skip to Main Content

The Alabama Venture Club

Join The Alabama Venture Club Today!

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Our membership meetings feature compelling speakers selected for their expertise in various areas of venture capital and economic development. They also offer exceptional opportunities for networking before and after the program.

MEMBERSHIP MIXERS

The Alabama Venture Club’s evening-networking events are complimentary for members and held in conjunction with one or more of our partner organizations.

MISSION

Our Mission

  • To provide a forum for members and others to freely exchange experiences and opinions-promoting a deeper understanding of venture capitalist’s functions, its management, and its role in developing growth-oriented businesses.
  • To foster, and support, absolute standards of service and integrity by venture capitalists.
  • To promote the art and science of venture capital-educating members, the public and governmental authorities in the advancement, improvement and uses of venture capital.
  • To maintain close, cooperative relationships with local and regional Venture Capitalist groups.
  • To undertake any other functions that will further advance the value of our organization to its members, the business community and our community as a whole.

MISSION

Our Approach

If a city’s business climate can be measured by the strength of its venture capital community, no organization has had a stronger impact on Birmingham’s business climate since 1985 than the Alabama Venture Club. AVC has encouraged local entrepreneurial investment and success by:

  • Supporting committed entrepreneurs through education-in areas ranging from the benefits of venture capital to business planning and growth management.
  • Facilitating information-sharing and relationship-development opportunities among investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals serving those groups.
  • Stimulating investment capital for ventures developed in the Birmingham community.
  • It’s no secret that small business drives our economy-while new business drive growth and innovation for our future. What’s not as well known is the Alabama Venture Club’s pivotal role in driving our region’s entrepreneurial spirit.
  • We play an integral role in Birmingham’s entrepreneurial culture by providing our members (primarily venture capitalists and the professionals who support them) open lines for access to, and exchange of, everything from ideas and information to financial and human capital. An important part of our mission is the encouragement of high standards among venture capitalists, both in service and conduct, and promotion of the art & science of venture capital. Toward that end, we provide a wealth of resources to educate our members—as well as the public and governmental authorities—in the advancement and uses of venture capital.

ANNUAL MEETING

The Alabama Venture Club’s Annual Meeting is the state’s largest gathering of venture capitalists—as well as their related network of entrepreneurs, professional services firms and others—in Alabama. The event offers an unmatched networking opportunity for individuals and organizations seeking to strengthen their presence among high-growth entrepreneurs, investors, and influencers.

If you’re interested in being an annual meeting sponsor, please contact our administrative offices for more information.

JEMISON AWARD

“The Alabama Venture Club’s Jemison Award program recognizes today’s high growth, high value entrepreneurs while honoring the legacy of Mr. Jemison and other venture capital trailblazers.”

James Outland, Past Chairman
Jemison Award Selection Committee

Now in its 33rd year, the Jemison Award is Alabama’s most prestigious honor recognizing high quality, fast-growth companies based in the Birmingham area.

