Two startup companies won a combined $75,000 in Alabama Launchpad’s Cycle 2 virtual finale.
A program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, Alabama Launchpad has awarded $5.7 million in funding to winning companies of the pitch competition over its 15-year history.
ProU Sports, winner of the concept stage competition with a $25,000 prize, is a mobile application that helps college sports fans track their favorite players as they move into their professional sports careers. The company launched the app in March and now has more than 3,000 users.
“A portion of the funds will go to adding a part-time employee, as well as making sure our company is fully compliant,” said Thomas Coiner, CEO of ProU Sports.
The concept stage companies were evaluated by three judges: John Calagaz, founder of Fishing Chaos Inc. in Mobile; Meredith Calhoun, founder of Tessa Commercial Real Estate and co-founder of Practice Works in Birmingham; and Tequila Smith, vice president of Charitable Giving at Alabama Power in Birmingham.
The Wealth Edit, co-founded by Lauren Pearson and Emily Lassiter, claimed the seed stage prize of $50,000. The online, membership-based community educates women on how to develop skillsets for their personal finances.
“Alabama Launchpad surpassed every expectation. Not only did we get to meet amazing advisors that we never would have met otherwise, but we also had the opportunity to see The Wealth Edit through a new lens that will allow us to expand our mission beyond our imagination,” said Pearson.
The seed stage competition was judged by Mickey Millsap, partner at Redhawk Advisory in Birmingham; Halston Prox, co-founder and CEO of HealNow in Birmingham; and Danny Windham, chief operating officer of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville.
To see the other companies participating in this round of Alabama Launchpad, visit here.
