Grow your start-up with Alabama's best accelerators & incubators

The accelerator, located in Birmingham, Alabama, is a 13-week mentorship-driven program aimed at startups focusing on innovative electrical and utility solutions within the EnergyTech sector. Powered by Alabama Power and supported by the Alabama Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, it offers hands-on mentorship and access to Techstars' global network. The program covers a wide range of domains within the energy vertical, including renewable energy, clean energy, smart grids, and more. The accelerator prioritizes diversity and inclusivity, welcoming founders from various backgrounds worldwide. Startups in Climate Tech, Clean Tech, Energy Efficiency, energy distribution, smart grids, and wind energy are encouraged to apply. Participating companies receive $120K for 6% equity, along with guidance from industry experts and Techstars mentors. Founded by key individuals such as Brad Feld, Chisa Egbelu, Daniel Mason, David Brown, David Cohen, and Jared Polis, the accelerator aims to drive innovation in energy technology and culminates in a Demo Day where startups showcase their progress. Some of the notable alumni start-ups include- EarthABC, Split EV, MaverickIQ.

Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator's Website

This premier program is designed to foster innovation in the energy sector, specializing in Climate Tech, Clean Tech, and Energy Efficiency. It covers a broad range of areas, including renewable energy, smart grids, solar power, and electric vehicles. The accelerator aims to invest in a significant number of pre-seed startups, enhancing the flow of capital to entrepreneurs. Applications for the program open on May 22, 2024, with a final deadline on September 9, 2024. The initiative will commence in December 2024 in Birmingham, Alabama, lasting for a duration of 13 weeks. Founders will benefit from access to mentorship, industry expertise, and essential resources provided by one of America's largest energy producers. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusivity, welcoming innovators from various backgrounds to contribute to the future of energy solutions. Notable figures associated with it include founders such as Brad Feld, Chisa Egbelu, and David Cohen, all committed to enabling startups to achieve their full potential in the evolving energy landscape.

Techstars Alabama Power EnergyTech Accel's Website

Innovation Depot is the heartbeat of Birmingham's entrepreneurial community, serving as an epicenter for technology, startups, and entrepreneurs in the region. Founded in 1987 through a public-private partnership, this non-profit 501(c)(3) tech accelerator and incubator is located in a 140,000 square foot building that was previously a Sears department store. Till date they have supported 125+ start-ups, and most impressively 77% of their start-ups have survived >6 years. Notable alumni include- Abel Healthcare, Coolbus, LunarLab The accelerator's mission is to incubate and accelerate tech and bio-focused, high-growth businesses by providing teams with a proven blueprint for success, support in strategic areas, and access to an inclusive community. Their programs include Vision ID, a free 7-day online course, and Voltage, a 6-week part-time idea incubator for tech-enabled business ideas. Innovation Depot specializes in technology and bio-related startups, offering resources, mentorship, talent attraction support, press exposure, and funding opportunities. This accelerator is instrumental in nurturing startups, fostering innovation, and contributing to Birmingham's entrepreneurial ecosystem, making it a valuable resource for early-stage companies in the Information Technology and Software fields.

Innovation Depot's Website

The Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HIIE) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) serves as a hub for technology commercialization, innovation development, and mentorship for emerging entrepreneurs. Impressively even in a market downturn year like 2023 they were able to engage 680+ investors, and generated >6 Mn $ in licencing revenue. The institute actively translates UAB discoveries and ideas into new products and start-up businesses. It operates within a broad range of domains, including technology transfer, intellectual property, and commercialization, fostering an entrepreneurial community and innovative ecosystem at UAB. This allows faculty, staff, and students to commercialize innovation within the region and beyond. HIIE offers funding opportunities through the Blazer Bridge Fund, providing up to $50,000 for early-stage technologies, and runs the Innovate Fellows Program for graduate students and postdoc fellows. Additionally, the institute has a portfolio of innovative technologies available for licensing. It is a crucial player in translating research into practical applications, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting the growth of technology-driven ventures at UAB and beyond.

University of Alabama-Birmingham - Institute for innovation and Entrepreneurship's Website

The Entrepreneurship & Family Business accelerator at Auburn University's Raymond J. Harbert College of Business aims to inspire innovation on a global scale, supporting student and faculty startups through experiential learning opportunities. The New Venture Accelerator, a collaborative co-working space managed by the college and The Auburn Research and Technology Foundation, offers guidance to high-potential startups, aiding in market analysis, investor identification, and pitch strategy development. The Tiger Cage Accelerator and Incubator, a facility within the Auburn Research Park, nurtures student entrepreneurs in launching new ventures. The Auburn University Summer Accelerator, an intensive eight-week program, empowers students with mentorship and resources for business idea development. Participants likely benefit from networking opportunities and exposure to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. While specific metrics are unavailable, the accelerator is committed to fostering innovation and startup support. Alumni include- NanoPrintek, Rodopto, OMNIS.

