Alabama expanding innovation opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses
By Dennis Washington
May 13, 2021
The Alabama Innovation Commission met May 12 at at the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator in downtown Birmingham. (Dennis Washington / Alabama NewsCenter)
Entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to start and grow their businesses now have more opportunities and support in Alabama.
That message was the central theme Wednesday during the Alabama Innovation Commission‘s meeting at the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator in downtown Birmingham. The commission met to review its successes and map out goals for the remainder of 2021.
“To be at the midway point and to have the progress that the commission has made is absolutely incredible,” said Greg Barker, president of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. “There’s been meaningful legislation that has been passed, and then to outline what we’re going to do going forward, the way we’re going
Frontier Leadership panel features Economic Development Partnership of Alabama chief
By Alabama NewsCenter Staff April 16, 2021
Economic Development Partnership of Alabama President Greg Barker talked about the future of business on at the 2021 Frontier Conference. (file)
Creating a culture that spurs innovation and lays the foundation for success will help leaders survive and thrive in a hyper-competitive landscape, Greg Barker, president of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), said recently.
Innovation is a must, not an option, in this era of rapid change across industrial sectors, Barker said during a Frontier Conference virtual session facilitated by Whitney Wright, co-chair of Athena Collective. Change is being propelled by transformative technologies, including data analytics, artificial intelligence, the internet of things and smart manufacturing solutions, Barker said. Business leaders are under pressure to adapt and adjust.
Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator taking applications for 2021 class
By Alabama NewsCenter Staff
Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator is now taking applications for its second cohort of startups. (file)
Startups from around the world are encouraged to apply for the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator 2021 class.
In its second year, the innovative program, located in Birmingham, seeks early-stage startups focused on emerging energy technologies. Areas of interest include smart cities, electric grid resiliency and sustainability, industrial electrification, connectivity and electric transportation.
The class will run for 13 weeks and include 10 companies. Through their participation in Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator, startups will receive seed investment, business coaching and mentorship through Techstars’ worldwide network of business leaders.
The complete article can be found at AlabamaNewsCenter.com.
By Alabama NewsCenter Staff
The annual Innovate Huntsville event kicked off on Monday as a spotlight on the city’s innovation-focused economy, the region’s entrepreneurial resources and north Alabama’s technology and start-up ecosystem.
The virtual event opened with a panel discussion featuring members of the Alabama Innovation Commission. Moderated by Carter Wells, HudsonAlpha’s vice president for economic development, the panel included Miller Girvin, executive vice president of innovation and entrepreneurship at the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama; Peggy Sammon, CEO of GeneCapture Inc.; and Zeke Smith, executive vice president of external affairs at Alabama Power and president of the Innovation Commission’s advisory council.
Alabama-based Acclinate selected for international investment, innovation program
By Alabama NewsCenter Staff
Del Smith, chief executive officer, and Tiffany Whitlow, chief development officer of Acclinate. (contributed)
Acclinate has been selected for the 2021 class of the Cox EnterprisesSocial Impact Accelerator, powered by Techstars. Acclinate is a minority-owned, Alabama-based company that strives to achieve health equity and personalized health care for all by diversifying genomic data and clinical research.
The Social Impact Accelerator program provides virtual mentoring, funding and global connections to 10 for-profit, mission-driven companies. Acclinate is the only Alabama company to be selected for the 2021 class.
“I have a passion for using business to make a positive societal impact,” said Del Smith