Ignite Alabama - Sparking Innovation & Entrepreneurship In Alabama

Episode 21 of the Ignite Alabama podcast features Sheree Martin's conversation with Jack White, CEO and founder of Book-it Legal, an innovative startup in the legal space. Book-it Legal is a marketplace startup that helps law firms hire law students to do legal research, legal writing and other related work. Jack is a lawyer who spent a few years practicing transactional law with a “big” law firm in Birmingham before starting Book-it Legal, LLC in 2016. Book-it Legal got its first boost through the Alabama Launchpad program when it won $50,000 in funding to push the new company from idea to minimum viable product. Most recently, Book-it Legal was one of 10 startups (out of 100 applicants) selected to make up the first cohort of the Velocity Accelerator Program through the Innovation Depot. The first edition Velocity Accelerator ended in April and I believe applications are still open for the second cohort. Jack’s plans for Book-it Legal, LLC for summer of 2017 are to grow and scale the enterprise. At the time

Taylor Phillips, managing director of the new 501(c)(3) nonprofit Futureproof Bama is the guest on Episode 20 of the Ignite Alabama podcast. Alabama has, at most, a 10-year window to prepare for a future where 30% or more of the jobs that exist today will be replaced by AI, robotics and other automation technologies. The time to prepare for this new future is today, but that can only happen if there's awareness that leads to action. I'm optimistic about how my own life will fit into the new automation paradigm, but, like Taylor, I'm concerned that Alabama is woefully unprepared for the future that is already arriving. Many jobs are being lost to AI and automation technology right now. When most people think of automation and robots they think of robotic welding and factory floor assembly lines. In reality, the job sectors are going to be hit first and fastest will be the traditional administrative positions in banking and finance, insurance, document review and assembly and the like. Trucking and transportati

Matthew & Jesie Lawrence, owners of Marble Creek Farmstead, are my guests on episode 19 of the Ignite Alabama podcast. Marble Creek Farmstead is a sustainable farming operation in Talladega County producing pastured poultry and pork, along with a variety of produce and other specialty meats. One of the biggest challenges for Alabama poultry producers has been the lack of a USDA-certified poultry processing facility in the state (and limited availability or other meat processing facilities for smaller producers of beef, pork or other meats). Matthew Lawrence, who has an MBA and finance background, and his wife Jesie, who has a business degree in marketing, saw a need AND a business opportunity to bring USDA-certified poultry processing to Alabama and started working earlier this year to solve that problem. In April, they opened Pell City Processing at The Trading Post. Matthew and Jesie own a majority interest in the venture. Matthew & Jesie take a wholistic approach to farming and problem-solving or p

In this week’s show you’re going to get a taste of some of the innovative ideas in development by a few of Alabama’s brightest startups. The Birmingham Venture Club was kind enough to let me attend the first round of the inaugural Spark Match Pitch competition held May 26, 2016 at the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham. Eight startups were selected from over 25 applicants to participate in the first round of the Spark Match using a video-based application process. Four of the original eight were selected to advance to the semi-final round set for July 28. Semi-finalists were selected through an audience voting system using the sli.do app. At the Spark Match, the startups were placed in one of two divisions--the Vulcan Division and the Rickwood Division. If you’re familiar with Birmingham, you probably understand the division names. Vulcan, of course, is the original iron man, the cast iron statue that’s the symbol of the Magic City. Rickwood is the legendary baseball field--America’s oldest surviving profe

Jason Maddox, president of Vulcan Security Systems, in Birmingham, Alabama talks about IP video surveillance security technology and the commercial video security solutions his company provides. Clients include small manufacturers and industrial operations, warehouses, shopping centers, retail establishments, churches, daycare facilities, private schools and similar enterprises. This Episode Consists of Promoted Content. Full show notes are available at http://alabamaignite.com/17 For more on Vulcan Security Systems visit: http://ignitealabama.com/vulcansecurity

George Kobler, an attorney in Huntsville, Alabama who practices in the area of intellectual property, is the guest on episode 16 of the Ignite Alabama podcast. IP law encompasses patents, which is the focus of today’s conversation, as well as copyright law, trademarks, and proprietary information that falls within the realm of trade secrets. In this conversation George explains the difference between copyrights, trademarks, patents and other forms of intellectual property. Our focus is on patent law. To determine whether something might be eligible for patent protection, the first question is whether it pertains to eligible subject matter. George explains, basically, what this means. If yes, then the next question is whether the invention is both novel and non-obvious. We walk through several hypothetical examples. We also talk about situations involving co-inventors, modifications to someone else's design, inventions and discoveries made in the course of employment or using employer's resources outside of th

Episode 15 of the Ignite Alabama podcast is a quick recap of two panel discussions from Rocket Hatch's Investor Day about how to pitch to and work with VCs and angel investors. Full show notes available at http://ignitealabama.com  

