MOBILE, Ala. – The Regions Foundation and the Innovation Portal announced the launch of an innovative opportunity designed to help female and minority business owners in the Mobile area grow their businesses through technology support.

TechAcademy focuses on how under-represented entrepreneurs can address technology-related challenges through the guidance of Innovation Portal’s team of staff and mentors. Technology can be leveraged as a tremendous resource for future business growth.

The big picture: Innovation Portal’s latest TechAcademy Accelerator Program, financially supported by the Regions Foundation, is now accepting applications through Friday, August 18.

This tuition-free program will provide qualified entrepreneurs selected by Innovation Portal with a high-impact, eight-week course designed to help their companies grow through customized technology coaching and support. In addition, entrepreneurs will receive three months of community membership at Innovation Portal’s Mobile facility.

From those Mobile-area entrepreneurs, five will be selected by Innovation Portal for up to $5,000 in direct technology funding to help expedite the growth of their business ventures.

To apply for the upcoming TechAcademy program, business owners are encouraged to visit: https://tinyurl.com/RFTechAcademy.

The bottom line: This program seeks to promote inclusive prosperity and economic development in the community through technology support.

What they’re saying:

To understand the impact TechAcademy has had on program alumni, consider the story of Dr. Valencia Belle.

“I am forever indebted to TechAcademy for making local experts in the Gulf Coast tech ecosystem available to startups,” said Dr. Belle, founder of S.C.H.O.O.L.S., which prepares students for standardized tests by providing achievement-building activities. “Having access to free world-class tech help with a global perspective for scaling from my participation in TechAcademy was a hidden gem.”

“Businesses across the Gulf Coast are thriving, and we have an incredible opportunity to ensure this success is also benefiting entrepreneurs who have historically been under-represented,” said Regions Foundation Executive Director Marta Self. “By supporting the TechAcademy Accelerator at Innovation Portal, we can help create more inclusive prosperity in Mobile and beyond. And as more businesses succeed, the entire community benefits through greater economic development and a stronger quality of life for entrepreneurs, their employees, and their families.”

Executive Director of Innovation Portal Todd Greer said, “The TechAcademy has become one of our most popular programs at Innovation Portal as it meets many of our entrepreneurs where the problem directly resides: technology. With the community partnership of the Regions Foundation, we are able to accelerate entrepreneurial growth by aligning funding and direct support to help entrepreneurs with building a stronger venture.”

The Regions Foundation is a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank and provides grants to a range of organizations supporting education and workforce readiness, as well as economic development, community development and financial wellness. The Regions Foundation also presented Innovation Portal with a $50,000 grant to support this latest TechAcademy program.