Southeast Shoutouts | First Horizon invests in gener8tor program in Huntsville
The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama announces new initiative to recruit and support high-growth technology companies.
From Huntsville, AL:
To fuel Huntsville’s growing start-up community, 256 Today reports that First Horizon Bank is investing $150,000 in entrepreneurial programs powered by gener8tor. The funding supports gBETA Huntsville and Spark at MidCity, delivered in partnership with gener8tor, a nationally ranked start-up accelerator and venture capital firm, and the Apollo Coalition.
By leveraging the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit Program, First Horizon said it is helping channel resources directly into initiatives that equip founders with mentorship, capital connections, and the tools to scale their businesses.
“First Horizon knows firsthand what it means to build from the ground up. When we first entered Alabama in 2011, we were essentially a startup ourselves,” said Eric Sanders, Executive Vice President and also Huntsville Market President. “We believe in investing in founders and, by supporting gener8tor and the Apollo Coalition, we are helping entrepreneurs in Huntsville access the resources, mentorship, and capital they need to succeed.”
From Birmingham, AL:
The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), in coordination with the Alabama Department of Commerce and Innovate Alabama, has announced a comprehensive statewide strategy to recruit and support high-growth technology companies.
The approach – organized around the principle of “Alabama Puts Founders First” – brings together new and expanded initiatives to help startups and small businesses scale in Alabama. The strategy focuses on three pillars:
- Corporate Pilots: Funding pilots between Alabama corporations and growth-stage start-ups.
- Accelerated Company Retention: Providing concierge-style support and immersive experiences to keep accelerator graduates in Alabama.
- Tech Business Attraction: Using data to target growth-stage companies in priority sectors such as defense, biotech, mobility, forestry, and advanced manufacturing.
The strategy builds on the momentum of Birmingham Bound, which EDPA acquired in 2024, and extends its mission statewide. The effort reinforces a shared vision to attract high-growth technology companies and ensures each organization’s initiatives are aligned and complementary.
“Alabama puts founders first,” said Jackson Pruett, EDPA’s Director of Technology Company Business Attraction. “This strategy makes it clear that our state is ready to help startups thrive with tailored resources, accessible capital, and a community that welcomes big ideas. Founders can scale their companies here while also enjoying a high quality of life.”
From Tampa Bay, FL:
Tampa Bay Inno reports that Florida tech companies pulled in $2.85 billion across 270 deals in the first half of 2025, and Tampa Bay companies accounted for $264 million of that amount across 38 deals, according to an eMerge Americas report.
The Tampa region accounted for nearly 10 percent of the amount of companies raised, but South Florida was the big winner, accounting for $2.02 billion across 161 deals.
Despite Miami continuing to dominate venture capital (VC) flow statewide, the region’s strengths in cybersecurity, healthtech, and artificial intelligence continue to rise. It’s the state’s strongest VC pace since 2022, the report said.
The report found Tampa Bay companies accounted for 38 deals, the third-largest metro total in the state after South Florida and Orlando.
Several major funding rounds in the region helped boost the state, including Clearwater-based hellocare.ai’s $47 million oversubscribed growth round, TSOLife’s $43 million Series B, and Genesis Systems’ $25 million round.
From West Palm Beach, FL:
The Florida Opportunity Fund announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Florida Opportunity Fund (FOF) and Quantum Coast Capital (QCC), formalizing a strategic partnership to accelerate investment in quantum technology and advanced computing.
The signing took place during Quantum Beach 2025 in West Palm Beach, a statewide event highlighting Florida’s emergence as a national hub for innovation in next-generation technology. This collaboration marks a major milestone in Florida’s long-term effort to build a robust quantum ecosystem.
“We are proud to collaborate with Quantum Coast Capital to advance Florida’s leadership in quantum technology,” said Robert Harvey, President and Executive Director of Florida Opportunity Fund. “This MOU reflects our shared commitment to fostering innovation through strategic investment. By aligning resources and expertise, we are creating new opportunities to expand Florida’s quantum sector and attract cutting-edge companies and talent to Florida.”
The MOU between the Florida Opportunity Fund and Quantum Coast Capital establishes a framework for identifying, evaluating, and co-investing in companies developing quantum-related technologies, including quantum computing, networking, and sensing applications within Florida.
Founded in South Florida, Quantum Coast Capital is quickly emerging as one of the few venture firms in the United States dedicated entirely to quantum investment. The firm is partnering with public institutions, private companies, and researchers to bring quantum innovations from lab to market.
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