The 2019 Auburn Regional Alabama Launchpad competition is under way. Nine startups from Lee, Chambers, Macon, Russell and Tallapoosa counties have been selected to compete for up to $50,000 in prize money.

This year marks the second annual Auburn Regional Alabama Launchpad, which is a collaborative effort between the City of Auburn, Auburn University’s Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. The competition encourages economic development and innovation across the five-county region by inviting entrepreneurs to create new ideas and ventures that have a positive impact on Alabama.

“We’re excited for this year’s Regional Launchpad submissions and the potential for these startups to contribute to economic development and job creation in East Alabama,” said Lou Bifano, director of entrepreneurship strategy at the Harbert College of Business. “Each of the partnering organizations are committed to supporting promising startups by providing the resources and early-stage funding to support their efforts.”

Competing teams include:

• CryoXcel, Auburn – A rejuvenating cold-therapy product
• Flashtract, Auburn – A construction billing and payment workflow automation application
• Generational Systems, Auburn – A complete, affordable metal 3D printing solution
• Levers, Tuskegee – A life management application
• Snippety Snap, Auburn – A public camera-phone stand and mobile application
• Preggo Light, Tuskegee – A light that attaches to the hood of a vehicle to alert motorists of a pregnancy emergency
• VentorLux, Phenix City – An air sterilizer that prevents infections that originate within hospitals
• Proximity Biosciences LLC, Auburn – An anti-obesity and diabetes drug treatment
• Xpert Aerial, Chambers County – An aerial data acquisition service

The next step of the competition will include a pitch event at the Courtyard Marriott in Auburn on Monday, Feb. 11, at 12:30 p.m. Each team will have 10 minutes to pitch its business to a panel of industry professionals and 10 minutes for a Q&A session. The judges will then select teams to advance and compete for prize money in the final round of the competition on March 27.

“The City of Auburn is proud to introduce such a wide range of startups to the community, from software development to 3D printing technologies,” said Phillip Dunlap, the City’s Economic Development director. “I encourage everybody to experience these prime examples of innovation in Auburn at the pitch event and learn about the startups, which are looking for partnerships in our community.”

The public is invited to attend both events where they will have a chance to learn more about and interact with participating teams. To learn more about the competition and keep up with upcoming events, follow Auburn Regional Alabama Launchpad on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram (@auburn_launchpad) and Twitter (@auburnlaunchpad). For more information about the statewide Alabama Launchpad program, visit alabamalaunchpad.com.