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EDPA’s Reignite Alabama announces winners of startup competition

The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) held its Reignite Alabama Finale to the Alabama Launchpad Response Pitch Competition Thursday, awarding a total of $150,000 in funding to four businesses that have developed innovations to address challenges presented by COVID-19. The event, produced within the headquarters of the EDPA with no live audience, was streamed on the website and Facebook. Seventeen judges volunteered to evaluate applications and pitches to determine one winner for each sector in Reignite Alabama. Each of the winners will be awarded $37,500 to build their business. In advance of the finale, judges reviewed the 41 applications made to the competition, which were more applicants than ever before. Reignite Alabama focused on four sectors: healthcare, education, manufacturing and lifestyle. To read more of the story visit: alabamanewscenter/reignitealabama

More About Alabama Launchpad

Established in 2006, Alabama Launchpad is Alabama’s most active, early-stage seed fund investor, driving innovation and job growth through startup competitions and ongoing mentoring for Alabama entrepreneurs. Alabama Launchpad is made possible by the generous support from Innovate Alabama, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the Alabama Department of Commerce, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Caring Foundation, Truist Bank, The University of Alabama, Auburn University, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Daniel Corporation Foundation. It is the state’s longest running business plan and pitch competition. Over the past 16 years, Alabama Launchpad has invested over $6 million into 116 Alabama startups. The winning startup companies have generated over 1,300 jobs for the state and have a combined post-money valuation of over $1 billion.

More About Our Partner, Innovate Alabama

Innovate Alabama is Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation with a mission to help innovators grow roots here in Alabama. Innovate Alabama was established to implement the initiatives and recommendations set forth in the Alabama Innovation Commission’s report, including smart policy solutions that will create a more resilient, inclusive and robust economy to remain competitive in a 21st-century world. With founding CEO Cynthia Crutchfield leading the charge, Innovate Alabama is also made up of a board of 11 innovation leaders appointed by Gov. Ivey, collaborating across sectors to advance industries, drive technology and facilitate an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship thrive. Learn more about Innovate Alabama at www.innovatealabama.org.