Welcome to episode 14 of the Ignite Alabama podcast. I’m your host and producer Sheree Martin and this show is about sparking innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Alabama.   This week’s guest is Antonio Montoya, an entrepreneur and one of the forces behind RocketHatch, a creative community and startup space in Huntsville, Alabama.   The RocketHatch statement of values are a perfect reflection of what every true 21st century enterprise should cherish: Collaboration over competition Trust over agendas Encouragement over criticism   Those values reflect what I’m trying to offer through this podcast and my larger Shinecast mission. This show is about Conversations with entrepreneurs and innovators without an agenda other than sparking innovation and entrepreneurship--in whatever form or shape it emerges.   I’m a native of the Shoals area of northwest Alabama and Huntsville was always our “big city” neighbor. Huntsville is where we went for big city shopping during the holidays. Huntsville is where we wen

In this bonus episode of the Ignite Alabama podcast, Deon Gordon & Nichol Welty of REV Birmingham deliver the when, what and how to submit your business idea to the 2015 Big Pitch Competition. PNC has put up $25,000 in prize money for this year's event. The deadline for applications is currently set for September 4, 2015. A panel of judges will select 10 finalists who will receive intensive mentoring and business guidance and then deliver their pitches, Shark Tank style, in November. Since REV Birmingham's mission is to revitalize areas of Birmingham's urban core, the ideal business is one that will add to the neighborhood vibe and generate street traffic. So, if you're a maker or creative with a business that generates foot traffic this is a competition you should look into. Find out more at http://alabamaignite.com

  To Your Health Sprouted Flour Company in Fitzpatrick Alabama is the recipient of the Alabama Launchpad 2015 award for Outstanding Achievement in Innovative Manufacturing. These awards will be presented at Alabama Launchpad’s annual Innovation Conference in early September in Birmingham. Today’s guest is Peggy Sutton, who co-founded To Your Health Sprouted Flour Company with her husband and they’ve grown the business from a kitchen startup to a major economic force in Bullock County, with more than 30 employees. Founder Peggy Sutton shares her entrepreneurial journey with To Your Health Sprouted Flour Company, how the company has grown, and how its product line fits into the rapidly growing global market for real food. I’m a big proponent of eating real food and believe that real food--like organic sprouted grains--is a linchpin in solving two major problems in Alabama: Chronic disease and also rural economic development. Thanks to the willing support of her co-founder husband, Peggy's company is now sprouti

E. J. Reedy of the Kauffman Foundation is the guest to talk about the 2015 Kauffman Index of Startup Activity. We cover the Index methodology and look at some of the characteristics of Alabama's dismal 49th place ranking. Find out more at http://alabamaignite.com  

Greg Sheek, director of Launchpad Programs, gives us an in-depth look at the Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. Greg describes the Launchpad startup competition, time frame for submission (currently running 3x per year), and the types of feedback that entrepreneurs who go through the competition receive throughout the process. Greg also provides an overview of the annual Innovation Conference and SBIR grant assistance provided through the Launchpad programs. This year's Innovation Conference is set for September 2, 2015 in Birmingham. Subscribe to the Ignite Alabama podcast on iTunes and listen via your favorite podcast app. Find out more at http://alabamaignite.com.

Tony Megna, founder of BDI Labs, is the guest on episode 9 of Ignite Alabama. He gives a look at MediaBit, the first product in the Internet of Things product line that BDI Labs will roll out over the next few years. BDI Labs recently finished its season with the GIGTANK Accelerator Program in Chattanooga and is in the middle of a Kickstarter campaign that will end August 22, 2015. BDI Labs is based in Huntsville, Alabama. In addition to telling us about the MediaBit, Tony offers up some great tips and advice for start-up entrepreneurs. A special shout out to the 5 individuals who left awesome 5 star reviews of the Ignite Alabama podcast over on iTunes. Thank you, thank you. I so glad to hear that YOU like like what YOU’RE hearing. If you are so inclined, I would very much appreciate it if you would leave a rating or review of the Ignite Alabama podcast on whatever platform you’re using to listen to the show, whether it’s SoundCloud, Stitcher Radio, Pocketcasts or iTunes or whatever.   Full shownotes availabl

"Fear of Failure" is a theme that has come up frequently in early episodes of Ignite Alabama and in my general conversations about what holds people back from becoming an entrepreneur or taking action to go for a goal or dream. Dr. Gabriella Cacciotti's research centers on the "fear of failure" concept as it relates to entrepreneurship. We spoke recently via Skype about her doctoral research on the concept of fear of failure and the excellent literature review paper she published in 2014 with Professor James Hayton through the Enterprise Research Centre in England. This is the first "theory" focused episode of Ignite Alabama and Dr. Cacciotti provides an excellent summation of her research which reveals inconsistencies in the conceptualization of "fear of failure" and varied approaches to classifying and measuring this somewhat ephemeral concept. We go a little deep but if you are interested why it can be challenging to "get your head around" fear of failure I think you will enjoy this episode. Find out more

