MOBILE, Ala. – The Mobile Area Chamber Foundation has been admitted into the Innovate Alabama Network.

The foundation was awarded $20,000, which will be used to support programs, training and networking events to help small businesses and entrepreneurs in our area.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Innovate Alabama Network,” said Bradley Byrne, president and CEO of the Mobile Chamber. “This significant achievement underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs in Mobile.”

This is the second round of designees of the Innovate Alabama Network, which serves as a comprehensive resource that connects communities, nonprofits and higher education institutions across the state who are fostering innovation in their own backyard. The Mobile Chamber Foundation is now one of the 113 Innovate Alabama Network designees in the state.

Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama said, “The program has become extremely competitive in this second round, with record-breaking engagement. As we continue to expand the Innovate Alabama Network, we’re eager to build on this momentum and create more resources that help foster connections among the designees.”

“As a leading advocate for the local business community, the Chamber Foundation collaborates with the Mobile Chamber to continually evaluate the needs of business owners and entrepreneurs, and to create innovative solutions to support them. This grant will be used to fund programs and services developed in response to feedback received, such as strategies to enhance and modernize business operations,” said Mobile Area Chamber Foundation Chairman Frank Lott III.

Through this designation program, Innovate Alabama recognizes those who are shaping the state’s ecosystem.

The program aims to catalyze innovation throughout the state by:

• Increasing innovation-related activities in local communities
• Creating a broader network of innovation-related programming and assets in urban and rural areas
• Providing access to innovation-related seed funding for localities and communities
• Encouraging partnership and coordination among partners

The Mobile Chamber Foundation also serves as one of Innovate Alabama’s technical assistants for the State Small Business Credit Initiative, which will administer $97 million in funding to Alabama small businesses, creating opportunities for growth for businesses across the state.

To learn more about the Innovate Alabama Network, visit https://innovatealabama.org/programs/innovate-alabama-network.

To learn more about local opportunities, visit MobileChamber.com.