Startups to Watch
ACBJ
As some metros and cities in Alabama continue to define themselves as up-and-coming tech hubs, startups with big ideas are thriving.
Some of these startups are poised to become major players.
For 2023, Alabama Inno compiled a list of 17 Startups to Watch, focusing on the young companies in the state that have garnered capital, customers or ideas that indicate a new year filled with growth and big moves.
While the future is certainly not written, the startups on this list have demonstrated a passion and a determination to become successful.
Startups to Watch
1 of 18
AI Metrics
AI Metrics successfully made the transition from beta sites and research deployments to clinical patient evaluations in 2022. With that milestone achieved, the company is poised in 2023 to scale significantly. It plans to secure its first national contract with one of the largest health systems in the U.S. next.
AI Metrics successfully made the transition from beta sites and research deployments to clinical patient evaluations in 2022. With that milestone achieved, the company is poised in 2023 to scale significantly. It plans to secure its first national contract with one of the largest health systems in the U.S. next.
AI Metrics
Nia Health
Nia Health, a virtual burn clinic, is working to fill a gap when it comes to access to burn care in Alabama. It received a $50,000 grant from the Magic City Match program, which founder Dr. Alisha Jiwani said will be used to establish a corporate office space and set up operations in Birmingham, participated in Alabama Launchpad and was a part of gBETA Huntsville’s fall 2022 cohort. Now, Nia is prepping to launch and forge partnerships.
Nia Health, a virtual burn clinic, is working to fill a gap when it comes to access to burn care in Alabama. It received a $50,000 grant from the Magic City Match program, which founder Dr. Alisha Jiwani said will be used to establish a corporate office space and set up operations in Birmingham, participated in Alabama Launchpad and was a part of gBETA Huntsville’s fall 2022 cohort. Now, Nia is prepping to launch and forge partnerships.
Amy DeLoach
TruSpin
This Innovation Depot-based company is developing materials that have applications in everything from lab-grown meats to wound care, mass-producing nanofibers using a commercially operated electrospinning facility in Birmingham. The company's growth is reflected in a recent investment round, which closed in September, totaling over $500,000. The round will provide a boost as the company establishes collaborations with corporate partners. TruSpin has raised around $900,000 in capital over the past year total.
This Innovation Depot-based company is developing materials that have applications in everything from lab-grown meats to wound care, mass-producing nanofibers using a commercially operated electrospinning facility in Birmingham. The company's growth is reflected in a recent investment round, which closed in September, totaling over $500,000. The round will provide a boost as the company establishes collaborations with corporate partners. TruSpin has raised around $900,000 in capital over the past year total.
TruSpin
Smart Alto
Accompanied by companies headquartered in Brooklyn and Oakland, Magic-City-headquartered Smart Alto was recently selected for Google for Startups Accelerator: Black Founders. It caught national attention for its goal of helping real estate agents and local service providers reach homeowners without cold calling through a big-data and machine-learning approach.
Accompanied by companies headquartered in Brooklyn and Oakland, Magic-City-headquartered Smart Alto was recently selected for Google for Startups Accelerator: Black Founders. It caught national attention for its goal of helping real estate agents and local service providers reach homeowners without cold calling through a big-data and machine-learning approach.
Snappr
TPM Research
In 2022, TPM finalized all new patented product designs, completed the initial run of its manufactured wheelchairs and placed pilot chairs with a dozen partner hospitals for use and evaluation. Now it is aiming to secure initial product sales.
In 2022, TPM finalized all new patented product designs, completed the initial run of its manufactured wheelchairs and placed pilot chairs with a dozen partner hospitals for use and evaluation. Now it is aiming to secure initial product sales.
Brittany Sturdivant
Versus
Versus aims to provide aspiring athletes access to elite mentorship and skills training with professional athletes through exclusive video content and conversational AI, and in 2023, hopes to introduce millions to its content.
Versus aims to provide aspiring athletes access to elite mentorship and skills training with professional athletes through exclusive video content and conversational AI, and in 2023, hopes to introduce millions to its content.
Versus
ShipShape Urban Farms
This agritech company with a big idea recently relocated its headquarters to Birmingham after taking part in the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech accelerator. Now, ShipShape Urban Farms, previously located in Mobile, is focused on the development of the Container Garden, a 3.4-acre hydroponic farm inside an up-cycled shipping container.
This agritech company with a big idea recently relocated its headquarters to Birmingham after taking part in the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech accelerator. Now, ShipShape Urban Farms, previously located in Mobile, is focused on the development of the Container Garden, a 3.4-acre hydroponic farm inside an up-cycled shipping container.
Techstars EnergyTech
TIXiMED Inc.
TIXiMED, which launched in 2021, is aiming to provide an additional oral medication to limit the need for insulin and help manage glucose control and improve quality of life for diabetic patients. Now, it's long-term goal for 2023 is to complete the first set of human safety studies of the phase 1 clinical trial.
TIXiMED, which launched in 2021, is aiming to provide an additional oral medication to limit the need for insulin and help manage glucose control and improve quality of life for diabetic patients. Now, it's long-term goal for 2023 is to complete the first set of human safety studies of the phase 1 clinical trial.
Steve Wood-UAB Creative Group
Accelerate Wind
A St. Louis-based startup with a goal of developing affordable wind turbines for commercial buildings recently made the move to Birmingham after participating in Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator and receiving an Innovate Alabama grant. Now it is poised to grow its team and scale up.
