Alabama Capital Network

Alabama Capital Network (ACN) works with business incubators, accelerators, and university tech transfer offices to coordinate resources related to coaching and supporting startup companies. This includes coaching around business plan development, fundraising, finding early customers, tweaking sales & marketing strategies, and more. ACN focuses on helping these companies develop to a position of maturity where they can raise additional funding to support scalable growth

ACN works with the best startups it identifies to make connections to corporations that may become customers, investors, or supply chain partners. This has already resulted in numerous contracts being achieved by the startups, which furthers their growth as a company. This has been particularly impactful where ACN works with startups in rural areas and connects them to larger corporations in larger cities that might otherwise not be accessible.

ACN evaluates over 350 startup pitch presentations each year. These come from pitch competitions, university programs, incubator residents, conferences, university programs, and unsolicited pitches being submitted on the ACN website. Wherever possible, ACN provides feedback to each startup relating to how they can best grow their company and improve the likelihood of receiving funding. The best of these companies are then presented in regular Showcase events similar to the TV show Shark Tank, where investors in the audience may opt to invest in the companies presenting. ACN does not make investment recommendations, but instead focuses on making introductions and connections that support the entrepreneurs.