FLORENCE– Eight local startups will compete this Thursday for a share of $100,000 in funds at the Shoals Alabama Launchpad semi-finals competition. The semi-finals, located in the Mane Room on Pine Street in Florence, will begin at 8:30 AM, with finalists announced at 1:00 PM.
Eight innovative teams went through a rigorous application process, which included a video pitch and a business plan, in order to move ahead to the semi-final competition. Tomorrow, these teams will make a six-minute pitch to a panel of judges for a chance to move on to the final competition on February 21. Their ideas range from luxury leather shoelaces, to jewelry sealer, to an open marketplace for physicians and contract groups.
Shoals Alabama Launchpad is based on the successful statewide Alabama Launchpad Startup Competition. The Shoals area is the first regional site for Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) started in 2006. The regional startup challenge arises from a partnership among the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, the University of North Alabama College of Business and the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center, with supporting grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
More than one team can receive a share of the $100k in prize money, based on a general consensus from the judges. In order to receive prize money, winning teams must commit to headquarter their business in the Shoals area for a minimum of five years. Winners from the Shoals Alabama Launchpad regional can also compete in Alabama Launchpad. Sponsors for Shoals Alabama Launchpad include the Anderson Family Foundation, Bank Independent and the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Payments in Lieu of Taxes for Colbert County.
About Alabama Launchpad
Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, helps high growth companies start, stay and grow in Alabama, while supporting, advocating, and recognizing entrepreneurship statewide. Started in 2006, Alabama Launchpad encourages innovation and job growth in the state through startup competitions, federal grant writing workshops, the Alabama Innovation Awards, and the annual Alabama Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference.
About The Shoals Alabama Launchpad
The Shoals Alabama Launchpad is a partnership of University of North Alabama College of Business, the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center and Alabama Launchpad. Shoals Alabama Launchpad helps entrepreneurs and businesses in the Shoals through funding, startup competitions, resources and more. The Shoals Alabama Launchpad helps companies start, stay and grow in the Shoals region, while supporting, advocating and recognizing entrepreneurship locally and statewide.
Schedule Of Presentations
Welcome to the inaugural Shoals Alabama Launchpad competition! Shoals Alabama Launchpad is a partnership of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, the University of North Alabama College of Business, the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center and Alabama Launchpad, a program of EDPA. Today, each of our eight innovative teams will be making a six-minute pitch in hopes of reaching the Finals on February 21, 2017. Finalists will be vying for a share of $100,000!
8:30 Welcome – Caitlin Holland (Shoals Chamber of Commerce), Greg Sheek (AL Launchpad)
8:35 Opening remarks – Dr. Santanu Borah (UNA); Mayor Steve Holt (Florence); Andy Mann (Shoals Chamber of Commerce); Giles McDaniel (Shoals Entrepreneurial Center)
8:50 Seacoast Publishing publishes books for children, young adults, and general fiction and non-fiction. The main line of the company is the American Roots Series.
9:10 Alchemy is a jewelry sealer that protects your skin from discoloration and irritation and protects your jewelry from tarnishing.
9:30 LUXE-BRAND represents luxury leather shoelaces at their most refined, with an enduring dedication to unrivaled craftsmanship.
9:50 Sycamore Physician Contracting is an open marketplace for physicians and contract groups.
10:10 BREAK
10:25 Southern Swaddle makes innovative infant products that lower the infant mortality rate.
10:45 Red Gingham Gourmet prepares all-natural, preservative-free cornbread muffins which are sold in the freezer section of your grocery store.
11:05 Chumz offers a streamlined process for college students to maintain purchasing control, while providing a secure and convenient method to obtain their textbooks.
11:25 nSide offers the world’s first fully collaborative, building interior, and campus visualization solution.
11:45 Lunch/Networking/Judges’ Deliberations
12:45 Closing Remarks – Janyce Fadden (UNA)
1:00 Recognition of sponsors and announcement of finalists – Caitlin Holland
