Fundraising FoxInnovation Depot
AcceleratorBirmingham · Pre-Seed–Seed · 28 people tracked
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Investment thesis
Innovation Depot aims to help serious founders build serious companies in Birmingham by creating a high-performance environment where startups can move faster, gain traction, and grow with the right support. Through structured pathways, expert guidance, and access to key people and resources, it helps founders turn ideas into real companies, build strong teams, and create lasting local impact. It positions itself as the place where ambitious builders come to do the work and keep moving forward.
Source: firm website, verified Oct 2, 2026.
Team · 28 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 29 of 115 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×13Enterprise Software ×7SaaS ×6Biotech ×5Fintech ×5Cleantech ×4Climate Tech ×4Consumer ×4
HQs:United States×23
Portfolio companies · 115 tracked
alumni founders can tell you what the program is really like
Accelerate Wind develops edge-of-roof wind turbine technology for commercial and industrial customers globally, enabling local energy generation by harnessing wind channeled by building structures.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechClimate TechEnergyHardwareSt. Louis, US
Erika Boeing(Founder & CEO)inSophie Schaffer(Chief Operating Officer)inCharlie Walch(Chief Financial Officer)in
Co-investorsCreative Destruction Lab (CDL)Halogen Ventures Management Company LlcTechstarsThird DerivativeInvested Development
Analytical AI develops artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions, including computer vision and threat detection systems, for U.S. federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechGovTechBirmingham, US
Thomas Anthony(Co-Founder & CIO)inMark Froehlich(Co-Founder & CEO)inFrank Skidmore(Co-Founder & Special Advisor)inCecil Bostany(Director)Kelly Hoggan(Director)inMark A Froelich(Executive Officer, Director)
Athletes.org is a players association for college athletes that educates, organizes, and represents members by negotiating the terms of their collegiate athletic experience.
Sports Tech
Jim Cavale(Founder)in
Co-investorsJDS SportsPhoenix Capital Ventures
Birdstop manufactures drone technology for government and industrial clients.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechHardwareIoTRoboticsSan Francisco, US
Keith Miao(Founder and CEO)Bill Liu(Founder)
BoardAndrea Hippeau(Director)in
Co-investors640 OxfordAlumni VenturesAnorak VenturesBascom VenturesCorrelation VenturesData Tech+5 more
Cerebro develops an AI-based clinical decision-support system for structured signal capture and pattern detection in brain and metabolic health, currently in experimental research phase for evaluation by clinical sites and research partners.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesDover, US
Co-investorsTechstars
CHONEX develops insect-derived biological products that enhance soil health, plant nutrition, and crop resilience to address challenges including salinity, drought, heat, and nutrient deficiency.
AgTechBiotechCircular EconomyClimate TechNew Materials
Michael Lynch(Founder)in
Co-investorsBonaventure Capital
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A decision-making assessment tool that evaluates business leaders' decision processes, preferences, and teamwork dynamics to provide insights for organizational decision-making.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareHR TechVallejo, US
Teasha Cable(Executive Officer, Director)inJazmine Cable-Whitehurst(Executive Officer)inRuss Muzzolini(Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsLightship CapitalRogue Womens FundTechstars
Condoit provides a cloud-based platform that digitizes and manages electrical infrastructure asset data for commercial and industrial contractors.
Construction TechEnterprise SoftwareIoTSaaSBirmingham, US
Ian Hoppe(Founder)Peyton Sherwood(Co-founder)
Co-investorsC2 VenturesClocktower VenturesFontinalis PartnersOverlineTechstarsThe Westly Group+1 more
Croux is a staffing platform that uses AI matching to connect temporary workers with hospitality and event venues across the United States.
AI & Machine LearningB2B MarketplacesHR TechBirmingham, US
Kenny Kung(Executive Officer, Director)inJames Stewart Price(Executive Officer, Director)Jennifer Ryan(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsHalogen Ventures Management Company LlcRogue Womens FundSymphonic CapitalTitletownTech
DevClarity is a consulting service that helps private-equity-backed engineering teams adopt AI-assisted coding tools through environment setup, hands-on training, and directed project work.
AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsFuture of WorkBirmingham, US
Peter Inge(Chief Executive Officer)inWill Blackburn(Executive Officer)in
Emission Free Generators manufactures portable hydrogen fuel cell power systems (ZENH2) that deliver clean, silent, zero-emission electricity for homes, off-grid installations, and emergency response.
CleantechClimate TechEnergyHardwareCovina, US
Co-investorsTechstars
HData is an AI-native operating system that helps utilities, regulators, and energy companies manage regulatory compliance and business intelligence through centralized data and standardized reporting.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnergyEnterprise SoftwareFintechGovTechJoliet, US
Hudson Hollister(Founder)inYuval Lubowich(Co-Founder)in
BoardJohn Fein(Director)inAmy Francetic(Director)inAnthony Mealey(Director)Mithun Banarjee(Director)
Co-investorsBuoyant Ventures Management, LlcFirebrand VenturesHyde Park Venture PartnersTechstarsBlueTree Venture CapitalFrontier Venture Capital+6 more
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Help Lightning provides an enterprise augmented reality platform for remote visual guidance, letting remote experts assist field technicians and customers through patented merged reality video collaboration, AI-assisted tools, and automated visual procedures.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Bart Guthrie(Founder)Marc Guthrie(Chief Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsBonaventure CapitalTech Square Ventures
Idyllo provides estimate and job scheduling software designed specifically for painting companies, enabling smart assignment of jobs based on team skills and geography to reduce dropped leads and improve customer reach.
