BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Feb. 27, 2026 – Something big is happening in Birmingham’s tech community. The Southeast’s premier pitch competition, Sloss.Tech/Ideas, is returning for its second year—this time with a major boost. TechBirmingham and the Regions Foundation have announced that the grand prize for this year’s competition will jump to $100,000 in business-development funding. That represents a 100 percent increase over last year’s top award.
The Sloss Tech/Ideas Pitch Competition, including the increased prize, is funded by a grant from the Regions Foundation. Sloss Tech and TechBirmingham are the sole sponsors and administrators of the competition.
The Regions Foundation’s focus on innovation and economic opportunity is evident through its support of the pitch competition, which is designed to give early-stage companies across the Southeast a meaningful platform to showcase their solutions. The competition supports emerging ideas in agtech and foodtech; healthtech and biotech; emerging tech; and a new category for 2026—talent and productivity tech.
The inaugural Sloss.Tech/Ideas was a huge success, and we’re excited to bring it back bigger and better in 2026.Deon Gordon, President and CEO of TechBirmingham
WINK Therapeutics claimed the top prize at the inaugural Sloss.Tech/Ideas pitch competition in 2025, funded by support from the Regions Foundation.
Deon Gordon, President and CEO of TechBirmingham, said last year’s event set the stage for this year’s expansion. “The inaugural Sloss.Tech/Ideas was a huge success, and we’re excited to bring it back bigger and better in 2026.”
“This isn’t just a pitch competition; it’s a catalyst for real, measurable growth for each startup that participates,” Gordon added. “100 percent of our 2025 finalists met at least one investor, partner, mentor, or customer they planned to follow up with after the conference. We’re opening doors for the right conversations with the right people to happen.”
How the Opportunity is Growing for Founders
This year’s final pitch event for the competition will feature 16 promising startups—four in each of the four key technology sectors. In addition to the $100,000 grand prize, three category winners will earn $10,000 each, and attendees will help select one $5,000 People’s Choice Award prize winner.
But the investment goes beyond the prize money. The Regions Foundation will also fund operational expenses for Sloss.Tech/Ideas and serve as a liaison for all finalists, helping facilitate small-business credit education and strategic planning support.
When founders have access to capital, mentorship, and community, it accelerates innovation and strengthens the local economies we’re committed to serving.Marta Self, Executive Director of the Regions Foundation
Founders from four tech sectors—including a new talent and productivity category—will compete before judges as part of the 16-startup finalist field at Sloss.Tech/Ideas.
“The Regions Foundation is proud to collaborate with TechBirmingham to fund this year’s Sloss.Tech/Ideas competition and support entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of the Southeast,” said Marta Self, Executive Director of the Regions Foundation. “When founders have access to capital, mentorship, and community, it accelerates innovation and strengthens the local economies we’re committed to serving.”
Applications are open through April 10 for startups across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Eligibility requirements ensure the competition supports early-stage companies that
- have not yet commercially launched before January 2021,
- maintain majority founder ownership, and
- have raised no more than $5 million to date.
Each finalist presenting company will receive meaningful support, including two VIP passes for Sloss Tech 2026, a travel stipend, coaching sessions, and participation in the conference’s Startup Showcase.
WBRC Fox6’s Good Day Alabama hosted Marta Self and Deon Gordon as they revealed the expanded prize structure for Sloss.Tech/Ideas powered by the Regions Foundation.
What This Means for the Region
Sloss Tech has long been a place where founders, investors, developers, and tech enthusiasts connect. Founded in 2016, it has grown into Alabama’s signature tech event. Gordon says this growth is intentional.
“Sloss Tech began as a one-day gathering a decade ago and today, it’s a can’t-miss tech event that brings together the brightest minds, Gordon added. “Thanks to the support of our partners, we expand every year and create even more opportunities for founders and funders to connect with each other and with the growing tech scene here in Alabama. Sloss Tech is the intersection of Southern hospitality and inclusive innovation, and we’re excited to turn up the heat even more in 2026.”
The three-day Sloss Tech conference begins Wednesday, June 24, with Sloss.Tech/Ideas kicking off the event for an audience expected to surpass 1,000 attendees. As demand grows, so does Birmingham’s profile as a hub for technology and entrepreneurship.
For more information or to apply for the Sloss.Tech/Ideas Pitch Competition funded by a grant from the Regions Foundation, visit sloss.tech.
About TechBirmingham
TechBirmingham is a community of tech and tech-adjacent organizations, groups, and individuals invested in a common mission: establishing Birmingham as the most innovative and inclusive technology ecosystem in the South. Through its diverse programming and community initiatives, TechBirmingham strengthens and promotes the ecosystem and its tech companies helps to recruit and retain tech talent and entrepreneurs, and provides educational opportunities. Find out more information at www.techbirmingham.com or on LinkedIn.
About the Regions Foundation
The Alabama-based Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank. To learn more about the Regions Foundation visit www.regions.com/foundation.