Baldwin County Alabama Economic Development Alliance | BCEDA

Fairhope, Ala. – Hatch, Baldwin County’s technology village and entrepreneurial support hub, based in Fairhope, Alabama, proudly unveils its latest strategic move into the field of medical technology (medtech) through its exciting launch of the Hatch Powered by Bessel accelerator program.

Hatch is beginning a transformative program designed for medtech startups to create breakthrough healthcare innovations. This cohort program is in partnership with Bessel, an impact accelerator for medtech startups and teams. Bessel brings its expertise in delivering health and wellness breakthroughs through design thinking, agile teamwork, and medical device development. The Powered by Bessel curriculum is designed to connect medtech startups with experienced medical device entrepreneurs to propel strategy, fundraising, and execution.

The 10-week Hatch Powered by Bessel accelerator program will be held in Fairhope and offers a unique blend of in-person events, expert mentorship by industry veterans, and specialized workshops and consulting. Medtech startups will be equipped with tools, stipends for travel expenses, and funding opportunities. Participating startups will receive funding for an equity stake, culminating in a demo day where they will pitch to investors. Together, Hatch Powered by Bessel will equip and empower medtech startups for sustainable growth.

Hatch’s partnerships, coupled with Baldwin County’s vibrant community, are positioning Hatch to foster innovation in the medtech sector. “Hatch benefits from several local partnerships, and now we can enter the medtech arena through our partnership with Bessel,” said Keith Glines, The Experience Architect and Creative Director of Hatch. “Baldwin County is such an innovation-rich ecosystem. The vibrant economy, job growth, and access to significant medical and academic resources position Hatch Powered by Bessel for success.”

Hatch will debut their medtech accelerator program at the Life Science Intelligence (LSI) USA Conference in Dana Point, California. The emerging medtech summit will be held March 18-22 and will reach leading firms, innovators, startups, and other movers and shakers in the medtech industry.

Hatch is a business hub that provides facilities and resources for technology-based entrepreneurs to learn and grow their businesses in Baldwin County. Hatch is funded by the Coastal Alabama Community College, The City of Fairhope, and the Baldwin Community + Economic Development Foundation (BCEDF). The BCEDF is a member of the Innovate Alabama Network, which positions Hatch as one of the state’s leaders in nurturing Alabama’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Hatch’s new home at the former Fairhope K-1 Center in downtown Fairhope is currently under construction and is expected to be operational in 2026. Find out more at HatchFairhope.com.

Baldwin County, Ala. – The Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance (BCEDA) announced today its groundbreaking talent campaign, “Belong in Baldwin.”

This initiative is designed to spotlight the wealth of opportunities and unparalleled lifestyle that Baldwin County offers to interns and working professionals, establishing it as the nation’s premier destination for talent.

As the 7th fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States, Baldwin County is experiencing unprecedented expansion, and “Belong in Baldwin” aims to harness this momentum by connecting with talented individuals nationwide. The campaign is centered on guiding professionals through the decision-making process, linking them to diverse opportunities, and providing vital resources for organizations seeking to attract and develop top-tier talent.

With a focus on cultivating a county-wide culture that champions the development of young talent, offers competitive opportunities, and continuously evolves to attract and retain best-in-class professionals, “Belong in Baldwin” is set to revolutionize the landscape of existing and incoming talent in the region.

“With the recent infusion of major industries and investment entering the market, the potential for students and young talent to both make a home and an impact in Baldwin County is greater than ever,” BCEDA President Lee Lawson said. “It is through talent attraction and development that industries thrive, creating a dynamic ecosystem where innovation flourishes, businesses expand and the foundation for lasting success is laid.”

BCEDA invites professionals, organizations, and talent seekers alike to explore the possibilities that “Belong in Baldwin” has to offer. Join us on this exciting journey as we continue to build a thriving community, foster career growth, and establish Baldwin County as the destination where professionals truly belong. Find out more at BelongInBaldwin.com.

About BCEDA
The Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance is a partnership of local public and private professionals, leaders, and officials dedicated to providing opportunities for businesses in Baldwin County, growing and improving the county’s economy, and ensuring exceptional quality of life for Baldwin County’s residents and employees. Our organization focuses on growing a diverse industry base through business development endeavors that will ultimately create jobs, generate capital investment, and increase the quality of life in our area. The Alliance’s strategic efforts include marketing, business recruitment, workforce development, state and local government affairs, data-driven research, existing industry support, and entrepreneurial assistance.

Fairhope, Ala. – Innovate Alabama has admitted the Baldwin Community + Economic Development Foundation (BCEDF) into their Innovate Alabama Network and granted it $250,000 in support of Hatch. Hatch is Baldwin County’s technology village and entrepreneurial support hub, based in Fairhope, Alabama, and developed to support and grow the technology-based entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.

The BCEDF, a nonprofit under the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance (BCEDA), has partnered with the City of Fairhope, Coastal Alabama Community College, and other entities to develop Hatch, currently located in the PNC Bank building in downtown Fairhope. Hatch will relocate to the historical Fairhope K-1 Center building in downtown Fairhope after renovations are completed in the 2025 timeframe. Hatch provides office space, co-working space, access to funding, programming, consulting, networking, and other resources for technology-based entrepreneurs to start and scale their businesses.

The $250,000 awarded for Hatch will help fund two 8- to 10-week biotech programs to bolster biotechnology growth in Alabama and pave the way for innovation internships. Participating firms will receive $20,000 in funding (half upfront and half upon completion) for a 5% equity stake, culminating in a demo day where they will pitch to investors. This initiative, which includes partnering with a national researcher at Hatch, aims to boost Alabama’s innovation economy, benefiting the state’s tech advancements and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Innovate Alabama Network selected the BCEDF among 51 applicants pursuing technology-related projects in Alabama. Lee Lawson, the President & CEO of the BCEDA, said he was proud that Hatch was noted for its innovation. “The Baldwin Community + Economic Development Foundation being added to the Innovate Alabama Network shows that Hatch, along with the Innovation Portal in Mobile, Alabama, are the two go-to entities in South Alabama for innovation,” said Lawson.

The Innovate Alabama Network is a comprehensive resource connecting communities, nonprofits, and higher education institutions across the state that foster innovation in their backyard. Through this designation program, Innovate Alabama recognizes those shaping the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, investing in these organizations to drive innovation-related activities, and encouraging collaboration and growth amongst the network’s members. “The Innovate Alabama Network is a major step forward to growing the entrepreneurial and innovation environment in Alabama,” said Innovate Alabama CEO Cynthia Crutchfield. “By providing funding and resources to our local communities, nonprofits, and higher education institutions, we are developing a statewide network for innovation programming and catalyzing entrepreneurship in all of our communities, both rural and urban.”

The BCEDF is housed under the BCEDA and contributes to initiatives that strive to develop the economy in Baldwin County. The BCEDA is a partnership of local public and private professionals, leaders, and officials dedicated to providing opportunities for businesses in Baldwin County and ensuring exceptional quality of life for Baldwin County’s residents and employees. The organization focuses on growing a diverse industry base through efforts to create jobs, generate capital investment, and increase the quality of life in its community. The Alliance’s strategic efforts include marketing, business recruitment, workforce development, talent attraction and development, state and local government affairs, data-driven research, existing industry support, and entrepreneurial assistance.