Reviews

Congratulations on taking that first step toward igniting your entrepreneurial spirit. We are in the process of reviewing applications and all participants will be notified by November 17th regarding next steps. Only 20 teams will be allowed to advance in the competition. 

About the Hackathon:

Event Theme:

The 2023-2024 Innovate Alabama Entrepreneurship Hackathon is aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by rural entrepreneurs in Alabama. The goal is to identify and create innovative solutions that not only help the selected community but also have the potential to benefit other rural areas across the state. Participants will work on crafting a venture plan that is self-sustainable, impactful, and creative, ultimately contributing to rural economic development.

Intensive Online Entrepreneurship Workshop for Admitted Teams (November 28)

This comprehensive online workshop designed for Admitted Teams Only will kickstart your entrepreneurial journey. Teams will be equipped with the essential tools and knowledge needed for success in this competition. We’ll unveil the Hackathon problem at the end of the workshop.

Hackathon Period (November 28 – December 20)

Dive headfirst into the exhilarating world of entrepreneurship. Work on your solution with virtual access to a team of mentors throughout the month. Video pitches must be submitted by December 20, 2023 – 11:59pm

The Entrepreneurial Exchange Roundtable/5- Finalist Announcement & Pitch Prep (January 10 – 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM)

To enhance the entrepreneurial journey, all teams are required to participate in The Entrepreneurial Exchange Roundtable. This full-day event will be packed with insightful panel discussions and networking opportunities. The Entrepreneurial Exchange is divided into three panels: 

• “Unleashing the Entrepreneurial Spirit – Real Stories, Real Success”: Featuring successful entrepreneurs, this panel shared their journeys, emphasizing the role of mentors.
• “Fueling Your Future: Alabama’s Dynamic Startup Scene”: Examining Alabama’s startup ecosystem, this panel explored the significance of startup hubs and incubators.
• “Investor’s Gold: Truly Investable Ideas”: This panel delved into the secrets behind investable ideas.

The day includes mentoring sessions, lunch, pitch preparation, the announcement of the 5 Finalist Teams, and a networking dinner. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with Alabama’s entrepreneurial community and ignite your entrepreneurial spirit!

The five finalists will have a one-hour mentoring session called “Pitch Perfect,” led by experts in Business Pitching. Afterward, they will be given two hours to prepare and practice their in-person pitch presentations, with no video presentations allowed.

Innovate Alabama Entrepreneurship Hackathon (January 10 – 6:00pm)

As part of the US Association of Small Business Entrepreneurs Conference at the BJCC, the finalists will present their pitches to both a live audience and a judging panel. The winning team will be awarded a $10,000 cash prize, in addition to grant funding and mentoring to support the growth of their entrepreneurial project. The second-place team will receive a $3,000 cash prize, while the third-place team will be granted a $2,000 cash prize.

Additional Information:

Not everyone who applied will be admitted; the cohort size is limited to 20 teams.

If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out to us at karrig98@uab.edu.