BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 10, 2025) — Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), in partnership with Innovate Alabama, has announced its finalists for Cycle 1 2025, featuring high-potential startups competing within three industry-specific tracks.
The competition, now featuring larger funding opportunities, will award up to $100,000 in non-dilutive funding to winning startups. Finalists will compete within their designated industry tracks, pitching their ventures to exclusive investor committees in a closed-door setting designed to prepare them for future conversations with investors or customers.
“With this new program structure, we are providing even more targeted mentorship and funding to help startups succeed in their respective industries,” said Estes Hughes, vice president of innovation and talent at EDPA. “We’re excited to watch these companies across technology, life sciences, and consumer goods sectors grow and contribute to the state’s economy.”
Since its founding in 2006, Alabama Launchpad has invested over $6.4 million in more than 120 startups, fueling job creation, economic growth, and innovation across the state. Collectively, these companies have generated over 1,400 jobs, secured more than $170 million in follow-on funding, and surpassed $1 billion in combined valuation.
The Cycle 1 2025 finalists will compete in one of three industry tracks: Life Sciences, Technology (Hardware & Software), and Consumer Goods.
Cycle 1 2025 finalists
Life Sciences
- Cognera Health (Newton, Alabama) — A company developing AI-driven mental health assessment tools to improve patient outcomes.
- Psigryph Corp. (Huntsville, Alabama) — Redefining bioactive molecule delivery with its patented Nanopect™ nanodelivery system, which increases bioavailability for agriculture, food, and pharmaceutical applications.
- Score Pharma, Inc. (Huntsville, Alabama) — Developing next-generation enhanced antibody therapeutics to improve patient responses in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.
Technology (Hardware & Software)
- Core Prototyping (Huntsville, Alabama) — A firm focused on creating rapid prototyping solutions for hardware and software development.
- Elan Vital Development Services, INC DBA as Move to Happy (Auburn, Alabama) — A platform designed to help communities attract and retain top talent through data-driven strategies.
- ProxyLink (Birmingham, Alabama) — Developing a secure, seamless authentication system to enhance digital identity verification.
- Ranalia Biotech Inc. (Huntsville, Alabama) — Revolutionizing food safety and supply chain security with an AI-powered computer vision system that enables early pathogen detection at scale. By combining high-volume screening with precision diagnostics, Ranalia provides a faster, more affordable solution to safeguard the food industry against contamination risks.
Consumer Goods
- Darling Grey (Birmingham, Alabama) — A brand merging American charm with English sophistication, offering high-quality, affordable apparel and home goods for women who appreciate timeless style and purpose-driven living. Committed to making a difference, Darling Grey is on a mission to combat sex trafficking.
- Herban Soul Café (Birmingham, Alabama) — The creator of Yced Tea, a botanical tea brand offering unique wellness-focused flavors.
- The World Baseball League (Birmingham, Alabama) — Making baseball more fun, entertaining, and accessible, uniting people through sports and entertainment to bring communities together.
What’s new in 2025?
Alabama Launchpad’s updated competition structure includes:
- Three industry-specific tracks: Life Sciences, Technology, and Consumer Goods.
- $2,500 upfront funding for each finalist to support business growth.
- 12 weeks of expert mentorship to refine business strategies and prepare for scaling.
- Expanded prize pools per track, with winners taking home up to $100,000.
The updated format ensures startups receive tailored guidance and resources specific to their industries, helping them scale faster and attract future investment.
The Alabama Launchpad Cycle 1 2025 finalists will pitch their business strategies to a panel of industry experts, with winner announcements to follow.
For more information about Alabama Launchpad, visit
