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Alabama Launchpad announces Cycle 1 2025 finalists, highlighting Alabama’s top startups

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 10, 2025) — Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), in partnership with Innovate Alabama, has announced its finalists for Cycle 1 2025, featuring high-potential startups competing within three industry-specific tracks.    The competition, now featuring larger funding opportunities, will award up to $100,000 in non-dilutive funding to winning startups. Finalists will compete within their designated industry tracks, pitching their ventures to exclusive investor committees in a closed-door setting designed to prepare them for future conversations with investors or customers.    “With this new program structure, we are providing even more targeted mentorship and funding to help startups succeed in their respective industries,” said Estes Hughes, vice president of innovation and talent at EDPA. “We’re excited to watch these companies across technology, life sciences, and consumer goods sectors grow and contribute to the state’s economy.”    Since its founding in 2006, Alabama Launchpad has invested over $6.4 million in more than 120 startups, fueling job creation, economic growth, and innovation across the state. Collectively, these companies have generated over 1,400 jobs, secured more than $170 million in follow-on funding, and surpassed $1 billion in combined valuation.    The Cycle 1 2025 finalists will compete in one of three industry tracks: Life Sciences, Technology (Hardware & Software), and Consumer Goods.    Cycle 1 2025 finalists  Life Sciences 
  • Cognera Health (Newton, Alabama) — A company developing AI-driven mental health assessment tools to improve patient outcomes. 
  • Psigryph Corp. (Huntsville, Alabama) — Redefining bioactive molecule delivery with its patented Nanopect™ nanodelivery system, which increases bioavailability for agriculture, food, and pharmaceutical applications. 
  • Score Pharma, Inc. (Huntsville, Alabama) — Developing next-generation enhanced antibody therapeutics to improve patient responses in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. 
  Technology (Hardware & Software) 
  • Core Prototyping (Huntsville, Alabama) — A firm focused on creating rapid prototyping solutions for hardware and software development. 
  • Elan Vital Development Services, INC DBA as Move to Happy (Auburn, Alabama) — A platform designed to help communities attract and retain top talent through data-driven strategies. 
  • ProxyLink (Birmingham, Alabama) — Developing a secure, seamless authentication system to enhance digital identity verification. 
  • Ranalia Biotech Inc. (Huntsville, Alabama) — Revolutionizing food safety and supply chain security with an AI-powered computer vision system that enables early pathogen detection at scale. By combining high-volume screening with precision diagnostics, Ranalia provides a faster, more affordable solution to safeguard the food industry against contamination risks. 
  Consumer Goods 
  • Darling Grey (Birmingham, Alabama) — A brand merging American charm with English sophistication, offering high-quality, affordable apparel and home goods for women who appreciate timeless style and purpose-driven living. Committed to making a difference, Darling Grey is on a mission to combat sex trafficking. 
  • Herban Soul Café (Birmingham, Alabama) — The creator of Yced Tea, a botanical tea brand offering unique wellness-focused flavors. 
  • The World Baseball League (Birmingham, Alabama) — Making baseball more fun, entertaining, and accessible, uniting people through sports and entertainment to bring communities together. 
  What’s new in 2025?  Alabama Launchpad’s updated competition structure includes: 
  • Three industry-specific tracks: Life Sciences, Technology, and Consumer Goods. 
  • $2,500 upfront funding for each finalist to support business growth. 
  • 12 weeks of expert mentorship to refine business strategies and prepare for scaling. 
  • Expanded prize pools per track, with winners taking home up to $100,000. 
  The updated format ensures startups receive tailored guidance and resources specific to their industries, helping them scale faster and attract future investment.    The Alabama Launchpad Cycle 1 2025 finalists will pitch their business strategies to a panel of industry experts, with winner announcements to follow.      For more information about Alabama Launchpad, visit www.alabamalaunchpad.com. 

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 17 years, Alabama Launchpad has invested over $6 million into 121 Alabama startups. The winning startup companies have generated over 1,400 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.

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