Have you ever grown frustrated with your smartphone’s insufficient battery life? With the help of the Alabama Launchpad program, that may not be a problem in the future.
“Alabama Launchpad is a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama Foundation,” the program’s website states. “This innovative public-private partnership brings together Alabama’s university, business and economic development communities to encourage and support high-growth entrepreneurship in Alabama through a startup competition that accelerates the development of new ventures.”
Launchpad’s startup competition found exactly the kind of venture they were looking for in a Tuscaloosa-based startup called e-Electricity. The company has been working on a product that will use radio frequency waves to wirelessly charge smartphones. Their idea landed them a $23,500 grant after they stood out in the Launchpad competition.
Gov. Robert Bentley said groups like Alabama Launchpad, which is a project of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, play an important role in attracting companies to Alabama and helping them succeed once they get here.
“The state must invest resources to help entrepreneurs and innovative thinkers start new companies that create jobs for Alabamians,” the governor said. “We don’t want to just import things. We want to create things.”
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Director Jim Byard said Alabama Launchpad promotes public and private entities to join forces to develop the state’s entrepreneurial community.
Several other companies also received grants from Alabama Launchpad.
BLOX inc., which recently opened a new facility in Bessemer, was awarded a $50,000 grant. BLOX builds health care facilities and equipment — anything from hospital rooms to beds for patients.
Birmingham-based, Alabama Chai received $30,000 and plans to sell micro-brewed organic tea.
Heartfelt Technology, out of Auburn, plans to replace expensive components of automated defibrillators with smartphones. They received $25,000 to help grow their business.
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