A St. Louis-based startup with a goal of developing affordable wind turbines for commercial buildings recently made the move to Birmingham after participating in Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator and receiving an Innovate Alabama grant. Now it is poised to grow its team and scale up.
Accelerate Wind
SunFire
Birmingham-based SunFire Biotechnologies, which started as a one-employee operation in 2019, is growing so rapidly that it is outgrowing its space in Innovation Depot for the second time. The company began as a contract research organization. It provides support services for companies that are developing vaccines by creating assays that help companies determine if their vaccines are safe and effective.
Birmingham-based SunFire Biotechnologies, which started as a one-employee operation in 2019, is growing so rapidly that it is outgrowing its space in Innovation Depot for the second time. The company began as a contract research organization. It provides support services for companies that are developing vaccines by creating assays that help companies determine if their vaccines are safe and effective.
Steve Wood
Xplosion Technology
In 2022, Xplosion secured a pilot with Children's of Alabama. Now, it aims to onboard two hospitals as clients and strategic partners. The long-term goal is to work with Alabama's most prominent health insurance provider.
In 2022, Xplosion secured a pilot with Children's of Alabama. Now, it aims to onboard two hospitals as clients and strategic partners. The long-term goal is to work with Alabama's most prominent health insurance provider.
Premier Night
Zaden Technologies
Zaden Technologies delivers automation solutions for enterprise software product teams. With an MRR of $310,000 and likely to reach $3 million for 2022, according to its founder, the company now aims to launch a general availability version of its product in 2023.
Zaden Technologies delivers automation solutions for enterprise software product teams. With an MRR of $310,000 and likely to reach $3 million for 2022, according to its founder, the company now aims to launch a general availability version of its product in 2023.
Mike Moore
MRIMath
A Birmingham-based startup, MRIMath, is aiming to launch software that will allow physicians to be aided by AI. Currently, when doctors draw the margins of a tumor they have to do it by hand which can take hours, co-founder Hassan Fathallah-Shaykh said. AI can complete the task in seconds. MRIMath's software uses AI to obtain measurements of brain tumor contours and volumes. The project was funded by the National Cancer Institute's SBIR program. Fathallah-Shaykh said the company, founded in 2017, has big aspirations for the future.
A Birmingham-based startup, MRIMath, is aiming to launch software that will allow physicians to be aided by AI. Currently, when doctors draw the margins of a tumor they have to do it by hand which can take hours, co-founder Hassan Fathallah-Shaykh said. AI can complete the task in seconds. MRIMath's software uses AI to obtain measurements of brain tumor contours and volumes. The project was funded by the National Cancer Institute's SBIR program. Fathallah-Shaykh said the company, founded in 2017, has big aspirations for the future.
Steve Wood UAB Photo
Kaya Care
Kaya is a startup that aims to be the next generation of mental health culture. The company offers virtual mental health groups led by licensed clinicians that connect employees from the same companies or different companies based on shared experiences. Originally based in San Francisco, Kaya made the move to Birmingham in February to join the Prosper HealthTech Accelerator spring cohort, and founder Corey Anand said he sees a future in the city.
Kaya is a startup that aims to be the next generation of mental health culture. The company offers virtual mental health groups led by licensed clinicians that connect employees from the same companies or different companies based on shared experiences. Originally based in San Francisco, Kaya made the move to Birmingham in February to join the Prosper HealthTech Accelerator spring cohort, and founder Corey Anand said he sees a future in the city.
Alabama Futures Fund
Zorro-Flow
A new UAB startup is working to improve care for neonates. In July, Dr. David Askenazi, medical director of the Pediatric and Infant Center for Acute Nephrology at Children’s of Alabama, and his team launched Zorro-Flow, a neonatal external urine-collection device, which has been designed to collect urine more safely and effectively in critically ill female neonates and children.
A new UAB startup is working to improve care for neonates. In July, Dr. David Askenazi, medical director of the Pediatric and Infant Center for Acute Nephrology at Children’s of Alabama, and his team launched Zorro-Flow, a neonatal external urine-collection device, which has been designed to collect urine more safely and effectively in critically ill female neonates and children.
ANDREA MABRY
Croux
Birmingham-based startup Croux is making an ambitious bid to solve one of the largest problems facing the hospitality industry today — staffing shortages. Croux is a platform that matches pre-vetted talent with businesses such as restaurants, hotels, breweries or catering companies that have temporary staffing shortages, providing workers the flexibility of a gig economy approach to working in the food-serving and hospitality industry.
Birmingham-based startup Croux is making an ambitious bid to solve one of the largest problems facing the hospitality industry today — staffing shortages. Croux is a platform that matches pre-vetted talent with businesses such as restaurants, hotels, breweries or catering companies that have temporary staffing shortages, providing workers the flexibility of a gig economy approach to working in the food-serving and hospitality industry.
Croux
Buzd
An unconventional Birmingham startup is providing same-day delivery on "late night essentials," including alcohol and CBD products, through a partnership with local bar Dave’s Pub and Near To Me Dispensary retail stores. Buzd, which launched in May, is an app in which users can create an order and have supplies delivered in less than an hour. It is currently delivering to Birmingham, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Irondale and some parts of Hoover.
An unconventional Birmingham startup is providing same-day delivery on "late night essentials," including alcohol and CBD products, through a partnership with local bar Dave’s Pub and Near To Me Dispensary retail stores. Buzd, which launched in May, is an app in which users can create an order and have supplies delivered in less than an hour. It is currently delivering to Birmingham, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Irondale and some parts of Hoover.
Contributed by Preston Hooten
