The Alabama ecosystem at a glance

Get a look inside innovation statewide with this quick reference guide.

Bob Farley

By Tyler Patchen - Health and Technology Reporter

September 14, 2021, 09:32am CDT Updated 09/22/2021 9:32 am

The tech and innovation ecosystem is vibrant in Alabama with small and medium tech companies and growing startups. However, with the rise of the tech industry in the state, it can be overwhelming to navigate.

With Ecosystem at a Glance, take a quick tour of the region's companies, organizations, colleges and universities that are collectively driving Alabama’s innovation economy.

NOTABLE TECH COMPANIES:

NOTABLE STARTUP ORGANIZATIONS:

Ad4! Business Acceleration | "Ad4! Group’s primary focus is always ensuring that the companies we work with make a return on their investment — after all we are Communication that Counts!"
Alabama Capital Network | "The Alabama Capital Network (“ACN”) is a network that facilitates introductions for entrepreneurs and accredited investors. ACN is not an investment or venture fund, investment advisor or broker dealer and is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state regulator. All investment opportunities presented are made available to members of the ACN with consent of the company raising capital."
Alabama Futures Fund | "Our Fund seeks to be the first significant investment in an early-stage venture that can reach attainable milestones leading to series A financing within 12-24 months. Our sweet spot is companies that have adaptable and coachable founding teams who have identified a significant customer problem and are working towards product market fit."
Alabama Launchpad | "Started in 2006, Alabama Launchpad is the state’s most active early-stage seed fund investor, driving innovation and job growth through startup competitions and ongoing mentoring for Alabama entrepreneurs."
Auburn Business Incubator | "The Auburn Business Incubator, located at the Auburn Research Park, provides start-ups the basic needs to become successful. The Auburn Research and Technology Foundation has the answer – an incubator. Not just any incubator, but one fortified with business principles to help breathe life into even the smallest start-up."
Bessemer Business Incubation System | "The Bessemer Business Incubation System (BBIS) is a full service business development organization providing space and services to those businesses participating in the service, light industrial/manufacturing and information technology industries."
BizTech | "Biztech is a business incubator founded in 1997 and is located in Huntsville, AL. The goal of BizTech is to help entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality by giving them the tools and guidance to succeed."
Bronze Valley | "Bronze Valley is a non-profit, early stage venture investment platform that supports high growth, innovation and technology-enabled companies created by diverse, underrepresented and underestimated founders. The organization is also certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (“CDFI”)."
Bronze Valley Accelerator | "Bronze Valley Accelerator is a free, seven-week accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots. Each program is capped at five teams, and requires no fees and no equity."
Collective Capital Ventures | "Collective Capital Ventures is a Southeastern-based investment firm led by experienced entrepreneurs and investment professionals. Our unique "Self-Directed Venture Capital" process gives individual investors the building blocks to construct an automatically diversified portfolio of high-growth technology companies."
Decatur-Morgan Country Entrepreneurial Center | "The Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center is known as “The E-Center.” Our mission is to encourage, enthuse, and empower entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses."
Economic Development Partnership of Alabama | "For 30 years, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama has been a catalyst for economic growth in the state. During that time, the Partnership has contributed to Alabama’s greatest economic development successes."
Enterprise Business Incubator | "Enterprise Business Incubator, located in the Yancey Parker Industrial Park in Enterprise, is designed to foster the development of small manufacturing firms."
Harbert Growth Partners | Harbert Growth Partners (“HGP”) seeks to generate attractive returns for our investors by identifying and investing in promising emerging growth stage technology companies. We seek to invest in what we believe are attractive technology ecosystems outside of Silicon Valley and the Northeast, areas with a vibrant entrepreneurial community, leading research universities and significant startup and early-stage investment activity."
Hatch | "The University of Alabama, the City of Fairhope and the Baldwin Community and Economic Development Foundation have partnered to create Hatch, a business resource hub for technology-based entrepreneurs in Baldwin County. Hatch provides Baldwin County’s new and existing startups with a place to learn and grow."