Enterprise SoftwarePropTechSaaSWashington, US
Co-investorsTechstars
KrillPay operates a mobile payment app that lets migrants send money home to unbanked relatives, who receive funds instantly in local currency via a digital wallet, alongside credit-building, virtual cards, and savings features.
ConsumerFintechImpact & Social GoodBirmingham, US
Emmanuel Etim Umoh(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsDraper AssociatesHalogen Ventures Management Company Llc
nyad.ai develops AI-powered microscopy image analysis for wastewater treatment operators, using computer vision and deep learning to classify organisms and floc characteristics in activated sludge and provide real-time corrective action recommendations.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningCleantechBirmingham, US
Virginia Szepietowski(Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsHalogen Ventures Management Company LlcTechstarsBoost VCDraper AssociatesFirst Avenue Ventures
Primer operates a network of microschools blending human instruction with technology to personalize learning for K-12 students, addressing education gaps in math and reading.
ConsumerEdTechMiami, US
Ryan Delk(Co-Founder and CEO)in
Co-investorsCubit CapitalDesigner FundEarl Grey CapitalElevate VenturesExpaHyperguap+15 more
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resbiotic develops physician-formulated prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic supplements alongside microbiome testing to address gut health and chronic conditions.
BiotechConsumerDigital HealthWellness & FitnessVestavia Hills, US
Charitharth Vivek Lal(President and Director of Issuer)Dr. Vivek Lal(Founder)Braxton Goodrich(Director)
Agritech company designing modular hydroponic farms that let operators grow about 5 acres of crops in 500 square feet.
AgTechMobile, US
Kenneth Dale Speetjens(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsTechstars
Smart Alto provides AI-powered lead generation and marketing automation software for real estate professionals, combining property data, owner/renter databases, and multi-channel outreach tools to identify and engage potential home sellers.
AI & Machine LearningMarketing TechPropTechBirmingham, US
Hassan Riggs(Founder/CEO)inWayne Anderson(Founder/COO)in
Co-investorsY CombinatorTimberline Holdings
SmartWiz provides a tax return preparation tool that automatically fills client data and documents into supported tax software with minimal manual entry.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS
Co-investorsSerac VenturesSouth Loop Ventures
Sparkfund provides deployment services to utilities for distributed energy resources (DERs), helping them design, deploy, and manage DER projects at scale across the grid.
CleantechClimate TechEnergyEnterprise Software
Pier LaFarge(Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsEnergy Impact PartnersAlumni VenturesConstellation Technology VenturesE8 AngelsMount Pleasant VenturesRET Ventures
SunFire Bio develops and sells characterized monoclonal antibodies targeting pneumococcal polysaccharides and Shigella pathogens for research purposes.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesBirmingham, US
Rob Burton(Founder)Dr. Deborah Bidanset(Founder)Dr. Phil Fernsten(Founder)Taehea Nahm(Founder)Moon Nahm(Dr.)
Techstars is a pre-seed and early-stage venture capital firm and accelerator operator that invests in founders and provides capital, mentorship, and network connections.
FintechSector AgnosticBoulder, US
David Cohen(Co-founder)inDavid Brown(Co-founder)inBrad Feld(Co-founder)inJared Polis(Co-founder)inJason Seats(Executive Officer)inScott Ford(Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsEIT Urban Mobility AcceleratorFirestartrFoundryM1720Metavallon VCRenaissance Venture Capital+4 more
Trialus Bioscience provides protein purification products and services for laboratory and research applications.
BiotechDeep TechBirmingham, US
Robert Shufflebarger(Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer)
TruSpin develops an AC electrospinning platform for producing nanofibers, including inorganic and organic compositions with controllable diameter, alignment, and porosity.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechFemTechHealthtechNew MaterialsBirmingham, US
Robert Thurman Agnew(Co-founder and CEO)
Co-investorsTechstars
VeroSkills provides an AI-agent platform for staffing and recruiting teams that automates sourcing, resume screening, candidate ranking, dynamic voice interviews, license verification, and reference checks.
AI & Machine LearningHR TechSaaS
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesAmbassadors Impact NetworkCircadian VenturesEagle VentureMu VenturesService Provider Capital+4 more
Yuva Biosciences develops and licenses Y100, a cosmetic active ingredient that enhances mitochondrial health to reduce visible signs of aging for use in skincare and haircare products.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechConsumerHealthtechLongevity
Co-investorsTBD AngelsWestern Technology Investment
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
AITCAlabama APEXBirmingham City Wide (BBRC)CollaboratehealthHelpLightningIntelligent Media and Design (IMD)REDiShipshape AgWorksThe Alabama SBDCThe DALD FoundationUAB Barefield Entrepreneurship ProgramYuva Biosciences
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Techstars Ventures · techstars.com · Jul 31, 2026
Vero Skills · thesaasnews.com · Oct 30, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Innovation Depot made?
- Innovation Depot has 115 tracked investments.
- What stage does Innovation Depot invest at?
- Innovation Depot invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What sectors does Innovation Depot focus on?
- Innovation Depot focuses on PropTech, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Innovation Depot located?
- Innovation Depot is headquartered in Birmingham, US.