Innovate Alabama has launched the Capital Access Fund, a $15 million fund to help support early-stage companies with investments from $100,000 to $250,000.
Chris Udall, based in Huntsville, will manage the fund.
“Alabama has always produced world-class builders. Now, it’s our moment to make sure the rest of the world knows it,” Udall said. “I’ve had the privilege of working with founders whose technology reaches the International Space Station, alongside innovators across the state, from rural communities to urban centers, who prove that ambition isn’t limited by geography. My charge is simple: bring top-tier investors to Alabama, back top-tier companies born or headquartered here and make it undeniably clear that some of the most important innovation in the country is happening right here in Alabama.”
The fund will prioritize investments in Alabama’s core industries, including forestry, construction technology and legacy sectors. The initiative will expand access to capital for companies in rural areas.
“This fund represents a strategic investment in Alabama’s future,” said Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore Garlan Gudger, an Innovate Alabama board member. “By unlocking private capital, we’re not only supporting local businesses but also strengthening the industries that drive our economy. This fund will help create jobs, expand opportunities in rural communities and ensure Alabama remains competitive for years to come.”
