BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Alabama Launchpad, a premier entrepreneurship competition, announced that six startup teams are one step closer to winning a share of up to $250,000 that could help them to take their venture to the next level.
Ten teams competed last week at Evonik Industries’ Birmingham location in the first pitch event for the Alabama Startup Cycle B Competition. Six startup teams are advancing to Launchpad’s Competition Finale on Aug. 27 at WorkPlay Theater at 500 23rd Street.
The finalists in the competition are:
- editBio LLC, based in Hoover, aims to create an efficient, web-based marketplace to connect global biological and medical scientists with freelance editors to communicate clearly their science through English-language publications.
- euHydrate LLC, based in Huntsville with a UAH affiliation, manages personalized optimum hydration for health, wellness and medical applications.
- IllumiCare Inc., based in Birmingham, is a non-intrusive ribbon of information that hovers over a hospital’s electronic medical record, showing physicians real-time, patient-specific costs and risks associated with tests and medications when they are about to order the next test or medication.
- Open Frame LLC, based in Mobile, has created NitroPCR, a mobile electronic patient charts for Emergency Medical Services.
- SimplyProse, based in Opelika with an Auburn University affiliation, is a collaborative writing platform that affords all writers a space to create, critique and market their work for profit or personal enjoyment.
- Tennibot, based in Auburn with an Auburn University affiliation, is a robotic tennis ball collector that allows the player to focus on having fun and hitting balls, not collecting them.
“We grow more impressed every competition with the caliber of startups and level of participation from the entrepreneurial community in Alabama,” said Greg Sheek, Alabama Launchpad programs director. “We congratulate the finalists and wish them much success at the finale in August.
“Starting a company is a difficult task; entrepreneurs need a variety of elements to be successful including mentorship, encouragement, funding and a network of contacts,” Sheek added. “Alabama Launchpad is pleased to help give early stage startups momentum to create new jobs and important innovation for the state of Alabama.”
The teams were selected after all 10 startups made 8-minute pitches before judges, who also provided feedback to all teams. Judges for this second round competition are entrepreneurs, investors, tech luminaries and corporate stakeholders.
Alabama Launchpad is a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. The program this month received a $650,000 state grant to fund its competitions.
