Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

From Atlanta, GA, and Birmingham, AL:

An announcement from international intelligent power management company Eaton that it would acquire Resilient Power Systems marked a major milestone for the Atlanta-based start-up. It was also cause for celebration in Birmingham, according to a recent article posted in the Alabama News Center.

A developer and manufacturer of innovative energy solutions to modernize the nation’s power grid, Resilient was part of the first cohort of start-ups that participated in the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator when the accelerator launched in 2020. With its acquisition by Eaton set to be completed this fall, Resilient becomes the first TechStars Alabama alumnus to experience an exit from the start-up phase.

That’s an indicator that TechStars and Alabama are doing the right things when it comes to encouraging and supporting innovation, said Kevin Kaye, Innovation Manager for Alabama Power. The utility was a leader of the partnership that created Techstars Alabama and continues to power the work of the accelerator, which is housed at Birmingham’s Innovation Depot.

“When Alabama Power started this accelerator five years ago, we were told it would take five to seven years to really start seeing results,” said Kaye. “We’ve already seen positive results in the growing start-up communities in Birmingham and throughout Alabama, and the acquisition and exit of Resilient confirms that major companies around the world are paying attention to the innovations and companies coming out of this ecosystem.”

From Covington, KY:

LifeSciKY, Kentucky’s only nonprofit life science incubator, opened its flagship 15,000-square-foot wet lab incubator at the OneNKY Center in Covington recently. Ahead of the grand opening, LifeSciKY also announced that:

1. Thermo Fischer Scientific announced is the presenting sponsor; and
2. Three tenants – Simbryo Technologies, Pan Biologics, and Clareo Biosciences – have been added.

According to a report in Cincy Inno, the lab will host ambitious researchers with marketable concepts from the University of Cincinnati, UC Health, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. It aims to bring in scientists and fledgling companies from other states and countries as well, boosting job growth and retention.

From West Palm Beach, FL:

ServiceNow, the artificial intelligence (AI) platform for business transformation, has announced it is expanding its global presence in the fast‑growing city of West Palm Beach to drive AI innovation, talent development, and economic growth. The expansion will include a new regional innovation hub and AI Institute, and is expected to deliver $1.8 billion economic impact and create more than 850 jobs over the next five years.

An emerging destination for innovation and talent, West Palm Beach offers access to a fast‑growing talent pool, a favorable business environment, and proximity to major customers and partners in the Southeast U.S. The AI Institute in ServiceNow’s new location will feature a dedicated start-up accelerator with space to support early‑stage technology companies through mentorship, pilot opportunities, and access to the region’s growing tech ecosystem. Integrated into a new Executive Briefing Center, the institute will also serve as a destination for immersive customer engagement and collaboration, bringing together thought leaders, partners, and customers to create and shape the future of enterprise AI. In addition, the site will include ServiceNow University programming, providing AI‑focused education, skilling, and certification opportunities for employees, partners, and the local community.

“The AI innovation economy has a new epicenter in the Gold Coast of West Palm Beach, Florida,” said Bill McDermott, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ServiceNow. “West Palm Beach is the latest move in ServiceNow’s tradition of embracing bold economic developments across the country. This will be a compelling magnet for talent, a strong engine for growth, and a dynamic hub for America’s AI leadership.”

From Charleston, SC:

This summer, the life sciences investment landscape got a boost as MassBio, SCbio, Venture Carolina, VentureSouth, and the South Carolina Department of Commerce came together to launch the Palmetto Beacon Venture Fellowship (PBVF).

The program kicked off with two dynamic, back-to-back sessions in Charleston and John’s Island, SC, where participants dove deep into the world of biotech investing. The momentum will carry north this October as the fellowship wraps up with its final session in Boston, connecting the Southeast and Northeast in a powerful exchange of ideas and capital.

“This is a key catalyst in our MassBio Vision 2030 strategic plan—an expanded, enriched, and diversified funding environment for our early-stage biotechs,” says Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, CEO and President of MassBio. “Raising capital is different today than it was two years ago, and MassBio has a role to play in bringing new funders in and making it easier for founders to find alternative pathways to dollars.”

The PBVF is more than another program. Think of it as a movement to educate and empower the next generation of biotech investors. Through an immersive, expert-led curriculum, fellows are gaining the tools and confidence to back the early-stage companies where tomorrow’s cures will be born, strengthening investor ecosystems and fueling the flow of capital that will ultimately bring breakthrough science to patients.

“We believe there is an important, foundational proficiency that every investor needs in order to be effective at investing in early-stage life sciences companies,” says Charlie Banks, Executive Director of VentureSouth. “The Palmetto Beacon Venture Fellowship’s bespoke curriculum is designed to educate attendees on the complexities of investing in this space, creating an informed investor base eager to support an exciting asset class.”

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