In this episode of the Ignite Alabama podcast we take a big-picture look at 3D printing technology from the perspective of Dr. Kenneth Sloan, UAB professor of computer science and director of the 3D Print Lab at UAB.   This episode of Ignite Alabama is the introductory episode to 3D printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing. Dr. Sloan’s area of expertise is in computer science for 3D modeling.   The 3D Print lab at UAB is mainly used for teaching and research but contract 3D printing can be performed on a limited scale for anyone who has the CAD model program written for a project.   In terms of materials, the UAB 3D Print Lab can print in both ABS and PLA thermoplastics. ABS is a very sturdy plastic, while PLA is a non-toxic biodegradable plastic that’s suitable for medical type implants. Dr. Sloan gets into the difference briefly in his comments. I first learned about 3D printing or additive manufacturing when I was a contributing writer for Fabricating Equipment News way back at the dawn of

In episode 6 of Ignite Alabama we met Jake Wright and Cole Kinchler, two of the co-founders of SimplyProse, an online writing platform, that is making some noise in the start-up world. Jake and Cole are senior business majors at Auburn University. In this interview, Jake and Cole explain how they came up with the idea as part of the Tiger Cage business pitch competition in the Fall of 2014. The recognition they received from the Tiger Cage competition led to mentoring by Kyle Sandler of The Round House. SimplyProse recently moved forward in the Alabama Launchpad startup pitch competition. In the SimplyProse platform writers find a space to create, critique and market their work for profit or personal enjoyment. Writers decide who is able to view and contribute to their work, which suggestions are most beneficial, and which publisher best fits their budget and objectives for their project. For publishers and literary professionals, finding engaging new content and sifting through submissions has never been mor

The Ark Labs in Florence, Alabama is a start-up that is developing technology to combine artificial intelligence with smart devices and the internet of things to monitor and control residential and commercial water usage. The technology will help to boost water efficiency, reduce insurance claims due to water damage, and reduce demands on local water supply and wastewater treatment facilities. In episode 5 of Ignite Alabama I talk to Robbie Hillis, the force behind this Florence, Alabama-based startup. The Ark Labs is one of the startups chosen to participate in this summer's GIG Tank Accelerator program in Chattanooga. After we cover the problem that The Ark Labs technology will solve, we get into a bigger discussion about entrepreneurship in Alabama, the fear of failure and desire for the illusion of security that seems to hold back so many people who might otherwise start a business (small or large), and the plethora of innovative ideas that are all around us. Visit http://alabamaignite.com for complete sh

MotionMobs is a mobile-first app development company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. In episode 4 of Ignite Alabama, Taylor Wyatt, co-founder and president of MotionMobs, talks about the history and business growth of MotionMobs but the focus of our conversation is on the process of planning a startup from idea to launch and the benefits and challenges of growing a tech startup in Alabama. We talk about angel investors and other methods of funding a startup and the importance of comprehensive and careful planning whether you are starting a new business or seeking to develop an app for your company. We also talk about education with the focus on tech education and the role of traditional 4-year college degrees for tech careers. This conversation is the same interview available as episode 4 of Birmingham Shines podcast, with different intro and outro comments from the host, Sheree Martin. You can find more detailed show notes and other resources at http://alabamaignite.com

In this episode of Ignite Alabama I talk with Jennifer Skjellum, executive director of Tech Birmingham and the Central Alabama chapter of Angel Investor Management Group. Jennifer moved to Alabama from Starville, Mississippi when her husband became chair of the Computer Science department at UAB.  She's a successful tech entrepreneur with several successful business ventures under her belt and she's now involved in helping other entrepreneurs and start-up visionaries grow and launch their businesses through her work with the AIM Group, Tech Birmingham and a new 501c3, Tech Alabama. In this episode, we cover everything from the recent Kaufmann Foundation report which ranked Alabama 49th in startups to a new coding program for teen girls. For more information and full show notes, visit http://alabamaignite.com.  

Soluble Therapeutics, Inc. was formed in 2008 to commercialize technogy developed by UAB researchers. This HSC™ Technology helps to deal with a bottleneck in pharmaceutical R&D--the identification of appropriate biologic solutions to deliver protein-based drugs. In 2010 Dr. Joseph M. Garner came on board as CEO of Soluble Therapeutics, Inc. to lead the commercialization efforts and continue to validate the technology. Director of Business Development, John McCarter, is the guest of this episode of Ignite Alabama. He began working with Soluble Therapeutics, Inc. in 2010 as an intern and moved through the ranks in business development. John explains the company's transition from a primary focus on technology validation to the commercialization of the technology and expansion. He also describes some of the capitalization sources, which have included significant infusion from venture capital funds and a $1 million NIH grant.Soluble Therapeutics, Inc. has a global customer base and John explains how he uses we