Montgomery announced that it is launching a new tech startup accelerator program aimed at mobile app development.
“Now more than ever, there is a greater reliance on virtual infrastructure, digital services as well as mobile application development,” said Charisse Stokes, executive director of TechMGM. “This fall we will launch the Montgomery Techlab. This is a program that will grow startup entrepreneurs specializing in digital services and mobile application development.”
The Montgomery Techlab is a public-private partnership among the city of Montgomery, Montgomery County, local economic development partners, IT companies and the Maxwell-Gunter community to provide opportunities — such as mentoring, training, coaching and collaboration — for startups to work closely with industry leaders in digital services.
The Techlab will be led by Marcus Shaw, executive director of Chattanooga, Tennessee-based The Company Lab.
“As the CEO of The Company Lab in Chattanooga, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of a strong innovation culture and a robust startup ecosystem,” said Shaw. “As Montgomery Techlab, we will advance innovation and entrepreneurship in the Montgomery region through education, acceleration and incubation. Our goal is to harness our regional and local strengths and leverage our relationships to make the best and the most innovative Montgomery that we can.”
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said that it has taken the work of several entities and individuals to get the city to this next step in its economic evolution. Among those entities partnering on the Montgomery Techlab are the city of Montgomery, the Montgomery County Commission, the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, the Montgomery Industrial Development Board and Alabama Power.
“All of you believe in what our city could be. All of you believe in the new Montgomery — creating a new narrative, not just building on our past but focused on our future,” said Reed. “This is part of that. This is something that will allow us to bring all of the assets that we have in this community, all of the talent, all of the resources and harness it to really make sure that we are part of a knowledge-based economy.”
Reed added that an environment ready for innovators and entrepreneurs will help attract and retain young entrepreneurs, many of whom might already be in the area at one of the higher education facilities.
The Techlab will add to the innovation assets of MGMWERX, MGMix and the United States Air Force’s Air University and BESPIN.
