Tag: Boost

Innovation Depot launches Boost Cohort 4

Posted on October 15, 2025

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.

Keep reading: Boost Cohort 3

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.

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.

Keep reading: Boost Cohort 4 | Boost Cohort 2

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.

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.



Keep reading: Boost Cohort 3