Auburn University senior Joseph Rusk helped turn The BreadBoard Company’s mission of making robotics and electronics less overwhelming for young learners into a $75,000 nondilutive funding award through the Alabama Launchpad Cycle 1 2026 Technology Track competition.
Through The BreadBoard Company, Rusk created hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) kits that pair Lego-style instruction with video tutorials to help students learn robotics and electronics without feeling overwhelmed.
Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) in partnership with Innovate Alabama, selected Rusk and The BreadBoard Company as the winner of its Cycle 1 2026 Technology Track competition. The award includes $75,000 in nondilutive funding along with mentorship opportunities and exposure to Alabama’s investor and startup network.
“Winning Alabama Launchpad is truly life changing,” said Rusk. “This award gives me the opportunity to turn my idea into a successful business. We are now able to move into the next stage of launching our product, which would have been far more difficult without this award. We are incredibly excited for what’s ahead for The BreadBoard Company.”
Other companies in the competition included Apex Integrated Solutions of Huntsville, Liberty Limbs, LLC of Birmingham, Scoutz of Birmingham and Surge People Partners of Madison.
The finalists pitched their companies to a panel of judges that included Lindsay Barnes, Nate Schmidt and Ian Hoppe.
“The incredible level of talent, creativity, and passion showed through in this vertical,” said Barnes.
Alabama Launchpad was established in 2006 and describes itself as the state’s most active early-stage seed fund investor. According to the organization, the program has invested more than $6.6 million into more than 120 startups, helping create more than 1,600 jobs and generating more than $1 billion in estimated valuation.
Applications for Alabama Launchpad Cycle 2 2026 are now open. The priority deadline to apply is July 1, while the final application deadline is Aug. 13.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
