SSR - March 13, 2026

Across the Southeast this week, startup momentum continues to build as early-stage companies raise fresh capital, AI startups expand across startup hubs, and founders prepare to pitch investors at venture events throughout the region.

Recent data from the NVCA Venture Monitor shows venture investment increasingly flowing beyond traditional coastal hubs, with emerging startup ecosystems across the South attracting growing investor attention. This shift is creating new opportunities for founders to raise capital closer to home while helping the region attract more venture investment and tech talent.

New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) is taking place across the city this week, bringing together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders for a series of events celebrating entrepreneurship across the Gulf South, with a full recap coming in next week’s edition. Meanwhile, new investment activity is continuing to build momentum in the city’s bioscience sector, as the Community Development Venture Capital Alliance (CDVCA) and the New Orleans BioFund recently co-invested to advance bioscience innovation and economic opportunity in New Orleans. The funds participated in the seed round for Informuta, an AI-powered infectious disease diagnostics company working to combat antibiotic resistance and improve treatment outcomes for hospital-acquired infections, and also invested in Beken Bio, a biotechnology startup developing a blood-based diagnostic test for early ovarian cancer detection that will relocate its operations from San Diego to New Orleans and establish its clinical and commercialization hub at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center.

Alabama

Birmingham-based startup Nyad raised $1.3 million in pre-seed funding to expand its AI-powered platform that helps wastewater operators monitor treatment plants and prevent costly system failures, a growing area of infrastructure tech innovation. Meanwhile, venture firm Halogen Ventures announced new investments in Alabama startups, highlighting continued national investor interest in the state’s emerging tech ecosystem and early-stage pipeline. On the workforce front, Fuel Alabama (FuelAL) selected 11 host communities for its 2026 summer program, connecting college students and interns with Alabama industries through mentorship, executive roundtables, and networking designed to strengthen long-term talent retention across the state.

Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas continues to see new startup activity with programs like HealthCatalyst NWA, which is working to connect early-stage companies with healthcare providers to pilot solutions addressing public health, behavioral health, and community wellbeing. The initiative reflects continued efforts across the region to strengthen partnerships between startups, healthcare systems, and community organizations while expanding opportunities for founders building in health innovation and applied technology.

Florida

Miami-based tax automation startup Remitian raised $7 million to simplify the final steps of tax filing for businesses navigating complex compliance workflows. In sports tech, a Miami startup building infrastructure for the fast-growing padel market secured $9 million to support the sport’s rapid growth in the United States. Meanwhile, sleep tech company Eight Sleep raised $50 million at a $1.5 billion valuation to develop AI systems that predict and optimize sleep conditions in real time. Fintech infrastructure startup Cyclops also raised $8 million to simplify stablecoin payments for companies integrating digital currencies into global payment systems.

  Georgia

Healthtech company Rimidi, which develops clinical decision-support tools for chronic disease management, was acquired by Health Recovery Solutions, highlighting continued consolidation across the digital health sector and Atlanta’s growing role in healthcare innovation. Meanwhile, Atlanta startup Huper AI announced the addition of its first chief of staff as the company scales its AI-powered knowledge management platform for enterprise teams. And, congratulations to Huper, an AI startup that completed a $1.5 million pre-seed financing round. 

Mississippi

Mississippi’s startup ecosystem will be well represented at the 3rd Coast Venture Summit taking place March 10–12, connecting founders with investors and partners from across the Gulf South. Companies attending from Mississippi include Hand Technologies, Altude, Spintecx, VTO Reading, and CardFlow Financial, with several participating in the event’s pre-seed showcase and investor pitch sessions. The Innovate Mississippi team will also be on site facilitating connections and helping founders engage directly with venture capital and regional funding partners.

North Carolina

Entrepreneurs across North Carolina can now apply to compete in the Startup Showdown, a statewide pitch competition offering up to $30,000 in startup funding along with mentorship and training through the Small Business Center Network. Applications opened March 1 and run through April 7, with finalists receiving coaching and the opportunity to pitch their ventures at a statewide event later this year.

South Carolina

South Carolina’s early-stage innovation pipeline continues to grow as SC Launch announced a $400,000 investment in Columbia-based QWERKY AI, a startup developing faster and more cost-efficient enterprise AI systems designed to compete with traditional large language models. The investment reflects ongoing efforts by the South Carolina Research Authority to support emerging technology companies and accelerate commercialization across the state.

Tennessee

Seven standout startups will take the stage at the 2026 What’s the Big Idea Finale in Knoxville, pitching solutions that range from accessible kitchen design and AI-powered hospital procurement to PFAS water filtration, smart athletic apparel, fintech for self-employed workers, hydrofoil bikes, and personalized AI wellness coaching. Finalists include PrepSolo, VeriQual, VACScore, WearReady Tech, Aquafer Technologies, SUBI LLC, and ZestyCoach, with one company set to take home the $10,000 grand prize at the March 22 event.