October 22, 2025 · Innovators

Meet the Founder: Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Recipients

As part of Innovate Alabama’s mission to support high-growth, high-impact startups across the state, the SBIR/STTR Supplemental Grant Program provides matching funds to Alabama companies that have received federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards.

In the most recent round of funding, Innovate Alabama awarded $3.3 million to 20 companies across the state. These founders are building the future — right here in Alabama.

Get to know them in our “Meet the Founders” Q&A series.

Company: KODA Technologies, Inc.
Founder(s): Julie Schumacher, Dave Conrad
City: Huntsville, AL

Q&A with Julie Schumacher, KODA Technologies

1. In simple terms, what does your company do?
KODA is an engineering and analytics company focused on advanced defense and space systems. We help design, test and integrate complex technologies, from radar and missile systems to hypersonics and space tracking platforms. What sets us apart is our end-to-end experience. Our team includes engineers who have led flight tests, built sensors and managed major defense programs. We have been in our customers’ shoes, and that perspective shapes everything we do. The word “KODA” means “ally,” and we take that seriously. We work side by side with our partners to solve tough national security challenges with precision and purpose.

2. Why are you building and growing your business in Alabama?
We’re building KODA in Alabama because of the strong sense of community, the growing tech ecosystem and the depth of talent here. North Alabama is home to exceptional professionals in engineering and technology, and the state offers a supportive environment for businesses like ours. From innovation hubs to university partnerships and government incentives, the resources are here. Alabama also gives us the space to grow our culture of trust, transparency and shared purpose. In 2023, we were proud to be named the #11 Fortune Best Small Workplace in the country and #1 in Alabama.

3. Tell us about a recent success that you’re particularly proud of.
We’re especially proud of our work on MACH-TB, the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed. This Department of Defense program is creating an affordable, reusable platform to test hypersonic systems in flight before full integration into weapon programs. Led by Kratos in Birmingham, the effort includes partners like Leidos, Rocket Lab and Stratolaunch. KODA is a key subcontractor, providing systems engineering, integration, mission planning and launch support. This project shows how small businesses like ours can deliver real value on complex national security efforts and play a direct role in advancing hypersonic capabilities.

4. How will the Innovate Alabama SBIR/STTR matching funds help your company?
The Innovate Alabama SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program is a major boost for our work on AS²AP, the Accelerated Satellite Situational Awareness Platform. This project began with an Air Force Phase I SBIR in partnership with Purdue University and focuses on tracking hard-to-detect objects in space, including maneuverable satellites and those operating in cislunar space. The matching funds provide non-dilutive capital, allowing us to strengthen our R&D without giving up equity. We’re using the support to invest in advanced simulation tools and computational resources that help us refine AS²AP and improve its value for the Department of Defense and major OEMs.

5. What’s next for your business?
We plan to increase our technology efforts and IP, increase our revenues significantly over the next 3-5 years, and grow our solutions efforts as a percentage of our business.