Month: September 2025

Voltage 11 is here!

Posted on September 9, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Birmingham, Ala. (September 2025) – Innovation Depot is proud to announce the launch of the eleventh iteration of its Voltage program, welcoming a new cohort of 25 entrepreneurs working on 21 bold, tech-driven ideas. Since its inception in 2021, Voltage has empowered more than 200 aspiring founders to test, refine, and validate their business concepts—cementing its place as a cornerstone program for early-stage innovation in the Birmingham area.

The five-week program is uniquely designed for founders who are balancing busy lives, offering flexible evening and weekend sessions and access to vital resources. Participants will receive practical tools and a supportive community to transform raw ideas into tested, market-ready concepts—all outside of the traditional 9-to-5 schedule.

This cohort represents the continued growth and momentum of Voltage. With consistent demand, the program demonstrates just how vital structured support is for first-time founders and innovators across Alabama.

Ritchie Kruunenberg, VP of Strategy & Startup Growth at Innovation Depot, emphasized the significance of this milestone:

“Every Voltage cohort is a reflection of Birmingham’s expanding entrepreneurial energy. These participants bring diverse perspectives and are united by a drive to solve real problems through innovation. We’ve now supported over 200 entrepreneurs through Voltage, and each group continues to raise the bar. This eleventh cohort will no doubt push the boundaries of what’s possible.”

Brooke Gillis, CEO of Innovation Depot, highlighted the impact of Voltage on Birmingham’s startup ecosystem:

“The growth of Voltage is proof that early-stage founders need accessible, high-quality programming. We’re watching participants turn ideas into businesses, many of which continue on into our incubation programs here at Innovation Depot. This program is fueling the next generation of startups.”

As in previous years, AppThink, powered by HVL, will provide hands-on training and mentorship, helping participants make informed decisions as they shape their ventures. The program kicked off with a high-energy networking event designed to connect founders and set the tone for five weeks of rapid progress.

Welcome to Voltage Cohort 11:

  • Adil Patel

  • Alex Bimes

  • Anna Lynn Harms

  • Ash Perry

  • Autumn Sanders

  • Balagee Govindan

  • Bradford Caddell

  • Chuck Self

  • Curtis Renninger

  • Darrick Long

  • Devin James Holcomb

  • Ivy Rice

  • Jesus (Alex) Martinez

  • Mallory Sublette

  • Mike Hancock

  • Myles Chandler

  • Patrick McKinney

  • Patrick Rixey

  • Scarlotte Kilgore

  • Talib Tayyab Mohammed

  • Tara Renninger

  • Taylor McKinney

  • Teria Alexandria Agee

  • Teyseer “Ty” Missoum

  • Tierra Virden

About Innovation Depot
Innovation Depot is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tech and entrepreneurial support organization. Housed in a 140,000-square-foot building in downtown Birmingham, The Depot is the largest tech hub in the Southeast and home to programs that guide startups from idea to growth. From flexible coworking spaces to nationally recognized accelerators, Innovation Depot provides the resources founders need to launch and scale their companies.

To learn more about Voltage, visit innovationdepot.org/program/voltage.