership that will continue and expand into 2023. It has over 700 users in its system who have completed at least one of its training programs. It also received a $100,000 grant from the Alabama Power Foundation to start a LevelUp Scholarship.
Chris Sims
CAVU is a virtual learning platform built on community and dedicated to transforming the professional development industry. CAVU has signed a $1 million contract to provide virtual Agile training on a B2B basis for a Fortune 250 company, a partnership that will continue and expand into 2023. It has over 700 users in its system who have completed at least one of its training programs. It also received a $100,000 grant from the Alabama Power Foundation to start a LevelUp Scholarship.
CAVU Benefit Corporation
The team at BioGX
BioGX has grown into a major contender in the molecular diagnostics industry. Its American footprint allows for the manufacture of custom-designed, platform agnostic Sample- Ready reagents for Laboratory Developed Tests. With a global installed base of over 40,000 GeneXpert systems in 180 countries, one of its tests could be deployed quickly in multiple settings where actionable information is needed.
BioGX has grown into a major contender in the molecular diagnostics industry. Its American footprint allows for the manufacture of custom-designed, platform agnostic Sample- Ready reagents for Laboratory Developed Tests. With a global installed base of over 40,000 GeneXpert systems in 180 countries, one of its tests could be deployed quickly in multiple settings where actionable information is needed.
BioGX
Alabama Launchpad
Miller Girvin, EVP innovation and talent, EDPA
While Alabama Launchpad started in 2006 as a way to encourage the commercialization of intellectual property from Alabama universities, it has grown in scope and has now invested in 108 companies, from life science to software to consumer goods. In 2021, it added a robust mentorship component to programming. Launch Advisors help finalists grow their businesses, regardless of capital. This means all companies get tremendous value out of the program.
Miller Girvin, EVP innovation and talent, EDPA
While Alabama Launchpad started in 2006 as a way to encourage the commercialization of intellectual property from Alabama universities, it has grown in scope and has now invested in 108 companies, from life science to software to consumer goods. In 2021, it added a robust mentorship component to programming. Launch Advisors help finalists grow their businesses, regardless of capital. This means all companies get tremendous value out of the program.
Mary Margaret Chambliss
Linq
Elliott Potter, co-founder and CEO, Linq
Linq equips businesses and entrepreneurs with branded QR + NFC-enabled products to help them connect with, inform and nurture relationships with customers in the physical world through customizable mobile webpages. Linq debuted its flagship digital business card, at Sloss Tech 2019. It raised a first round of venture funding — led by the Alabama Futures Fund and with participation from local and West Coast investors. It has 30 team members and expanded to global customers.
Elliott Potter, co-founder and CEO, Linq
Linq equips businesses and entrepreneurs with branded QR + NFC-enabled products to help them connect with, inform and nurture relationships with customers in the physical world through customizable mobile webpages. Linq debuted its flagship digital business card, at Sloss Tech 2019. It raised a first round of venture funding — led by the Alabama Futures Fund and with participation from local and West Coast investors. It has 30 team members and expanded to global customers.
Linq App
Invention to Innovation Center
I²C is part of the Office for the VP for Research and Economic Development at UAH and serves as a regional initiative that fosters, promotes and accelerates commercialization of technology-based ventures through incubation, co-working, mentorship, funding and strategic support. Since opening doors in 2019, I²C has housed over 40 technology start-ups at its incubation facility on UAH’s campus.
I²C is part of the Office for the VP for Research and Economic Development at UAH and serves as a regional initiative that fosters, promotes and accelerates commercialization of technology-based ventures through incubation, co-working, mentorship, funding and strategic support. Since opening doors in 2019, I²C has housed over 40 technology start-ups at its incubation facility on UAH’s campus.
copyright UAH I²C
ResBiotic Nutrition Inc.
Dr. C. Vivek Lal, founder and CEO, ResBiotic Nutrition Inc.
ResBiotic Nutrition is a first-in-class respiratory probiotics company pioneering science-backed supplements for gut, lung and immune health. It incorporated in 2020, launched a flagship product, resB™ Lung Support in January 2021 and has been growing ever since.
Dr. C. Vivek Lal, founder and CEO, ResBiotic Nutrition Inc.
ResBiotic Nutrition is a first-in-class respiratory probiotics company pioneering science-backed supplements for gut, lung and immune health. It incorporated in 2020, launched a flagship product, resB™ Lung Support in January 2021 and has been growing ever since.
ResBiotic Nutrition Inc 2022
Urban Engine
Lacey Reinoehl, executive director, Urban Engine
Since 2015, Urban Engine has served thousands of entrepreneurs, founders, and innovators throughout Alabama. It is a nonprofit organization driven by people with big dreams and contagious energy who are dedicated to the development of building North Alabama’s startup hub.
Lacey Reinoehl, executive director, Urban Engine
Since 2015, Urban Engine has served thousands of entrepreneurs, founders, and innovators throughout Alabama. It is a nonprofit organization driven by people with big dreams and contagious energy who are dedicated to the development of building North Alabama’s startup hub.
Erin Cobb
Serina Therapeutics, Inc.
Randall Moreadith, CEO, Serina Therapeutics Inc.
Serina Therapeutics is a privately held, clinical stage polymer therapeutics company located in Huntsville. Its technology is based on a proprietary polymer platform based on polyoxazoline. Serina Therapeutics has been on a solid trajectory of growth since 2010. It has raised over $44 million in capital since inception. Its pipeline includes eight small molecule POZconjugates addressing unmet medical needs in some of the most challenging neurological disorders in medicine.
Randall Moreadith, CEO, Serina Therapeutics Inc.
Serina Therapeutics is a privately held, clinical stage polymer therapeutics company located in Huntsville. Its technology is based on a proprietary polymer platform based on polyoxazoline. Serina Therapeutics has been on a solid trajectory of growth since 2010. It has raised over $44 million in capital since inception. Its pipeline includes eight small molecule POZconjugates addressing unmet medical needs in some of the most challenging neurological disorders in medicine.
Randall Moreadith
Chonex
Michael Lynch, CEO, Chonex
The soil health company has raised $7.5 million and invested over 30,000-man hours over the last four years conducting bench testing, operating a pilot plant for 2.5 years and starting construction of its first commercial plant which will make Chonex profitable in the first quarter of 2024.
Michael Lynch, CEO, Chonex
The soil health company has raised $7.5 million and invested over 30,000-man hours over the last four years conducting bench testing, operating a pilot plant for 2.5 years and starting construction of its first commercial plant which will make Chonex profitable in the first quarter of 2024.
Townsend Kyser
Astound
Astound is a Birmingham startup aiming to develop a marketplace that provides research institutions and universities a way to find corporate sponsors for scientific research. The company recently received $1 million in funding from Nashville-based Mark Two Ventures, a venture studio that offers startups seed-stage capital, product development, software engineering and design expertise. Astound plans to have a limited launch for early beta customers later this year with a full launch of its platform in early 2023.
Astound is a Birmingham startup aiming to develop a marketplace that provides research institutions and universities a way to find corporate sponsors for scientific research. The company recently received $1 million in funding from Nashville-based Mark Two Ventures, a venture studio that offers startups seed-stage capital, product development, software engineering and design expertise. Astound plans to have a limited launch for early beta customers later this year with a full launch of its platform in early 2023.
Joel Berry
