Montgomery TechLab recently hosted Demo Day for its inaugural cohort of 10 tech startups, allowing potential investors, stakeholders and technology professionals from around the state to see the businesses and solutions that have been developed during the preceding 12 weeks.

Montgomery TechLab provides startups value access to leaders across government, industry and education to accelerate growth and economic development across the Montgomery region.

These opportunities include connecting startups with local talent and building relationships with potential customers in the federal, state and local government and commercial sectors, aiming to better position themselves to compete in the digital economy.

“The accelerator program highlighted the incredible potential for tech startups to engage with local partners,” said Marcus Shaw, Montgomery TechLab founder. “It is clear that Montgomery has the resources and the vision to build a strong tech ecosystem that will drive growth in the region.”

The tech startup accelerator program focuses on mobile app development and is led by Shaw, former executive director of Chattanooga, Tennessee-based The Company Lab.

Ten tech startups presented their business ideas and solutions on Montgomery TechLab’s first Demo Day. (contributed)

Advancing tech

The program is part of Alabama’s strategic effort to advance economic growth through innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.

“Recruiting high-tech jobs has long been a priority for Alabama’s economic development team, and we’re taking concrete steps to nourish and strengthen the ecosystem so that startups and tech entrepreneurs across the state can thrive,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.

The Montomery TechLab counts among the successes of its first cohort the partnership between Riis Technology and Alabama State University that was recently awarded a $1.5 million Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant to develop a medical records management solution for a Texas military installation.

TechMGM, the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce technology initiative, coordinated a full day of events around the demo and invited statewide business and government leaders to Montgomery’s tech and innovation district to connect, engage and learn about the area’s initiatives, partnerships and potential.

“The completion of the first cohort of the Montgomery TechLab marks a major step for our tech and innovation community,” said Montgomery Chamber CEO Anna Buckalew.

“Montgomery TechLab, combined with our unique infrastructure and resources and powerful economic development partnerships, positions Montgomery as a tech hub and incubator for tech startups,” she added.

This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.