Alabama Innovation Commission kicks off Innovate Huntsville event – Alabama NewsCenter

The annual Innovate Huntsville event kicked off on Monday as a spotlight on the city’s innovation-focused economy, the region’s entrepreneurial resources and north Alabama’s technology and start-up ecosystem.

The virtual event opened with a panel discussion featuring members of the Alabama Innovation Commission.  Moderated by Carter Wells, HudsonAlpha’s vice president for economic development, the panel included Miller Girvin, executive vice president of innovation and entrepreneurship at the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama; Peggy Sammon, CEO of GeneCapture Inc.; and Zeke Smith, executive vice president of external affairs at Alabama Power and president of the Innovation Commission’s advisory council.

The event featured updates on the progress of the commission, and discussions about the importance of prioritizing innovation in the public and private sectors and the teamwork and collaboration needed to create sustainable policies that grow Alabama.

“The Alabama Innovation Commission is the first statewide commission devoted to entrepreneurship, innovation and technology,” Smith said. “The balance of leadership on the innovation commission has driven important discussions on how to foster a robust and inclusive economy to build the future of our state.”

To increase economic growth, the commission is focused on capitalizing on the state’s leadership in innovation to complement the entrepreneurial spirit of today’s startups.

“We have incredible companies in the state who can boost our innovation sector,” Girvin said. “The growth and knowledge of our state’s established companies, and the innovation of the emerging companies, shows there is real promise in working together.”

The commission is also closely evaluating opportunities to capitalize on Alabama’s unique benefits to build a unified, statewide brand and network to bolster recruitment efforts.

“We are looking at the entire state, our competition in the states around us, and our state’s special features, including technology,” Sammon said. “We want to turn ideas into policy that have a quick payback.”

The commission and its advisory council are emphasizing the importance of building infrastructure to propel existing and future entrepreneurs to success.

“We all have one thing in common and that is to grow and elevate Alabama,” Smith said.

Innovate Huntsville week continues with events, panels and social activities, including involvement from entrepreneurs, investors, strategic advisers and community supporters.

To register for the virtual events and participate, click here.