Innovation Depot launches Boost Cohort 4

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (October 15, 2025) – Building on the momentum of its earlier cohorts, Innovation Depot is excited to launch Boost Cohort 4; a hands-on program helping early-stage founders sharpen their Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), engage real customers, and move toward repeatable traction.

Boost fills a crucial gap in Birmingham’s startup pipeline by serving founders who’ve validated a tech idea and are ready to win their first customers and build the foundations of growth.

What founders get in Boost

• Early-growth focus: Go from prototype to product with a clear path to first customers and early traction.
• Customer-centric playbooks: Practical work on discovery, positioning, pricing, and go-to-market; rooted in real feedback.
• Expert guidance: Access to Innovation Depot mentors, operators, and industry leaders for tactical support.
• Real-world reps: Interactive workshops and weekly checkpoints to test assumptions, iterate quickly, and build momentum.

“This stage, getting from MVP to ‘someone paid for it’, is where focused support matters most,” said Ritchie Kruunenberg, VP of Strategy & Startup Growth at Innovation Depot. “Boost gives founders the tools, accountability, and community to turn signals into traction.”

Meet Boost Cohort 4

Innovation Depot is proud to welcome the founders selected for Boost Cohort 4:

• Anthony King & Roderick Jordan
• Braden Crow & Drake Willhite
• Brihanna Brown
• Eisa Shunarra
• Jason Owens
• Matthew McCarter
• Merrill Flowers
• Miles Underwood
• Olivia Harris

These founders span a range of industries, united by a shared goal: transforming early prototypes into customer-ready products with measurable traction.

Innovation Depot remains committed to nurturing Birmingham’s tech talent and creating an environment where startups thrive through mentorship, community, and founder-focused programming.

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 programs, mentorship, and workspace for founders at every stage. Learn more at innovationdepot.org.