The Techstars cohort for 2021 is well underway, and many of the companies and founders involved in the program are assessing future commitments to Birmingham.
While some founders may return to their former cities, one company CEO based in Boston has already decided to invest in the Magic City.
Antonio Dixon, chief executive officer of SolarFi, is planning to establish a large portion of his company in Birmingham. SolarFi’s goal is to change urban planning by providing more access to solar-powered pods for things such as e-scooter charging, public spaces and other general uses.
The inspiration for the company came during his travels, Dixon said. He noticed people have a hard time finding access to energy in many parts of the world, especially in developing countries. That led him to create a company that made solar-powered lanterns. As Dixon progressed in his career, he said he wanted to use solar power and technology in new ways.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Dixon began crafting solar-powered pods and signed contracts with restaurants to provide a solution to outdoor dining seating. The company not only secured contracts for dining but also landed a big contract with New York Fashion Week to enable socially distanced modeling.
The pods’ walls are solar panels that fold open, enabling the creation of a space entirely run on solar energy. Entrepreneurs and sellers can then have a powered and self-contained unit that can enable charging of devices, refrigeration or any other electrical need.
Dixon said he has been bullish on the Techstars program in Birmingham for a while and applied last year. He said he also sees huge potential for one of his products called the bliss pod, a mobile and solar-powered enclosure designed as a kiosk for businesses.
Dixon said his goal is to manufacture the pod in Birmingham for customers east of the Mississippi River as well as make around 10 to 15 hires in the next six months.
SolarFi has signed a contract with Hardware Park to manufacture the pods and is moving into the space soon. Dixon said being located in Birmingham has major advantages because of its proximity and ease of travel between his space at Techstars and Hardware Park.
“Hardware Park (has a) large space to fabricate,” he said. “We don’t have a large amount of space to do stuff like that in New York. Secondly, it’s within five minutes of where (I) live at the Foundry. It’s within five minutes of our office at Techstars. If you work in New York City, to get a manufacturer for New York, it’s going to be like two hours outside of the city.”
While Dixon is establishing Birmingham as a manufacturing hub, he is still looking to make improvements as the company continues through the Techstars process. While improving the overall manufacturing process is a major priority for the company, it is also looking to establish itself in the state beyond manufacturing.
Dixon said he wants to incorporate the pods into smart-city initiatives in both Montgomery and Birmingham. He is looking to partner with major corporations and events for them to utilize the pods as well.
