HBCU App Build & Pitch Competition Recap
HBCU Innovation Takes Center Stage at the App Build & Pitch Competition! Empowering the Next Generation of Tech Entrepreneurs The HBCU App Build & Pitch Competition brought together top student innovators from Alabama’s HBCUs to showcase their creativity and technical expertise. Hosted at Montgomery Whitewater on April 9, 2025, this event provided students with an […]
Spring 2025 HBCU Innovation Power Hours Tour Across Alabama
Over 500 Students Energized by Spring 2025 HBCU Innovation Power Hours Tour Across Alabama The Spring 2025 edition of the HBCU Innovation Power Hours wrapped up with incredible energy, fresh ideas, and over 500 bright minds ready to shape the future of tech and entrepreneurship. Hosted by The Alabama Collective, this high-energy, hands-on tour ignited […]
The Alabama Collective and Builders + Backers Partner to Accelerate HBCU Innovation and Entrepreneurship
MONTGOMERY, AL — The Alabama Collective and Builders + Backers today announced a groundbreaking partnership to expand entrepreneurial opportunities for HBCU students and alumni across Alabama. Through this collaboration, winners of The Alabama Collective’s HBCU Business Pitch Competition will receive automatic acceptance into the prestigious Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator program, along with up to […]
Unlocking SBIR/STTR Success: Insights from the Proposal Lab
Hosted Webinar Securing SBIR/STTR funding is a game-changer for entrepreneurs and researchers, but the process can be complex. That’s why we hosted the FAST Proposal Lab Webinar: Proposal Lab Success Stories—a session designed to provide real-world insights, expert guidance, and practical strategies to help innovators strengthen their proposals. What Was Covered Success Stories from the […]
SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab Info Session
Hosted Info Session The SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab Info Session was hosted on December 6, 2024. It was a specialized program designed to help create winning proposals for SBIR/STTR funding opportunities. The SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab aims to at least double the win rate of Phase I SBIR applications — boosting success from the 16% national average […]
Innovate Alabama Hackathon
Rural Innovation Shines at the 2024-2025 Innovate Alabama Entrepreneurship Hackathon Innovation Depot in Birmingham came alive on January 29, 2025, as college students from across Alabama gathered to tackle rural challenges. The energy was unmatched, and the ideas were transformative. Empowering Rural Communities This year’s hackathon centered on addressing critical challenges in Alabama’s rural areas, […]
Year Two of The Alabama Collective and Innovate Alabama’s HBCU Innovation Experience: ‘Innovation Power Hours’ Concludes with Success!
For the second consecutive year, the HBCU Innovation Experience: Innovation Power Hours brought together students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across Alabama to celebrate homecoming season with a series of exciting events. These gatherings sparked creativity, encouraged exploration of technology, and helped students take steps toward launching their own businesses. The Innovation Power […]
All Access @ The Classic Turkey Day Edition: Level Up Brunch
Event Recap: All Access at the Turkey Day Classic – Entrepreneurs Edition The All Access at the Turkey Day Classic – Entrepreneurs Edition, hosted by The Alabama Collective, in partnership with Montgomery Tech Lab, SBOSS Montgomery, ACCESS Montgomery, and Innovate Alabama, was a vibrant celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation in Montgomery. Held on Wednesday, November […]
Small Business Administration Awards $1M to Alabama Resource Organizations for SBIR/STTR Support
The SBA has awarded a $1M, 5-year contract under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program to Team Catalyst, consisting of The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship, The Alabama Collective, and the GovCon Incubator by OST Global Solutions. Governor Kay Ivey has endorsed this team and has emphasized the importance of technology and […]
2024 Magic City Classic Recap
The Alabama Collective’s impactful weekend at the 2024 Magic City Classic was a vibrant celebration of innovation, collaboration, and community empowerment. The series of events began with the GovTech Networking Social and concluded with a memorable Blacks in Tech Send-Off Reception, showcasing The Alabama Collective’s mission to uplift Alabama’s HBCU talent and foster connections in […]
Code to Classic Pitch Competition 2024 – Magic City Classic
A major highlight of the weekend was the HBCU Magic City Classic Pitch Competition, which brought together 40 teams from 10 Alabama HBCUs to showcase their entrepreneurial ideas. Each team began by submitting a 3-minute video pitch, and after a rigorous evaluation process, the top 10 teams advanced to the in-person Pitch Training Workshop at […]
HBCU Esports Tournament During the 2024 Magic City Classic Week
The Alabama Collective, in partnership with RCX Sports Foundation, Microsoft, and the CXMMUNITY Foundation, hosted an exciting HBCU Esports Tournament, drawing competitive HBCU students eager to showcase their gaming skills. The RCX Sports Foundation provided the platform and structure for the event, with Microsoft and CXMMUNITY Foundation adding support to enhance the tournament experience. Talladega […]