Innovate Alabama Champions Impactful Solutions in Talent Development Across the State

Birmingham, Ala. (October 7, 2025) — Innovate Alabama is investing in the state’s future talent by awarding $1 million across five organizations through its newly launched Talent Pilot Program. These awardees are pioneering innovative solutions to address Alabama’s most pressing talent challenges, with initiatives that span both rural and urban communities, while placing particular emphasis on rural spaces. 

Together, the programs represent community-driven strategies to prepare Alabama for the future of work. From precision agriculture training in the Black Belt and surrounding areas to robotics mentoring programs between engineering students and rural middle schoolers and more, the projects reflect creative approaches that connect education and future employment.  

“This pilot isn’t just about funding programs — it’s about unlocking potential,” said Shannon Allen, executive director of future talent strategies at Innovate Alabama. “We’re enabling organizations to build, test and ultimately scale models that align with Alabama’s long-term vision for innovation and economic competitiveness.” 

Talent development is one of Innovate Alabama’s core pillars, essential to building a robust pipeline of skilled individuals who can drive the state’s growing innovation economy. 

“Supporting talent in rural communities is critical to ensuring every corner of Alabama can participate in and benefit from our innovation economy,” said Secretary Greg Reed, Alabama Department of Workforce, and vice chair of the Innovate Alabama Board of Directors. “These programs give students, emerging leaders and small business owners the resources and hands-on experience they need to build successful careers and strengthen their local communities.” 

Launched in April 2025, the Innovate Alabama Talent Pilot Program provides one-year grants to recipients. This funding allows organizations to pilot, test and refine new approaches to experiential learning, creating models that can scale to meet statewide talent needs. 

Meet the Inaugural Cohort

The following organizations were selected as the first recipients of the Innovate Alabama Talent Pilot Program: 

• RK Allen Oil Co. Inc. – Talladega, AL
  • Introducing Fueling the Future, a workforce innovation pilot that blends hybrid coursework, apprenticeships, and business bootcamps to train talent for smart logistics and energy-tech careers. 
• CCB Consulting – Northport, AL
  • Launching CCB EDGE, a pilot that places undergraduate engineering interns in rural K-12 schools to mentor students, support STEM instruction and help launch robotics teams. 
• Black Diamond Ranch IV Vets – York, AL
  • Expanding “Farming in the Future,” which equips populations, such as veterans, youth and individuals with special needs, with precision agriculture, food processing and business skills. 
• Start Up Partners LLC – Birmingham, AL
  • Expanding a venture studio model to support early-stage STEM innovators, offering hands-on support in law, finance, and product development to launch 7–10 startups in partnership with Alabama universities. 
• Outpost Technologies – Huntsville, AL
  • Scaling the Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering’s Capstone Project, which offers hands-on engineering and cybersecurity coursework tied to real-world industry challenges. 

To learn more about the Innovate Alabama Talent Pilot Program or other talent development initiatives, visit https://innovatealabama.org/talent/.  

About Innovate Alabama

Innovate Alabama is Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on small businesses, technology and innovation with a mission to help innovators grow roots here in Alabama. Innovate Alabama was established to implement the initiatives and recommendations set forth in the Alabama Innovation Commission’s report, including smart policy solutions that will create a more resilient, inclusive and robust economy to remain competitive in a 21st-century world. With founding CEO Cynthia Crutchfield leading the charge, Innovate Alabama is also made up of a board of 11 innovation leaders appointed by Gov. Ivey, collaborating across sectors to advance industries, drive technology and facilitate an environment where innovation and small businesses thrive. Learn more about Innovate Alabama at www.innovatealabama.org.