Innovation Depot began its Voltage program recently, bringing together 11 entrepreneurs selected for the inaugural cohort in the Depot’s new idea incubator.

Voltage supports entrepreneurs who have an idea for a tech or tech-enabled business as they translate that idea into a prototype. The nine-week program held outside of traditional 9-to-5 working hours enables would-be founders to assess their ideas before leaving a primary job or investing excess funds into a product.

Voltage will help them determine viability to see whether they should forge ahead with the concept, pivot or go back to the drawing board.

“We are very excited about launching Voltage because we believe it fills a unique gap in Birmingham’s startup ecosystem,” said Kellie Clark, director of Programs at Innovation Depot. “We know a lot of entrepreneurs in the area have great ideas, but they’re not quite sure if their idea is an opportunity. We are providing them with the space to ask questions, gain resources and learn the viability of their ideas before they go all in.”

Participation in Voltage requires no previous tech or entrepreneurship experience. Innovation Depot plans to offer the program multiple times each year.

“2021 is off to a fantastic start for us here at Innovation Depot, and we’re very proud to make this latest announcement,” said Drew Honeycutt, CEO of Innovation Depot. “We will continue to build on the growth and energy taking place in Birmingham’s tech and entrepreneurial community by working hard to pull even more future founders into the fold.”

Here are the members of the inaugural cohort and the problems they are seeking to create solutions for:

(Courtesy of Alabama NewsCenter)