Bronze Valley

Bronze Valley is a non-profit organization which focuses on helping underrepresented groups access technology-centered business opportunities through business accelerator programs and venture capital investments. The organization, led by president and CEO Neill Wright, held its first conference in March 2018, and made its first venture capital investment in Mixtroz that November.

Bronze Valley has been certified by the U.S. Treasury Department as a community development financial institution (CDFI) through the Appalachian Community Capital Development Foundation, enabling it to access public and private investments under the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 and the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. Major supporters of Bronze Valley include the Alabama Power Company, Alabama Power Foundation, Alabama Department of Commerce, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Regions Bank, Valley Bank, and Wells Fargo.

Bronze Valley works with Gener8or of Madison, Wisconsin to operate its Bronze Valley Investment Accelerator program, with Allison Swagler as managing director. In 2023 Bronze Valley launched a second "pre-accelerator" program in Dover, Delaware in partnership with Gener8tor and Delaware State University.

Supported businesses

As of August 2023, Bronze Valley claimed to have invested in 31 companies which together generated more than $55 million in revenues and employed 370 people.

Acclinate Genetics Athlytic Babypalooza Brevity City Detect Cyber Pop-Up Employee Cycle Film Connx Fledging Freeing Returns Global Action Alliance

Glow GRIND Grovara Joonko Major Care Mixtroz Myles Comfort Foods Oben Health PeopleJoy Prep Intel Productions.com

PromoShare Pye Rex Academy Smart Alto Stimulus Sweft TurnSignl Upkey Welcomed Co Wildwonder WorkTalo

References

• Mulligan, Ryan (April 23, 2023) "Alabama startup accelerator launching in Delaware for underrepresented founders" Philadelphia Business Journal / Birmingham Business Journal
• Thrailkill, Laurel (May 23, 2023) "Spring 2023 Bronze Valley VentureLab cohort named." Birmingham Business Journal
• Thrailkill, Laurel (October 25, 2023) "Swagler steps down at VFA, takes role at local accelerator." Birmingham Business Journal

External links

• Bronze Valley website