Birmingham’s Innovation Depot has a brand refresh, two new programs, a mobile app for depot members and several building enhancements.
“Innovation Depot’s vision is that Birmingham will generate the highest success rate for startups of any U.S. city per capita,” CEO Drew Honeycutt said. “Right now, we’re experiencing a lot of exciting entrepreneurial energy, so we’re focused on casting a wider net to reach the founders that we know are in every part of the city. We want to make sure they are aware of the many different ways the Depot can support them on their startup journey.”
Innovation Depot recently partnered with Birmingham-based Telegraph Creative to undergo a brand transformation. The name “Innovation Depot” will remain, but the new look features a bold color palette and a tech-inspired, sleek design. The Depot will add the use of a tagline: “Where startups start up.” Additionally, the refreshed brand is informing a website redesign scheduled to go live in mid- to late February in partnership with Kinetic Communications.
“Innovation Depot is the heartbeat of Birmingham’s tech and entrepreneurial network, and our team felt that it was time to revisit the look of the Depot brand in hopes of meaningfully connecting with more individuals in our community,” said Brit Blalock, director of marketing. “We had an excellent local partner in Telegraph, and we’re extremely excited about how they’ve been able to help us translate our vision into an exciting and engaging visual identity.”
During this process, Telegraph assisted the Depot with branding for two new programs: Vision ID and Voltage. The programs join Velocity, the Depot’s existing 13-week tech accelerator.
Visions ID is a free, seven-day series of informative and interactive emails that demystify the terminology and processes around launching a startup. Participants learn the difference between a startup and a small business, as well as the basic terminology used in tech startup and entrepreneurial spaces. They’ll receive information about local resources, if they are interested in taking steps toward becoming a founder. Vision ID will launch in spring, and participants will be able to join via the Depot’s website at any time.
Voltage takes place over a nine-week period and is designed to support entrepreneurs who have an idea for a tech or tech-enabled business as they translate that idea into a prototype. This idea incubator requires no previous tech or entrepreneurship experience and will operate outside of standard working hours, so founders can explore the potential of their company without leaving the security of their 9-5 job. The first cohort of Voltage founders has been selected and will be announced soon. The program will begin on Feb. 9.
“At the Depot, we believe that every person has the potential to be an entrepreneur, so we want to provide folks with the language necessary to explore that future through Vision ID,” said Kellie Clark, director of programs. “With Voltage, we’re excited to step in and offer guidance before founders spend a large amount of their personal time and money to build a minimum-viable product. Voltage will help founders assess the feasibility and viability of their startup idea to see whether they should forge ahead with their concept, pivot or go back to the drawing board.”
Alongside the branding and programmatic updates, the Depot has launched a new member portal and mobile app through a software platform called OfficeRnD. The Innovation Depot app, which can be found in both the Apple and Android app stores, provides a streamlined experience for employees of companies based in the Depot. They can use the app to book conference rooms, pay bills, check for building updates and much more.
“As the city’s tech and entrepreneurial center-point, we strive to be early adopters of innovative software,” said Virginia Sauer, community manager. “Our new member portal and app provide a more streamlined and efficient way for each of our members to manage their Depot experience.”
Shortly after being hired to lead Innovation Depot in May 2020, Honeycutt realized that the building itself was primed for some upgrades, too.
In the past six months, the Depot added an assortment of plant life in communal areas, as well as three interconnected murals throughout the building that were created by local artists, bendy knees design. The Depot overhauled the large office area previously occupied by Knight Eady to create the Ignite co-working space. Memberships are available for $200 per month and offer various Depot perks. In the months ahead, the building will undergo renovations to the interior and roof, as well as an overhauled landscaping design for more convenient member locations to access and enjoy outside working space.
“Innovation Depot is housed in a sprawling 140,000-square-foot space that requires a great deal of maintenance and care,” Honeycutt said. “We believe that the upcoming structural and landscaping improvements as well as the new greenery and murals will make coming to work at the Depot an even more pleasant and inspiring experience for our 100-plus member companies and their employees.”
The Depot continues to look for opportunities to bring its programming and services to more Birmingham residents and will be one of the anchor tenants in the new Ramsay McCormack Building in Ensley.
“We love it when founders come to us for support, but we’re particularly excited to go out in search of more entrepreneurs in Birmingham and offer them a community of mentors, as well as a playbook for success,” Honeycutt said. “We can’t wait to help you start up.”
(Courtesy of Alabama NewsCenter)
