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Equip and Kimmie Stylz win a combined $75,000 at Alabama Launchpad’s Cycle 1 2024 Finale

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 19, 2024) – Two startup companies competed in a field of nine finalists to earn a combined $75,000 in non-dilutive funding in the Alabama Launchpad Cycle 1 2024 Finale. Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), hosted the finale at Sweetwater Depot in Florence, Alabama, on Thursday, April 18, 2024.     Equip, co-founded by Trent Kocurek and Betty Patten, Ph.D., claimed $50,000, winning the early-seed stage competition. Equip empowers independence for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities with features to support daily routines, mood regulation, quick access to vital information and reporting to track progress of essential milestones on their path to meaningful employment.     “I am elated – I can’t even explain the feeling right now,” Kocurek said. “This team has worked so hard to put together not only an amazing product that serves an amazing community, but also to be able to tell that story in a way that everyone connected with.”    “I feel truly inspired and reaffirmed in the mission that such influential people who have gone before us believe in us and are allowing us to take this investment to pour into the lives of others so that our impact can be multiplied. We are truly, truly humbled, yet invigorated and ready to work.”    Kimmie Stylz, founded by Kimberly Cornner, won the concept stage prize of $25,000. The company is a women-owned business based in Birmingham, Alabama. It specializes in creating natural hair care products that are designed to detangle, moisturize and hydrate natural, kinky, and curly hair for manageable and healthy hair.      “Growth is in our future,” Cornner said. “Our products are selling, and this money will help us drastically in getting our products to the community. I can’t thank Alabama Launchpad enough for the guidance and helping me pivot to look at my company in a new way I hadn’t looked before.”     Each finalist company received two months of intensive mentorship, through both one-on-one and group session training with startup founders and business experts, to prepare for the finale judging panels.        The early-seed stage companies were evaluated by three judges: Liam Holthaus, Business Strategy Manager at MessageGears; Mary Marshall VanSant, Director of the University of North Alabama’s Center for Learning & Professional Development; and Macke Mauldin, CEO and President of Bank Independent.     “EDPA’s Alabama Launchpad program really is vital to promoting entrepreneurship in the state of Alabama – and I see that both from within and also recruiting entrepreneurs to the state,” VanSant said. “It never ceases to amaze me, hearing the ideas people come up with. Being accepted into and going through the Alabama Launchpad program is such a benefit to all companies, even those who don’t win. There are companies from The Shoals who have gone through it who didn’t win, and although they did not win then – they are thriving now, and I know that the program played a vital role in their success.”     The concept stage competition included a panel of three judges: Blake Patterson, Founder of INMO & Simpeo; Tevin Harrell, Founder/CEO at Smartwiz; and Tanesha Sims-Summers, Founder & CEO of Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co.    As recent winner of Alabama Launchpad, Harrell said, “It’s super cool to be on the other side. It’s just been a year and a half since it was us, preparing and thinking through all the things. The money and invaluable mentorship will change lives.”    Alabama Launchpad has now funded 119 Alabama startups since its inception in 2007. Over the past 16 years, Alabama Launchpad has awarded over $6 million in non-dilutive funding to the winning companies, which today have an estimated combined post-money valuation of more than $1 billion and employ more than 1,400 people.      Alabama Launchpad is conducted in partnership with Innovate Alabama, which implements programs and policies that support Alabama’s innovation ecosystem. Through these efforts, Innovate Alabama empowers entrepreneurs, business owners and students to build a business, a career and a life in Alabama.     Alabama Launchpad is also funded in part by grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), as well as private foundations like Alabama Power Foundation, Truist, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s Caring Foundation, the Daniel Foundation and Wells Fargo.    The Alabama Launchpad program has funded growing companies like TaxxWiz, Cerflux, S.C.H.O.O.L.S., Vulcan Line Tools, Immediate and more by offering non-dilutive prize money for its pitch competition. The EDPA is a private, nonprofit organization that supports business recruitment and expansion efforts in Alabama and promotes innovative and emerging startup companies through its Alabama Launchpad program.        The Alabama Launchpad Cycle 2 2024 applications will open May 1, 2024. To learn more please click here.   https://alabamalaunchpad.com/launch-prep/        About Alabama Launchpad  Established in 2007, 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. It is the state’s longest running business plan and pitch competition. Over the past 18 years, Alabama Launchpad has invested over $6 million into 119 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.      About 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.   

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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