Two startup companies competed in a field of eight finalists to earn a combined $75,000 in the Alabama Launchpad Cycle 2 2024 Finale.

Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), partnered with Innovate Alabama to host the finale at the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Invention to Innovation Center (I2C) on Aug. 15.

NephSol Inc., co-founded by Olivia Bruno and Sydney Ringold, claimed $25,000, winning the concept stage. NephSol Inc. is revolutionizing dialysis care with its headset designed to monitor cerebral blood flow during treatments. The company aims to reduce severe side effects and mortality rates associated with dialysis due to decreased blood flow in the brain.

“Winning Alabama Launchpad is the next big step for our company,” Ringold said. “It means we will be able to complete our regulatory process filings – a step needed for a medical device company. We are beyond excited to finally check that off, move forward and potentially go to market very quickly.”

Zone Protects, founded by Brian Baer, won the early seed stage prize of $50,000. The company creates safe and effective Picaridin insect repellents – 12-hour, non-oily protection against ticks, mosquitoes and other insects. Zone also provides pet protection and hunting-related products.

“Alabama Launchpad has been such an awesome experience,” Baer said. “With all of this experience, we are going to make Zone Protects a national brand – right here from north Alabama.”

Each finalist company received two months of intensive mentorship, through both one-on-one and group session training with startup founders and business experts, to prepare for the finale judging panels.

The early-seed stage companies were evaluated by three judges: Lisa Davis Mays, CEO of the Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship; James Wessel, CEO at Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus; and Sierra Pena, director of the GBeta Accelerator at gener8tor.

“I think that the general enthusiasm and spirit of the entrepreneurs witnessed at Alabama Launchpad is so contagious,” Mays said. “When you are sitting there watching these pitches, you realize they are creating genius concepts that are not only going to make Alabama a better place but the world a better place. It is exciting for the future of Alabama’s entrepreneurial landscape.”

The concept-stage competition included a panel of three judges: Kannan Grant, director of Tech Transfer at the University of Alabama in Huntsville; Benzamin Choi, CEO at Alabama Capital Network; and Toni Eberhart, a Strategic Communications consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton.

“I am incredibly thankful for Launchpad and the rest of the team,” Choi said. “Not just for the challenging work they do in preparing for these events, but for the real work required leading up to the event, in terms of serving founders and the wider community. Launchpad is the cornerstone of Alabama’s innovative ecosystem.”

Alabama Launchpad has funded 121 Alabama startups since its inception in 2006. During the past 17 years, Alabama Launchpad has awarded more than $6 million to the winning companies, which today have an estimated combined post-money valuation of more than $1 billion and employ more than 1,400 people.

Alabama Launchpad is conducted in partnership with Innovate Alabama, which implements programs and policies that support Alabama’s innovation ecosystem. Through these efforts, Innovate Alabama empowers entrepreneurs, business owners and students to build a business, a career and a life in Alabama.

“Partnering with Alabama Launchpad is a mission-aligned opportunity for Innovate Alabama to help entrepreneurs and small businesses get the resources they need to grow,” said Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama. “I was thrilled to see such bright concepts and innovative businesses pitched for real, non-dilutive funding. These investments are crucial in fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and will undoubtedly strengthen Alabama’s economy of the future.”

Alabama Launchpad is also funded in part by grants from Innovate Alabama and the Appalachian Regional Commission, as well as private foundations like Alabama Power, Truist, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s Caring Foundation and Wells Fargo.

The Alabama Launchpad program has funded growing companies such as Autonoma, Croux, Cheeriodicals and Immediate. The EDPA is a private, nonprofit organization that supports business recruitment and expansion efforts in Alabama and promotes innovative and emerging startup companies through Alabama Launchpad.

The Alabama Launchpad Cycle 3 2024 applications will open Wednesday, Aug. 21. To learn more, click here.