October 30, 2025 · Stories, Talent
Meet the Next Generation of Innovators Shaping Alabama’s Economy
With the fall semester in full swing, we’re celebrating the next generation of innovators driving Alabama’s economy forward. Supported by Innovate Alabama, internship programs across the state are connecting students to real-world experience and career pathways that inspire them to build their futures here in Alabama.
Here’s a look at four standout interns Who have made their mark in Alabama:
Munachimso Arubaleze – Huntsville | gener8tor
Munachimso, a mechanical engineering student at Alabama A&M, interned with gener8tor at the HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator in spring 2025. He worked on recruiting startups, analyzing founder data and learning how venture capital firms evaluate opportunities.
“I learned how to interact in a professional space and how to communicate with managers and teams. As an intern, I had the room to make mistakes and learn from them, which made me more confident moving forward.”
He said the experience also changed how he views his career path.
“I realized you do not have to be boxed into your degree. I met many founders who studied mechanical engineering but went on to launch companies. That opened my eyes to possibilities I had not considered before.”
William Starling – Mobile | QuantHub Internship
William spent his summer at Innovation Portal through QuantHub, working on the Innovative Data Language Explorer. The tool is designed to help startups and nonprofits save time on research. Guided by mentors like tech innovator and Mobile native Paul Lockett, he gained hands-on experience in project development, data tools and team collaboration.
Having attended Sloss Tech, William also got the chance to connect with innovators statewide and see the industry firsthand.
“Being at Sloss Tech gave me a real look into what it is like to work in this industry. I left with skills, connections and experiences I will carry forward.”
He said the highlight was seeing innovation in action at both Innovation Portal and events like Sloss Tech. The internship showed him how startups, mentors and community resources come together to support growth in Alabama.
Noah Wilson – Harvest | LunarLab Benefit
Noah joined the 2025 Alabama Data Scholars program, powered by QuantHub and Innovate Alabama, and worked remotely with LunarLab Benefit LLC, a UX design and product strategy firm in Birmingham. He helped design dashboards, maintain B corporation certification and build skills in UX/UI, workflow automation and data visualization tools.
“I came in with no experience in programming or data science. Now I see it is not unattainable, and I realize how much opportunity we have in the state.”
He also pointed to the mentorship he received. Shadowing client calls and participating in development sessions gave him confidence in his ability to pursue a career in Alabama’s tech sector.
Kristin Taylor – Birmingham | Alabama Business Intelligence Center
Kristin, an Alabama A&M student from Illinois, joined the EDPA HBCU Innovation Internship program last year and was placed with the Alabama Business Intelligence Center. She researched drywall supply chains, mapped vacant industrial land in Birmingham and presented her findings to the Birmingham Port Authority Council.
She described the experience as her most impactful internship yet. Connecting her skills to real-world economic development and presenting to local leaders built her confidence and gave her a stronger sense of direction.
“With EDPA, I was trusted to be a self-researcher and apply my degree in real ways. It gave me autonomy, pushed me to think bigger and helped me grow as a professional.”
These interns represent the next generation of talent in Alabama. From urban centers to rural towns, they are gaining skills, building networks and contributing to the state’s future economy. Innovate Alabama is proud to support their journeys and looks forward to the impact they will continue to make.
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