Thank you to everyone who submitted to this year’s Innovate Alabama Entrepreneurship Hackathon. Round 1 is now officially closed, and we are excited to share that we received 33 submissions from colleges and universities across Alabama. This strong response reflects the creativity and commitment emerging from students statewide.
Following a competitive review process, the Top 10 teams will be selected to advance to the live Pitch Finale in Birmingham.
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
Time: 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Location: Fairway Social (Birmingham)
The finale will showcase innovative concepts designed to strengthen public safety and enhance quality of life in communities across Alabama. Attendees will experience compelling pitches, thoughtful problem solving, and opportunities to engage with emerging talent and leaders from across sectors.
This year’s teams were challenged to design AI-enabled venture concepts addressing critical public safety needs. The submissions spanned:
These concepts demonstrate the potential for technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship to help build safer and more resilient communities.
The Pitch Finale offers an environment for insight, collaboration, and connection. Guests will have the opportunity to:
Additional event details, finalist spotlights, and RSVP information will be shared soon. We look forward to welcoming you on January 29 at Fairway Social.
| Top 10 Notification | January 9, 2026 |
| Entrepreneurial Exchange Workshop & Pitch Finale | January 29, 2026 (In Birmingham - Full Day) |
Public safety continues to be a top concern for cities across Alabama, especially in communities where resources are stretched thin. AI offers enormous potential to improve how cities predict, respond to, and prevent safety issues — but barriers around access, implementation, and ethics remain.
Key challenges include:
This challenge calls for entrepreneurial innovation, policy collaboration, and community engagement to ensure AI is used responsibly and equitably to make Alabama communities safer.
Teams will design a venture that uses AI to improve public safety outcomes for a selected Alabama city.
Your mission:
Your venture proposal should include:
Key demographics, economy, and public safety landscape.
The issues your venture aims to solve and their community impact.
Your proposed AI-powered solutions — emphasizing innovation, ethics, and measurable results.
Why your venture is viable and how it can scale or sustain impact.
A panel of experts in entrepreneurship, AI, public safety, and economic development will review submissions. Top Ten Finalists will be announced on January 9, 2026
Cash Prizes:
Entrepreneurship Exchange Workshop + Pitch Finale
January 29, 2026 | Birmingham
A full-day experience with speakers, training, and networking opportunities.
For questions, contact hbcu-ie@tidalits.com.
The Alabama Collective (TAC) is building a more inclusive, tech-driven economy across Alabama. Guided by the principles of Expose, Educate, Engage, and Empower, TAC connects talent, training, and opportunity—helping students, founders, and communities transform ideas into impact.
