Category: Programs

Innovation Depot Launches Third Boost Cohort, Supporting Startups in Transition from MVP to Market

Posted on April 30, 2025

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Following the success of its previous cohorts, Innovation Depot is proud to announce the launch of Boost Cohort 3, a hands-on program designed to help early-stage founders sharpen their Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), engage with real customers, and move closer to market readiness.

Boost fills a crucial gap in Birmingham’s startup support pipeline by providing tailored resources for founders who have validated their tech ideas and are ready to begin serious customer acquisition and business development.

Key Features of Boost:

Focused on Early Growth: Boost serves founders who are preparing to go from prototype to product, with the goal of securing their first customers and early traction.

Customer-Centric Curriculum: The program emphasizes customer discovery, iterative product development, and go-to-market strategies rooted in real feedback and industry-tested frameworks.

Expert Guidance: Participants gain access to Innovation Depot’s expansive network of mentors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders who offer practical insight and support.

Real-World Application: Boost is structured around interactive, results-driven workshops, giving founders the opportunity to test assumptions, build momentum, and refine their go-to-market approach.

“We’re excited to welcome this next group of founders to Boost and help them navigate one of the most critical phases of building a startup,” said Ritchie Kruunenberg, VP of Strategy & Startup Growth at Innovation Depot. “Our goal is to equip founders with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to confidently take their MVPs into the market and begin growing sustainable businesses.”

Trevor Newberry, Co-Founder of AppThink and Director of Product at Harmony Venture Labs, also expressed his enthusiasm: “With Boost, we’re addressing a crucial gap in entrepreneurial training—securing that all-important first customer. The program is designed to not only guide founders through the process of product development but also to help them learn, iterate, and ultimately sell their products. We’re eager to see the positive impact this cohort will have on the Birmingham startup ecosystem.”

Meet the Boost Cohort 3

Innovation Depot is proud to introduce the eight promising founders selected for Boost Cohort 3:

  • Ethan Hendrix, FICOM Technologies, LLC

  • Jeff Brown

  • Joshua Gilmer, Luau

  • Katie Marietta-Tondin, Lit Up

  • Keith Saffold

  • Miho Kubagawa, Launch Loop

  • Paula Guevara, Bilinci

  • Sanjay Kumar

These founders represent a diverse range of ideas and industries, united by a shared goal: transforming early-stage prototypes into viable, customer-ready products.

Innovation Depot remains committed to nurturing Birmingham’s tech talent and creating an environment where startups can thrive through collaboration, mentorship, and strategic support.

About Innovation Depot:

Innovation Depot is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tech and entrepreneurial support organization headquartered in a 140,000-square-foot campus in downtown Birmingham. The Depot provides a range of founder-focused programs, mentorship opportunities, and incubation space for startups at every stage. To learn more, visit innovationdepot.org.

🚀 Voltage Cohort 10 is Here! 🚀

Posted on March 18, 2025

Innovation Depot is proud to kick off the 10th edition of Voltage, welcoming an incredible group of entrepreneurs ready to turn their tech ideas into reality! With a diverse mix of backgrounds and industries, this cohort has 33 founders & 26 ideas—proof that the demand for early-stage startup support keeps growing.  

Since launching in 2021, Voltage has empowered over 165 entrepreneurs to refine and validate their concepts before jumping headfirst into building. The five-week program is designed with flexibility in mind, helping founders move forward without disrupting their 9-to-5. With expert mentorship from AppThink (powered by HVL) and a supportive community of peers, each participant will gain the clarity, confidence, and connections needed to take their next steps.  

Innovation Depot CEO Brooke Gillis highlighted Voltage’s growing impact:  

 “Each year, Voltage attracts more ambitious founders looking to validate their ideas, and we’re seeing real success stories emerge from the program. Birmingham’s startup ecosystem is growing, and programs like Voltage are helping fuel that momentum. We’re excited to support this next wave of innovators.”


VP of Strategy & Startup Growth Ritchie Kruunenberg added:  

“Voltage continues to prove that early-stage founders need a space to test their ideas before making big commitments. With every cohort, we see more participation, stronger ideas, and founders who are ready to put in the work. This group is bringing serious energy, and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish.”

 

Last week, we kicked things off with a high-energy launch event at Monday Night Brewing, where participants got to connect and set the stage for the journey ahead.  

🎉 A huge welcome to our Cohort 10 founders! 🎉

Peggy Pursell

Justin McCleskey

Justin Hill

Aliyah & Shaliyah Johnson

Naila Jackson

Khiry Jennings

Laura Elliott

Faaiz Saad & Omar Hamki

Merrill Flowers

Chakravarthy Petluri

Ahmad Elgazzar

Laura Way

Eugene Rogers

Amitkumar Mehta & Dharmesh Vora

Miles Underwood

Gabrielle Hunter

Nicholas Hershy

Karthik Gaur, Brandon Woodworth & Mason Wolf

Marvin Hamilton & Utkarsh Kumaran

Apurva Chinta

Will McCollum

Akazha Green

Roderick Jordan & Anthony King

Michael Disko

 

Stay tuned as they take their ideas through the Voltage process—we can’t wait to share their progress!  

#VoltageAtID #StartupJourney #BirminghamTech #FounderLife #InnovationDepot #TechStartups

Innovation Depot Launches Record-Breaking Voltage Cohort 9

Posted on October 22, 2024

Birmingham, Ala. (October 22, 2024) – Innovation Depot is thrilled to announce the launch of the ninth iteration of its Voltage program, welcoming an impressive cohort of 33 entrepreneurs working on 29 unique ideas—the program’s largest and most dynamic group to date. Voltage, which began in 2021, continues to expand its reach and impact, drawing a diverse range of motivated participants eager to transform their tech-driven ideas into reality.

