Built to Scale: Autonoma

Will Bryan is the founder and CEO of Autonoma, a simulation and digital twin company built to bridge the gap between virtual testing and real-world results in autonomous systems. What started as a personal frustration in the field of self-driving vehicles evolved into a thriving startup thanks in part to Alabama Launchpad. In this interview, Will shares how the Launchpad experience helped transform his business—giving him insight into product scalability, licensing models, and go-to-market strategy. What began as a low-expectation experiment became a crash course in investor-readiness and growth. Since completing Launchpad, Autonoma has successfully raised a seed round and is rapidly expanding its reach in new industries. Will’s biggest takeaway? Apply and commit fully—because the value lies far beyond the funding.

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Key Takeaways

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“If you go into Launchpad with a winning attitude and fully commit, then whether you win the check or not, you’ll come out a winning company.”

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From Frustration to Founding

Will Bryan didn’t set out to build a business—he set out to fix a problem he faced every day. As a software developer working on decision-making systems for autonomous vehicles, he saw firsthand how simulation tools fell short. In virtual testing, everything worked perfectly. But when it came time to deploy in the real world, the results were unpredictable—sometimes dangerously so. This disconnect was more than inconvenient; it was a barrier to progress. That frustration became the foundation for Autonoma, a company designed to close the gap between simulation and reality. With a focus on creating highly realistic digital twin environments, Autonoma helps developers test and validate autonomous systems and smart city technologies in a safer, more accurate way—long before those systems hit the streets.

How Launchpad Changed the Game

A push from a fellow founder who had gone through Alabama Launchpad convinced Will to apply. At the time, his expectations were low—he saw it as a chance at funding, nothing more. But what he discovered was far more impactful. Launchpad became a turning point for Autonoma. Through expert-led mentorship, Will gained critical insight into areas outside his technical wheelhouse—like structuring scalable products, building sales processes, and optimizing licensing strategies. Launchpad didn’t just refine their pitch—it reshaped the way Autonoma operated as a business. For a founder deeply rooted in tech, this broader perspective was game-changing.

Scaling Up and Looking Ahead

With the support and structure Launchpad provided, Autonoma raised a successful seed round and began scaling with confidence. Today, the company is expanding beyond its original niche, bringing simulation and digital twin technology to new industries and markets. They’ve evolved their licensing model, built out a sales and marketing function, and are actively tracking key metrics to support future growth. With each new customer and vertical, Autonoma continues to build on the foundation laid during Launchpad—preparing not only for long-term sustainability but also for a competitive Series A round in the near future.

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From Idea To Impact

Will Bryan’s journey proves that the combination of technical talent and targeted support can unlock massive potential. What began as a side frustration became a fast-scaling startup—with the help of Alabama Launchpad. The mentorship, structure, and business insight he received helped transform Autonoma from a promising idea into a fundable, scalable company. Whether you’re developing a breakthrough technology or just starting to shape your idea, Launchpad offers more than a shot at funding—it offers a blueprint for growth. Want to follow in Autonoma’s footsteps? Learn more about Alabama Launchpad today.

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