HudsonAlpha | "The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology has a three-fold mission of conducting genomics-based research to improve human health and well being; sparking entrepreneurship and economic development; and providing educational outreach to nurture the next generation of biotech researchers and entrepreneurs, as well as to create a biotech literate public."
I85 Cyber Corridor | "An initiative to create & sustain the systems/services/infrastructure needed for a robust Central Alabama based creative-tech startup community."
Innovation Depot | "(Innovation Depot's mission is) to incubate and accelerate tech & bio-focused, high growth businesses by providing teams with a proven blueprint for success, support in strategic areas, and access to an inclusive and supportive community."
Innovation Portal | "Innovation Portal is a nonprofit incubator and innovation hub accelerating startup growth in Southwest Alabama and the central Gulf Coast. Innovation Portal provides a growth-focused space and community for entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives to work and connect."
Jemison Investment Company | "We are a family office that makes direct investments in companies within a variety of sectors and at multiple stages. As investors, we maintain high but achievable expectations and deploy our capital behind proven operators."
Lake Martin Innovation Center | "The Lake Martin Innovation Center is a partnership between the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and Valley Bank. The former bank operations center is located in Alexander City on US Hwy 280 centrally located between Birmingham and Auburn/Opelika."
Montgomery TechLab | "Our mission is to advance innovation and entrepreneurship in the Montgomery region through education, acceleration, and incubation."
Northeast Alabama Entrepreneurial Center | "The Entrepreneurial Center is a business incubator for start-up service companies and light manufacturing businesses. Business incubation facilitates the growth of home grown companies by offering turn-key space and mentoring."
Pike County Economic Development Center- Business Accelerator | "The Pike County Economic Development Center is a small business incubator located on US 231 South in the Troy Industrial Park South. This facility serves as a business incubator for entrepreneurs and start-up small businesses."
Redhawk VC | "Redhawk is a small but experienced team with over thirty-years of experience in startups, operations and investing. As former entrepreneurs we put founders first."
Shoals Business Incubator | "Business incubation is a proven tool for regional economic growth. Our unique cluster of commercial space, business counseling and technical assistance, and wide-ranging network of partners can provide a critical framework to help entrepreneurs meet their business goals."
TechBirmingham | "The mission of TechBirmingham is to strengthen and promote the technology ecosystem by promoting tech companies in the region, helping to recruit and retain tech talent and entrepreneurs, and providing opportunities for technical training and education."
TechStars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator | "This program focuses on startups addressing innovative electrical and utility solutions."
TechVillage Cullman | "TVC supports new local businesses during their startup phase, and is a partnership between Cullman Economic Development Agency, The City of Cullman, Wallace State Community College, and the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce."
The Catalyst Center for Business and Entrepreneurship | "The Catalyst Center serves entrepreneurs and small business owners in every stage of business. We aim to provide best-in-class coaching, in-demand services, and relevant programs to foster the success of small businesses."
The EDGE Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation | "The mission of The EDGE is to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to help startups and to drive the growth of their businesses. The EDGE supports both new and established firms by providing space and learning opportunities, all designed to help build and grow businesses, innovation and jobs."
The Lab on Dexter | "The Lab on Dexter is a public-private partnership to grow the tech and innovation ecosystem in the Montgomery community. This collaborative learning environment is for entrepreneurs, tech and innovation professionals and those looking to network within the River Region."
The Invention to Innovation Center | "The Invention to Innovation Center (I²C) is a regional initiative that fosters, promotes, and accelerates commercialization of technology-based ventures through incubation, coworking, mentorship, funding, and strategic support."
Urban Engine | "Our programs accelerate STEAM innovation, connect aspiring entrepreneurs and established business leadership with educational resources, talent and community, and provide a platform for professional development unique to the state."
Velocity Accelerator | "The Velocity Accelerator is a 13-week program that provides participants with $50,000 in seed capital up front and the potential for grant funding at the end of the program."