The five-week program is designed to accommodate busy schedules, offering flexibility and access to vital resources. Entrepreneurs in the cohort benefit from expert guidance and cutting-edge tools, all while testing and refining their concepts outside of the traditional 9-to-5 workday.

This year’s cohort highlights Voltage’s growing influence, marked by a record-breaking number of applicants and participants. This growth is a clear indication of the program’s continued success in empowering the next wave of tech innovators.

Ritchie Kruunenberg, Director of Marketing & Operations at Innovation Depot, emphasized the significance of this milestone:

“Voltage’s continued growth speaks volumes about the demand for programs that support early-stage ideas. This cohort isn’t just larger in numbers; it’s filled with individuals who are incredibly motivated and ready to put in the work to make their ideas a reality. Our program has helped over 130 participants to date, and each cohort just keeps getting stronger. We’re excited to see what this group will accomplish.”

Brooke Gillis, CEO of Innovation Depot, also commented on the program’s remarkable trajectory:

“The growth of Voltage is a testament to its importance in Birmingham’s tech ecosystem. Each year, we see more aspiring entrepreneurs join the program, many of whom go on to launch successful startups from Innovation Depot. This surge in participation reflects not only the success of past cohorts but also the increasing visibility and impact of the program.”

Experienced mentors from AppThink, powered by HVL, continue to guide participants through the program, ensuring they make well-informed decisions as they bring their ideas to life. The program kicked off last week with an energizing event at Monday Night Brewing, where participants engaged in relationship-building activities led by Raven Johnson through The Gathering Lab.

Big welcome to the members of Cohort 9:

Elias Hendricks, Christina Renteria, Nathan Chester
Bryan Lai
Katie Marietta-Tondin
Le’Terrica Montgomery
Lori Edmonds, Jenna LaChenaye, Josephine Prado
Danielle Womack
Jacob Norgord
Adam Richey
Stephanie Willis
Oscar Whit Kilby
Paula Guevara
Miho Kubagawa
Matt Stroman
Erica Robinson
Tatianna Turrentine-Long
Kris Hazard
Donisha Collier
Sarah Minor
Joshua Gilmer
Venu Gopal Kundella
LaTrisha Moore
Myles Taylor
Jinida Holt
Kimberley Barnes
Keith Saffold
Jasmine Fells
Lathan Bennett
Hazina Dorius
Zachary Farmer

About Innovation Depot:

Innovation Depot, a 501(c)3 nonprofit tech and entrepreneurial support organization. Housed in a 140,000 square foot building in downtown Birmingham, The Depot offers various programs for aspiring founders as well as incubation space for scaling companies. For more information, please visit innovationdepot.org.



Innovation Depot Launches Boost 2, Driving Startups to Secure Their First Customers

Posted on October 22, 2024

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Aug. 29, 2024) – Building on the success of the inaugural cohort, Innovation Depot proudly announces the launch of Boost Cohort 2, an advanced program designed to help early-stage founders refine their Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and secure their first customers. Boost addresses a critical gap in the startup ecosystem, supporting entrepreneurs who have validated their tech ideas and are now working towards making their ventures full-time pursuits.

Key Features of Boost:

  • Tailored for Emerging Startups: Boost continues to cater to early-stage founders who are ready to transition from idea validation to tangible market entry.
  • Customer Acquisition Focus: The curriculum emphasizes customer discovery, MVP iteration, and the strategies necessary to secure the first paying customer.
  • Comprehensive Support: Participants will benefit from the network of Innovation Depot’s mentors, industry leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the challenges of early customer engagement.
  • Hands-On Learning: The program provides practical, objective-driven sessions, allowing founders to test and refine their products in real-world scenarios.

“We are thrilled to welcome a new group of founders into Boost, a program that directly addresses the critical steps from MVP development to securing that pivotal first customer,” says Ritchie Kruunenberg, Director of Marketing & Operations of Innovation Depot. “Our goal is to provide these entrepreneurs with the tools, guidance, and network they need to transform their ideas into viable, market-ready businesses.”

Trevor Newberry, Co-Founder of AppThink and Director of Product at Harmony Venture Labs, also expressed his enthusiasm: “With Boost, we’re addressing a crucial gap in entrepreneurial training—securing that all-important first customer. The program is designed to not only guide founders through the process of product development but also to help them learn, iterate, and ultimately sell their products. We’re eager to see the positive impact this cohort will have on the Birmingham startup ecosystem.”

Meet the Second Boost Cohort

We are excited to introduce the innovative founders selected for Boost Cohort 2. This cohort showcases the diversity and creativity that Innovation Depot fosters:

Eric & Olivia Lott, Vendtor

Hunter Harper & Matt Byars

Jason Mann, Thrive14

John Walter, Proxylink

Katrina Jones, Sportsify

Lee Benson Martin, Mealvana

Rebecca Dobrinski, CommuServe

Shekinah Joy Lee, Purposed Joy

William Glass, Ostrich

As they progress towards launching their MVPs and gaining their first customers, Innovation Depot is committed to providing an environment that supports growth and collaboration.

About Innovation Depot:

Innovation Depot, a 501(c)3 nonprofit tech and entrepreneurial support organization. Housed in a 140,000 square foot building in downtown Birmingham, The Depot offers various programs for aspiring founders as well as incubation space for scaling companies. For more information, please visit innovationdepot.org.