ALABAMA Launchpad gives away another $175,000 in
seed capital to three start-up businesses!
3rd Place ($25,000) - Direct Injection Flat Head Engine Company - The University of Alabama. The team is led by Mr. David Holt, a current Master of Engineering and Juris Doctorate student at UA. Direct Injection Flat Head (DIFH) engines offer a patent-pending alternative to current carburetor-based and direct injection small engines. DIFH Engine Company's technology gives small engine companies a way to increase the efficiency of their engines and address reduced emissions mandates.
2nd Place ($50,000) - Spectrum PhenomX - a collaboration between the University of Alabama at Birmingham and The University of Alabama. The team is led by Ms. Sharney Logan, the Director of Business Development for the UAB Center for Biophysical Science and Engineering. Spectrum Phenom X develops and applies high-throughput phenotyping techniques to streamline the analysis of complex genetic diseases, such as cancer and obesity. These techniques provide a quantitative and genomic assessment of how variant genes can change activities of cellular pathways that can trigger specific disease processes.
1st Place ($100,000) - Innovative Composite Solutions - University of Alabama at Birmingham. The team is led by Dr. Selvum Pillay, a professor at the UAB School of Engineering. Innovative Composites Solutions specializes in the design, development and manufacture of high-end thermoplastic composite components for the military, aerospace, mass transit and other high demand industry sectors. A thermoplastic composite material is a lightweight, recyclable, heat-reversible and fiber-reinforced plastic. The company provides turnkey solutions for the replacement of metal components and structures in applications that demand improved performance.
Finale judges were:
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Mr. Greg Grice - Assistant Vice President, Hancock Horizon Investments
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Mr. Andre McFadden - CEO, Marnoel Company
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Dr. Arthur Tipton - VP, SurModics Inc. and President, SurModics Pharmaceuticals
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Ms. Lisa Williams - Founder and Former President, 3D Research
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Dr. Gary York - Technology Entrepreneur
The finale took place today at Heritage Hall on the campus of UAB. Finale sponsors were the Birmingham Venture Club, Burr & Forman LLP and Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino, LLC.
Thanks to everyone for another successful season of Alabama Launchpad. We're already planning for year number four starting in August!
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