Get ready to experience North Alabama’s next wave of innovation at the Singing River Trail Launch Tank Pitch Competition! Held Wednesday, April 23 at the Scottsboro Civic Center, this high-energy event puts local entrepreneurs in the spotlight as they pitch bold ideas for the chance to win $20,000+ in funding. Inspired by “Shark Tank,” Launch Tank is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the power of local visionaries. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, educator, or simply curious about what’s next for our region, this is your chance to connect, be inspired, and witness innovation in action.
This special guest feature from the team at Nyad explores what it truly means to nourish a startup, a team, and a mission. Founders Virginia and Chris are tackling water pollution with AI-driven wastewater treatment, but their journey goes beyond technology—it’s about leadership, resilience, and fostering a culture of growth. From refining their vision through customer feedback to building a strong, mission-driven team, they’ve learned that success comes from continuous learning and community support. As they grow, they remain committed to nourishing innovation, leadership, and the world around them.
Today I saw a giant raccoon throw light bulbs to people at Space Camp. That’s a real sentence. Sprocket, loveable mascot of the Rocket City Trash Pandas, threw Horizon Point stress balls – made to look like light bulbs – to attendees of the 2024 Launch Tank Competition. It was a wild and wonderful moment. But let’s back up. John Kvach and his Singing River Trail team partner with LAUNCH and Innovate Alabama to host a business pitch competition for entrepreneurs in North Alabama, known as Launch Tank. “Our vision goes beyond the competition,” Kvach says. “We want to connect