Southeast Shoutouts | There’s a lot going on around the region
Announcements range from accelerators to competitions, early registration for the "Southern Automotive Conference," a new partnership in Arkansas, and the Build In SE Expert Network.
From Atlanta:
- Applications are now being accepted through April 23 from area companies for Cohort 5 of the “Zane Access” program. Designed to meet the unique needs of underrepresented founders, Zane Access – in partnership with Invest Atlanta – will host a four-day intensive course connecting founders with the subject matter experts, resources, and network opportunities to help them to secure funding. The 2023 cohort will be held virtually from May 22-25 with graduation ceremonies following on June 1. Zane Access cohorts have helped 67 companies raise more than $13 million in capital and generate more than $10 million in revenue. The application can be found here.
- Atlanta-based Valor Ventures has started raising its third fund for an undetermined amount, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As reported by Atlanta Inno, General Partner Lisa Calhoun says that Valor Fund 3 will focus on early-stage rounds for business-to-business, software-as-a-service start-ups headquartered in the South. We spotlighted Calhoun and Valor Ventures in this early 2017 teknovation.biz article.
From Alabama:
In a little more than a week, 10 start-ups will be on stage pitching their businesses in the first cycle of 2023 in the “Alabama Launchpad” competition. A program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), the initiative, now in its 16th year, has funded 112 start-ups and invested more than $6 million in nondilutive funding. Its winning companies have a combined post-money valuation of over $1 billion and have generated more than 1,300 jobs across the state.
Alabama Launchpad features entrepreneurs in two stages of development:
- Concept stage, meaning they are usually pre-revenue; and
- Early seed stage, meaning they are looking to accelerate the growth of their existing businesses.
The finalists will compete for a combined $75,000 at a public finale scheduled to take place on April 20 in Tuscaloosa. A total of $25,000 will be up for grabs for the five finalists in the concept stage, with the other group competing for $50,000.
Click here to learn more.
From Arkansas:
Two organizations focused on helping small business owners and entrepreneurs in Arkansas have formed a strategic alliance to work collaboratively and further their shared missions.
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Arkansas District Office and The Venture Center have joined forces to help better connect current and aspiring small business owners to resources and programs to improve opportunities and expand small business development in the state. The latter organization describes itself as “a globally recognized entrepreneurial support organization” that helps entrepreneurs turn their start-ups into viable, high-growth businesses.
Click here to learn more.
From North Carolina:
Engineers at Duke University have produced the world’s first fully recyclable printed electronics that replace the use of chemicals with water in the fabrication process. By bypassing the need for hazardous chemicals, the demonstration points down a path industry could follow to reduce its environmental footprint and human health risks.
According to this article in WRAL TechWire, the research appeared online in the journal Nano Letters.
From Mississippi but for the South:
The “Southern Automotive Conference” is back October 18-19 at the Beau Rivage Resort directly on the Gulf Coast in Biloxi, MS, and registration is now available with what is described as “Super Early Bird” rates through May 15. Click here to take advantage.
From Washington, DC but About the Southeast:
To support regional start-ups, the Build in SE organization has announced that it is developing the Build In SE Expert Network. It is a panel of business veterans tasked with answering critical industry and functional questions facing founders and operators in the Southeast. This resource is intended to provide more detailed and tailored guidance than you’ll find elsewhere, with experts and advice well suited for our region and audience. Those interested in nominating themselves or someone else can click on this link.