Auburn University - Entrepreneurship & Family Business's Website

Founded by Austin Gurley and Ross Wesson, Deft Dynamics operates as a Startup Studio focusing on IoT, AI, and Robotics. It specializes in embedded electronics, RTM composites, app development, production design, and acting as a business studio. Their approach involves collaboration between designers, engineers, and business professionals to efficiently create high-quality products. The accelerator offers a world-class prototyping lab where Engineers and Entrepreneurs work together. It has a track record of successfully bringing ideas to life. Clients benefit from in-house developed comprehensive services, showcasing the company's commitment to providing end-to-end solutions. Deft Dynamics combines creativity, expertise, and speed to transform concepts into tangible products. Prominent alumni- ApexPro, Moxie, Gentle Machine

Deft Dynamics's Website

The accelerator represents a significant advancement in medical technology, emerging from a collaborative effort between the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudoise (CHUV) and CERN. This initiative is dedicated to developing an innovative accelerator system specifically for FLASH therapy, which enables the delivery of radiation treatment in mere milliseconds, a sharp contrast to traditional methods that take minutes. This new approach is designed to treat large, deep-seated tumors using high-energy electrons, incorporating cutting-edge technology derived from the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) project. The facility prioritizes reducing toxicity to surrounding healthy tissues while ensuring effective tumor control by rapidly administering radiation. Utilizing a combination of simulation tools and hardware inspired by CLICs advanced X-band and high-gradient technology, the inaugural clinical trials for this transformative treatment are slated for 2025. Spearheaded by notable founders Daniel Brosk, Eric Dynowski, and Jordan Lowe, it operates within domains that include artificial intelligence, healthcare technology, and robotics, reflecting its broad and impactful mission in the intersection of technology and healthcare.

DEFT's Website

Innovation Portal, a nonprofit incubator and innovation hub, is dedicated to accelerating startup growth in Southwest Alabama and the central Gulf Coast region. The organization serves as a platform that supports companies in scaling up high-impact innovations to create or disrupt markets. The EIC Accelerator, a key program, offers funding ranging from EUR 0.5 million to EUR 17.5 million through two modes of support: EIC Accelerator Open and EIC Accelerator Challenges. With a total budget of EUR 613 million for 2023, the EIC Accelerator Open has no specific topics assigned, while the EIC Accelerator Challenges, with an overall budget of EUR 524.7 million, focuses on specific themes beyond the digital sector. Companies applying to the EIC Accelerator go through a two-step process involving short and full proposals, leveraging Business Acceleration Services such as mentoring and networking. Innovation Portal caters to various domains like technology, healthcare, and sustainability, seeking to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. Notable categories for Innovation Portal include 'Communities' and 'Non Profit'. Prominent donors include- US EDA and Alabama Power.

Innovation Portal's Website

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to enhancing economic growth through collaboration among corporate, civic, and community leaders. The Prosper HealthTech Accelerator, powered by gener8tor, focuses on supporting health technology startups by providing essential coaching, capital, and strategic industry connections. The program invests up to $60,000 in each high-growth startup, acquiring 6% common stock equity in return. Over the course of 12 weeks, two cohorts annually each comprise five companies, fostering a diverse community of support. Participants gain access to a global network of mentors and investors, along with in-person guidance from the accelerator staff and partners at Redhawk Advisory. The initiative aims to position Birmingham as a hub for health technology innovation, emphasizing sectors such as digital health, medical devices, telemedicine, and health informatics. With a keen focus on building an inclusive and equitable economy, this institution plays a pivotal role in driving meaningful change in the healthcare technology landscape.

Prosper Health's Website

This organization operates in collaboration with a global venture firm to manage the gBETA Huntsville Accelerator, which serves early-stage companies in Huntsville and its surrounding areas. The accelerator program consists of seven-week cohorts that provide intensive, individualized coaching, along with access to a national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners, and investors. In spring 2023, the accelerator welcomed 10 startups, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing local entrepreneurship. Since its inception in 2021, the partnership has successfully created 20 high-tech jobs in Alabama, emphasizing its impact on the local economy. By focusing on fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, the institution plays a crucial role in community investment and economic development as a 501(c)(3) entity. While the program is sector agnostic, its primary aim is to assist startups in becoming venture-backable and economically impactful. Through valuable resources, networking opportunities, and mentorship, this foundation and its gBETA Huntsville Accelerator program are pivotal in supporting the growth and success of startups in the region.

MidCity Accelerator Foundation's Website

An entrepreneurial ecosystem associated with Auburn University, this institution is dedicated to fostering creativity, innovation, collaboration, and partnership. It leverages the university's intellectual property assets for technology-based economic development, facilitating technology transfer, developing industry partnerships, nurturing new business ventures, and attracting knowledge-based companies. Key initiatives include the New Venture Accelerator, located within the Research and Innovation Center, which offers approximately 7,000 square feet of office space and expert guidance for startups in business model development, pricing strategies, and investor pitching. Success stories from the accelerator include the Lawrence-McInof Probiotic Library, which received a $20K award to study probiotic bacterial strains to enhance crop resilience, a breathalyzer for dogs that detects heartworm disease sooner than traditional tests, NanoPrintek's application of additive nanomanufacturing technology in electronics, and XO Armor's development of advanced 3D-printed orthotics and implants for athletes. The organization promotes collaboration between academia and industry, creating a rich environment for innovation across sectors, with a specific focus on Agriculture Tech and Healthcare Tech.

Auburn Research Park's Website

The Montgomery TechLab Accelerator offers a 12-week industry-agnostic and immersive venture development program designed for early-stage technology-focused startups. Partnering with organizations like the City of Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama Power, the Lab on Dexter, MGMWERX, DCODE, and Fearless, it caters to startups in sectors like AgTech, Arts, Defense, Education, FinTech, Food Security, Healthcare, Hospitality/Tourism, Public Safety, and Social Innovation. The program aims to assist startups in improving their attractiveness to government and commercial customers. Applicants must provide detailed information about their company, product, target customers, business model, and more, with experience with the Federal Government and government customers being considered during the selection process. Their efforts are supported by Made in Alabama, BeSpin, TechMGM and more.

Montgomery TechLab's Website