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VivoSphere Wins $100,000 in Alabama Launchpad Cycle 1 2026 Life Sciences Competition

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (May 18, 2026) — Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama in partnership with Innovate Alabama, announced VivoSphere LLC as the winner of the Alabama Launchpad Cycle 1 2026 Life Sciences Track competition.  VivoSphere will receive $100,000 in non-dilutive funding, along with access to ongoing mentorship and exposure to Alabama’s growing network of investors, founders and innovation partners. Based in Auburn, Alabama, VivoSphere develops 3D tissue-engineered models designed to create more human-like responses in high-throughput drug screening. The company’s technology helps pharmaceutical companies identify ineffective or toxic drug candidates earlier in the development process, reducing clinical trial failure and reliance on animal testing.  “Throughout the Launchpad program, we received incredible guidance and mentorship in all aspects to build a successful business, including sales, finance, team building, fundraising and more,” said Dr. Yuan Tian, co-founder and chief technology officer of VivoSphere. “These insights, along with the award, give us extra momentum as we move forward with commercial readiness and partnerships.”  VivoSphere was selected from a field of four additional life sciences finalists that pitched May 14, each representing a distinct area of Alabama’s growing life sciences industry: 
  • eco•pí® by Medpaper (Northport, Alabama) — eco•pí® is a single-use, biodegradable urine collection device designed to make sample collection cleaner, easier and more hygienic for patients, caregivers and health care providers in clinical and at-home settings. 
  • OncoSphere AI (Hoover, Alabama) — OncoSphere AI provides clinics with a virtual tumor board platform that redacts protected health information, extracts clinical data, retrieves guideline-based evidence and generates multidisciplinary oncology recommendations and coding checklists.
  • STRYD Orthopedics Inc. (Birmingham, Alabama) — STRYD is developing a smart knee sleeve that uses embedded sensors to track joint motion and muscle activity in real time, helping clinicians and patients monitor rehabilitation progress and recovery outcomes. 
  • Valor Scientific (Madison, Alabama) — Valor Scientific manufactures bioactive growth factors used in stem cell research, wound healing and advanced skin care applications while building a domestic supply chain for critical scientific reagents. 
 The breadth of innovation represented among the finalists reflects the continued growth of Alabama’s life sciences ecosystem.   Judging was conducted by a panel of life sciences professionals, including Lee Watterson of RAMPART, Dr. Cara Davis of AskBio Inc. and Dillon Fritz of HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology.  “What stood out was the diversity of technology. Of five companies, really only two were even remotely similar,” said Watterson, lead research and development engineer at RAMPART. “It’s exciting to see that range of innovation existing geographically close to us.”  Alabama Launchpad’s Cycle 1 2026 competition builds on the program’s track record of identifying and investing in early-stage companies with the potential to grow, create jobs and strengthen Alabama’s innovation economy. The program’s industry-specific format pairs non-dilutive funding with mentorship and a statewide network designed to help founders scale their businesses.  Applications for Alabama Launchpad Cycle 2 2026 are now open, with a priority deadline of July 1 and a final application deadline of Aug. 13. For more information, 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. . It is the state’s longest-running business plan and pitch competition. Over the past 19 years, Alabama Launchpad has invested more than $6.6 million in 124 Alabama startups. The winning startup companies have generated more than 1,600 jobs for the state and have a combined post-money valuation of more than $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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