Announcements
Upcoming Lunch & Learn Webinar: "Marketing and Website Design Tips for Startups"
Speaker: Ms. Ellen Didier, President of RedSage Communications
March 12, 2010 - 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Visit our webinar page for more information.
Check out the Alabama Launchpad 2009 Annual Report.
Many thanks to RedSage Communications for their help on the report.
Alabama Launchpad Awarded $250,000 Grant from State
We are very pleased to announce that the Alabama Research Alliance and Governor Bob Riley recently awarded a $250,000 grant to Alabama Launchpad to continue funding the annual Governor’s Business Plan Competition. This state investment leverages the financial support from the business community and seven research universities, creating a true public-private partnership to support entrepreneurs in Alabama. The State of Alabama is one of the first states in the country to create a statewide competition that mentors and coaches early-stage entrepreneurs in the discipline of writing a business plan. Through Alabama Launchpad, the State of Alabama helps entrepreneurs easily connect to seasoned entrepreneurs and investors across the state.
2010 Top 20 Startups Revealed!
Visit www.alabamalaunchpad.com/2010_top20 for the list.
Video from "Lunch and Learn" Webinar Now Available - www.alabamalaunchpad.com/webinars
What Makes a Compelling & Fundable Business Plan? Dick Reeves, Executive Director of the Huntsville Angel Network, shares his thoughts and guidance on what makes a compelling and fundable business plan from an investor's point-of-view. This is an excellent opportunity to get an inside perspective of how experienced investors evaluate early stage companies.
Alabama Launchpad Looking for Guest Bloggers!
We want to hear from Alabama's best and brightest on these topics. If you have an interest or know someone who would make a good guest, please let me know. We want to continue to expand the discussion on the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in Alabama's economy.
Here's a link to our blog: http://alabamalaunchpad.wordpress.com/
Alabama Launchpad Joins the Social Media Revolution!
Come be a part of the conversation. We want to hear from you. One of our goals is to create an open dialogue around the importance and potential of supporting innvoation and high-growth entrepreneurship in Alabama. We believe the program can create a dynamic economy in the state, and we want to engage everyone who shares our goals.
Through these outlets, we will share new and information about our programs, including the business plan competition. We will also share interesting articles, tips, and other resources. Check it out!
- Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlaLaunchpad
Join our LinkedIn Group: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2172524
Visit out Blog: http://alabamalaunchpad.wordpress.com/
2009-2010 Competition Dates Posted
The dates for the fourth year of the Alabama Launchpad business plan competition have been posted. Registration will begin on Monday, August 31st, and Phase I plans will be due no later than Friday, September 25th. As always, Phase I is optional and non-competitive.
Check out the competition homepage and calendar for details.
Past Winner Plans First Product Launch in September 2009
The past two years have been hectic for Prodigy Biosystems, a cell culture research company. Since winning third place in the June 2007 competition, Prodigy has raised $1.2 million from the Huntsville Angel Network and has completed a market analysis survey with hundreds of researchers nationwide with very favorable results. According to CEO Aaron Hammons, "Prodigy now has six employees, several interns, and too many consultants to count." The company is incubated at BizTech.
The company's first product, InQ, includes advanced software for growing, monitoring and measuring cells. The company will begin beta testing of the InQ system in July with ten esteemed scientists in advanced research centers across the country. Hammons adds, "The market launch of the InQ system will come at the October Society for Neuroscience conference in Chicago."
The company will debut their new website in the coming weeks: www.prodigybio.com. All of us with Alabama Launchpad wish Prodigy Biosystems continued suceess.
Media Coverage
Grand Ma's Need Launches Business
Article on past winner, Halo Monitoring, Huntsville Times 5/19/09
UAB Engineering School Wins Award
Article on winners of 2009 competition, Birmingham News 4/23/09
UA Team Among Winners in Launchpad Business Competition
News release from The University of Alabama, 4/23/09
UAB's Professor's Firm Wins Latest Alabama Launchpad
Article on winner of 2009 competition, Birmingham Business Journal 4/20/09
Medical Device Firm from UAH goes for $100K
Article on 2009 finalist, TEGTEC, Huntsville Times 4/18/09
Alabama Launchpad Secures State Funds
Birmingham Business Journal 9/26/08
Contact Lens Drug Delivery Wins Prize
The Birmingham News 7/10/07
UAH Teams Excel in Business Plans
The Huntsville Times 5/27/07
Launchpad Lures University Entrepreneurs
Birmingham Business Journal 5/11/07
