HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Aug. 30, 2022) – Two startup companies competed among nine other finalist companies to earn a combined $75,000 in non-dilutive funding in the Alabama Launchpad (ALP) Cycle 2 2022 Finale. The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) hosted the in-person finale, at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, from 5-7 p.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022.
Ride Resorts claimed $25,000, winning the concept-stage competition. Based in Birmingham, Ride Resorts is a pay-to-ride mountain biking resort developer that partners with landowners—
such as Red Mountain Park—to design and build world-class mountain bike experiences on the property.
“It’s an honor to be a finalist in Launchpad,” stated Hobie King, Co-Founder and COO of Ride Resorts. “Regardless of the outcome, this process has been super valuable in refining our vision and learning where our weak points were. This money will help us accelerate our proprietary technology of RFID gates. This will be the next step toward really being a technical park.”
TaxxWiz, winner of the early-seed stage prize of $50,000, gives tax professionals the ability to be their own Turbo Tax Live. Recently relocated from Dallas, TX, TaxxWiz is changing the average prep time from 4 hours to 20 minutes.
“Winning definitely feels good,” stated Tevin Harrell, CEO of TaxxWizz. “Just being in Launchpad and talking to Launch Advisors really helped us take our business to a whole new level. Now – winning actual money – I think the sky’s the limit for us.”
Each finalist company received intensive mentorship, through both one-on-one and group session training with Launch Advisors, to prepare for the ultimate finale judging panels.
The concept-stage companies were evaluated by three judges: Maike DeMaria, Founder and CEO of Capabilitix; Glenn Clayton, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Mark Two Venture Studio; Matt Spotswood, Owner of Basix Capital.
The early-seed stage competition included a panel of three judges: Peggy Sammon, CEO at GeneCapture; Rigved Joshi, Director of Invention to Innovation Center (I2C) at The University of Alabama in Huntsville; Mark Froehlich, CEO at Analytical AI.
“It was truly an honor to be a part of the judging panel and experience first-hand the hard work and dedication shown by the participating companies,” stated Joshi. “All of the entrepreneurs answered hard questions, took feedback and gave it their 100 percent. Alabama Launchpad’s continued efforts in championing the Alabama entrepreneurial ecosystem is truly amazing.”
Cycle 2 2022 brings Alabama Launchpad to new milestones – it has now funded 110 Alabama startups since its inception in 2006. Over the past 16 years, Alabama Launchpad has awarded over $5.8 million in non-dilutive funding to the winning companies, which today have an estimated combined post-money valuation of more than $850 million and employ more than 1,120 people.
Alabama Launchpad is funded in part by grants from the Alabama Department of Commerce and Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
“Alabama Launchpad continues to be a dynamic force for fueling innovation and entrepreneurship in Alabama,” stated Angela Till, Deputy Secretary at the Alabama Department of Commerce. “The Department of Commerce is proud to provide funding to help transform a solid business concept into a real business.”
“From mountain bike resorts that impact Alabama’s tourism industry, to therapy programs that assist those who have served our country – it is the places and the people that Alabama Launchpad is making a huge difference in through these stellar companies,” stated Elaine Fincannon, Deputy Director at ADECA.
The Alabama Launchpad program has funded growing companies like Croux, CHONEX, 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.
Alabama Launchpad’s Cycle 2 2022 finalists were able to deliver presentations in-person, while the competition also streamed live online. To view the recorded finale, please visit
alabamalaunchpad.com.
The Alabama Launchpad: Social Impact Competition, presented by Alabama Launchpad and Alabama Power Foundation, is now accepting applications through Sept. 15. Applicants must be committed to fostering both economic growth and social impact in the state of Alabama. To learn more and apply today, please
click here.
