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TechAcademy graduates on a computer screen.

2024 TechAcademy graduation

Category: News

Full-Court Press for Success: Regions Foundation Grant Helps Empower Entrepreneurs

$100,000 grant for Innovation Portal’s TechAcademy contributes to a thriving, inclusive economy.

By Nestor Mato | November 26, 2024

Morgan Crawford is scoring big.

She was recently honored as an “Everyday Hero” at the espnW Woman+Sports Summit. The recognition celebrates people who create change and opportunity for women and girls in their communities through sports. The summit was live-streamed globally across select ESPN digital and social platforms.

Crawford is a former collegiate basketball player and assistant coach who founded the Moxie League. The organization is dedicated to fostering confidence, leadership, and teamwork in young girls through basketball mentoring and skills, as well as career mentoring.

Crawford credits Innovation Portal’s TechAcademy – an opportunity that’s supported financially by the Regions Foundation – with helping her develop her mission. The accelerator program supports Gulf Coast-region entrepreneurs from its home base in Mobile, Alabama. Cutting-edge technology training and business development support are focused on business owners who have tremendous ideas, products, or both – but perhaps lack the resources to tap into the tools or training they need to help their companies truly succeed.

The Regions Foundation, a nonprofit primarily funded by Regions Bank, announced an additional $100,000 grant to support Innovation Portal’s TechAcademy. Regions Foundation Executive Director Marta Self spoke at the 2024 TechAcademy Graduation, where 18 companies celebrated completion of the program by networking and pitching their businesses.

“We are excited to continue our support of Innovation Portal. Their incredible work helps ensure the success seen across businesses along the Gulf Coast also benefit entrepreneurs like Morgan,” said Self. “By supporting the TechAcademy Accelerator, we’re creating more inclusive prosperity in South Alabama and beyond. The ripple effect reaches not just entrepreneurs, but also their employees, families, and broader communities.”

Regions Foundation check presentation at Innovation Portal TechAcademy.

By supporting the TechAcademy Accelerator, we’re creating more inclusive prosperity in South Alabama and beyond. The ripple effect reaches not just entrepreneurs, but also their employees, families, and broader communities.
Marta Self, Regions Foundation Executive Director

TechAcademy is an eight-week program that introduces entrepreneurs to essential technology tools such as cloud computing, database management, and workflow optimization. Participants also receive mentorship and access to strategic resources aimed at helping them overcome challenges and scale their businesses.

“TechAcademy helped me develop my public-facing initiative, which provides a competitive and supportive environment for women to excel both on and off the court,” said Crawford. “The program provided us with invaluable business development guidance and connections to local partners, which have been essential in shaping our vision. The help I got has allowed me to create a supportive environment where I can help others.”

Morgan Crawford

The program provided us with invaluable business development guidance and connections to local partners, which have been essential in shaping our vision.
Morgan Crawford

Because of contributions from the Regions Foundation, Innovation Portal has expanded the program to include two cohorts, extending its reach to more entrepreneurs.

“This program empowers entrepreneurs through technology that helps their companies run more smoothly,” said Bruner Binion, Mobile market executive for Regions Bank. “As a result, business owners can spend more time leaning into their own skills and experience and building success.

Binion attended at the gBeta Showcase following the graduation where entrepreneurs presented their business ideas and networked. The gBETA Gulf Coast program was funded with tax credits provided by Regions Bank.

“It was wonderful to see the companies complete the program by pitching their businesses,” Binion added. “They are now better prepared to embark in the next stages of their business journey.”

With hundreds of companies already benefiting from Innovation Portal, the additional funding from the Regions Foundation will help ensure even more businesses can access tools and guidance through the TechAcademy program.

With the support of the Regions Foundation, we’re able to help accelerate business growth in meaningful ways.
Todd Greer, executive director of Innovation Portal

“TechAcademy has become one of our most popular programs because it directly addresses the technological challenges many entrepreneurs face. With the support of the Regions Foundation, we’re able to help accelerate business growth in meaningful ways,” said Todd Greer, executive director of Innovation Portal. “As the program continues to grow, the entrepreneurs of South Alabama are better positioned to harness technology, connect with new markets, and contribute to a thriving, inclusive economy.”

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