Startups focused on helping those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and natural hair care products for kinky and curly hair won Alabama Launchpad funding.
Equip, which builds software to support daily routines, mood regulation, quick access to important information and more, won $50,000 through the program. Kimmie Stylz, which creates natural hair care products to detangle, moisturize and hydrate kinky and curly hair, won $25,000. Both are based in Birmingham.
Funds were formally awarded last month in Florence at the Alabama Launchpad Cycle 1 2024 Finale. Winners were chosen from a field of nine finalists. Equip won the early-seed stage competition, and Kimmie Stylz won the concept stage competition. All finalists received two months of intensive mentorship.
Croux won funding through the program last year, as did DevClarity.
Equip was cofounded by Trent Kocurek, founder of recently-sold Airship, and Betty Patten, director of the Auburn EAGLES program. Kimmie Stylz was founded by Kimberly Cornner.
“Growth is in our future,” Cornner said. “Our products are selling, and this money will help us drastically in getting our products to the community.”
University of North Alabama Center for Learning & Professional Development Director Mary Marshall VanSant was one of the judges.
“There are companies from The Shoals who have gone through it who didn’t win, and although they did not win then – they are thriving now, and I know that the program played a vital role in their success,” VanSant said of the program.
Alabama Launchpad has funded 119 startups since it was founded in 2007, awarding more than $6 million in non-dilutive funding.
Innovate Alabama helps run Alabama Launchpad. Funding sources include the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Alabama Power Foundation, the Daniel Foundation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s Caring Foundation, Truist and Wells Fargo.
Alabama Launchpad Cycle 2 2024 applications are open.
