The Regions Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to Innovation Portal’s TechAcademy, a business accelerator program designed to equip under-resourced entrepreneurs along the Gulf Coast with essential technological tools and resources. The grant announcement coincides with the 2024 TechAcademy Graduation, where 18 companies celebrated completing the program with networking opportunities and business pitches.
“We’re building on our investment in Innovation Portal for one key reason – this is a program that works,” said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation, which Regions Bank primarily funds. “Consider the entrepreneurs who have graduated from this program and are thriving here at home. Thanks to the tools, training, and resources provided by the Innovation Portal, they have a competitive edge that they otherwise might not have been able to attain. By supporting the TechAcademy Accelerator, we’re creating more inclusive prosperity, and the ripple effect reaches not just entrepreneurs but their employees, families, and broader communities.”
The eight-week TechAcademy program introduces entrepreneurs to critical technology tools, including cloud computing, database management, and workflow optimization. Participants also benefit from mentorship and access to strategic resources to help them overcome challenges and scale their businesses.
One success story is Morgan Crawford, founder of the Moxie League, which fosters leadership and confidence in young girls through basketball and career mentoring. “TechAcademy helped me develop my public-facing initiative, which provides a competitive and supportive environment for women to excel both on and off the court,” said Crawford, whose work was recently honored at the ESPNW Woman+Sports Summit as an “Everyday Hero.”
Bruner Binion, Mobile market executive for Regions Bank, highlighted the program’s impact on participants. “This program empowers entrepreneurs through technology that helps their companies run more smoothly,” he said. Following the graduation, Binion attended the gBeta Gulf Coast Showcase, where participants presented their business ideas.
The TechAcademy’s expansion, supported by funding from the Regions Foundation, now includes two cohorts annually, reaching more entrepreneurs across South Alabama.
“TechAcademy has become one of our most popular programs because it directly addresses the technological challenges many entrepreneurs face,” said Todd Greer, executive director of Innovation Portal. “With the support of the Regions Foundation, we’re able to help accelerate business growth in meaningful ways. As the program continues to grow, the entrepreneurs of South Alabama are better positioned to harness technology, connect with new markets, and contribute to a thriving and inclusive economy.”
