BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Non-profit Venture for America has chosen Birmingham as its next city to place new graduates with local high-tech startups.
Venture for America, similar to Teach for America, matches recent college graduates with partner companies, including tech startups and innovative organizations, for two years.
“We’ve worked in 15 different startup communities, and Birmingham has a lot of things going for it that many cities across the country wish they had in terms of innovation,” said Amy Nelson, vice president of external relations at Venture for America. “It’s appealing for a young person with its good cost of living, excellent lifestyle amenities and community spirit, so we’re just excited to make it happen.”
In other cities where Venture for America has been established, fellows were placed with software companies, medical researchers, and even an online antiques auction.
For the first set of Birmingham Fellows, eight recent graduates will be placed with r-squared macro, Fleetio, Alabama Power, and Pack Health.
“Being able to attract and keep smart millennials are both critical components to the future of our community’s entrepreneurial and technology ecosystems,” said Innovation Depot CEO Devon Laney, whose organization advocated heavily for the program to be established in Birmingham. “This is just another step in the right direction for our entrepreneurial and technology communities.”
(H/T Birmingham Business Journal)
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