2021 PackHealth (WINNER) Nominated by Michael Kassouf, Kassouf & Co.
2019 ProctorU (WINNER) Nominated by Stuart Maxey, Bradley
2019 NXTsoft Nominated by Gene Price, Burr Forman
2019 Illumicare Nominated by Stephen Bennett, Stonehenge Capital
2018 Theranest (WINNER) Nominated by Devon Laney, Innovation Depot
2018 ProctorU Nominated by Benjamin Cobb, Eastside Partners
2018 Southern Veterinary Partners Nominated by Lacey Bacchus, Southern Veterinary Partners
2017 Momentum Telecom (WINNER) Nominated by Stuart Maxey, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
2017 Hospicelink Nominated by Steve Davis, Stonehenge Growth Capital
2017 Shipt Nominated by Jeff Smith, Harbert Growth Partners
2016 BLOX (WINNER)
2016 Momentum Telecom Nominated by Stuart Maxey, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
2016 Shipt Nominated by Zane Tarence, Founders Investment Bank
2015 Atlas RFID Solutions, LLC. (WINNER)
2015 Free Textbooks Nominated by Devon Laney, Innovation Depot
2015 Momentum Telecom Nominated by Stuart Maxey, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
2015 Plantation Patterns Nominated by Duane Donner, Founders Investment Banking
2014 Vulcan Value Partners (WINNER) Nominated by Greg Curran, Maynard Cooper & Gale
2014 Enrollment Advisors Nominated by Paul Pless, New Capital Partners
2014 Action Resources Nominated by Christopher Harmon, Maynard Cooper & Gale
2013 Daxko, Inc. (WINNER) Nominated by James Childs, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP
2013 Action Resources, Inc. Nominated by Christopher B. Harmon, Maynard, Cooper & Gale, PC
2013 Atlas RFID Solutions, LLC. Pamela B. Fetterolf, Atlas RFID Solutions, LLC
2013 Hospicelink Nominated by James V. Stewart, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP
2013 Iron Tribe Fitness Nominated by Bob Shufflebarger, Atherotech, Inc.
2013 MailSouth, Inc. Nominated by Greg Curran, Maynard, Cooper & Gale, PC
2012 First Partners Bank (WINNER) Nominated by Christopher P. Couch, Haskell Slaughter, LLC
2012 HospiceLink Nominated by Robert Crutchfield, Harbert Venture Partners, LLC
2012 MSpark Nominated by Greg Curran, Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC
2012 TicketBiscuit Nominated by John Shank, CPA Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith, PC
2011 Discovery BioMed, Inc. Nominated by Dr. Larry Greer and Alan Dean, Greer Capital Advisors
2011 MedWorks Holdings, LLC Nominated by Christopher L. Gillespie, Culotta, Scroggins, Hendricks, & Gillespie, P.C.
2011 Preferred Surgical Products Nominated by Jennifer King and Dr. Larry Greer, Greer Capital Advisors
2011 Proxsys, LLC (WINNER) Nominated by David D. Dowd, III, Burr & Forman, LLP
2010 Hoffman Media Nominated by Eric Hoffman, Hoffman Media
2010 Imaging Business Machines Nominated by Derrel G. Curry, Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith, P.C.
2010 SucessEHS, Inc. (WINNER) Nominated by John Shank, Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith, CPA
2009 DAXKO Nominated by James Childs, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
2009 Surgical Care Affiliates (WINNER) Nominated by Tim Gregg, Maynard, Cooper & Gale, PC
2009 MCM Technology, LLC Nominated by Brian Pitts, ITAC Solutions
2009 Imaging Business Machines Nominated by Derrel G. Curry, Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith, P.C.
2009 Optimal IMX Nominated by Robert Crutchfield, Harbert Venture Partners, LLC
2009 Electronic Health Systems Nominated by Gary York, Definicare
2008 DAXKO Nominated by James Childs, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
2008 Surgical Care Affiliates Nominated by Tim Gregg, Maynard, Cooper & Gale, PC
2008 SourceMedical Solutions, Inc. (WINNER) Nominated by Philip Hodges, Redmont Venture Partners
2008 Hygia Health Nominated by Devon Laney, The Innovation Depot
2008 Optimal Readings Group Nominated by Jeff Harris, Harbert Venture Partners
2007 Awarix, Inc. Nominated by Bill Goodrich, Richgood, Inc.
2007 ServisFirst Bank (WINNER) Nominated by William K. Holbrook, Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker LLC
2007 SourceMedical Solutions, Inc. Nominated by Philip Hodges, Redmont Venture Partners
2007 Zoe’s Kitchen Nominated by John Lacey, Morgan Stanley
2006 AQ2 Technologies Nominated by Clete Walker, The Prasara Group
2006 Awarix, Inc. Nominated by Emerson Fann, Eastside Partners
2006 Community Hospices of America, Inc. (WINNER) Nominated by Christopher Harman, Maynard Cooper & Gale PC
2006 ServisFirst Bank Nominated by William K. Holbrook, Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker LLC
2005 Community Hospices of America, Inc. Nominated by Christopher Harman, Maynard Cooper & Gale PC
2005 Brasfield Technology LLC Nominated by Cecil Bostany, Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino, LLC
2005 Principal Pharmacy Group, Inc. Nominated by John Shank, Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith, PC
2005 MedMined, Inc. (WINNER) Nominated by Emerson Fann, Eastside Partners & SouthEastern Technology Funds
2004 ComFrame Software Corporation Nominated by Eddie Hill, Entrepreneurial Center
2004 Emageon, Inc. (WINNER) Nominated by Chris Horgen, Southeastern Technology Fund
2004 TransMolecular, Inc. Nominated by Susan Matlock, UAB Office for the Advancement of Developing Industries
2004 MedMined, Inc. Nominated by Joe Bolen, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
2003 BioHorizons Implants Systems, Inc. Nominated by Robert E. Lee Garner, Haskell, Slaughter, Young & Rediker LLC
2003 ComFrame Software Corporation Nominated by James W. Childs, Jr., Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
2003 Emageon, Inc. Nominated by Curtis James, St. Vincent’s Hospital
2003 Momentum Telecom, Inc. Nominated by Lana K. Hawkins, Hawkins & Associates
2003 Trillion Digital Communications, Inc. Nominated by David D. Dowd, III, Burr & Forman LLP
2003 Virginia College LLC (WINNER) Nominated by Jim E. Tolbert, Virginia College LLC
2002 Atherotech, Inc.
2001 Progressive Systems LLC
2000 The Banc Corporation
1999 Express Oil Change, LLC
1998 GuideStar Health Systems, Inc.
1997 PJ America, Inc.
1996 MedPartners, Inc.
1995 Just For Feet, Inc.
1994 Scandipharm, Inc.
1993 Simply Fashion Stores, Ltd.
1992 CMS Research Corporation
1991 ReLife, Inc.
1990 Complete Health Services, Inc.
1989 HEALTHSOUTH Corporation
1988 Birmingham Steel Corporation

REQUIREMENTS

Mandatory Eligiblity Requirements

  • Must demonstrate viable business model, i.e., company size, industry, cash flow, etc.
  • Must be based in the seven-county Birmingham region
  • Must have at least one third-party investor that is not a company employee

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

  • Outstanding sales growth
  • Impressive turnaround situation
  • Unique financing completed with a bank or outside investor group
  • Company has reached an annual sales level greater than $2 million
  • Founded within the last 12 years, or has had a significant change in ownership within last five years
  • Major restructuring of the Company’s marketing and/or operations

Who was John S. Jemison, JR?

John S. Jemison, Jr. is still remembered as one of the city’s most outstanding businessmen and leaders. Born in Birmingham in 1908, he graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1931 and began his career as a loan officer with today’s Chase Manhattan of New York. He later moved to Goldman, Sachs & Co., New York, one of the largest underwriters of industrial securities in the U.S.

In 1947, Mr. Jemison returned to Birmingham—where he was a resident partner at Marx & Co., investment bankers, of Birmingham and New York City. In 1955, Mr. Jemison left Marx & Co. to form Jemison Investment Co., Inc. From that point until his death in 1988, he truly earned the title of “deal maker.”

Under Mr. Jemison’s leadership, Jemison Investment became a highly diversified holding company—with interests in lumber products, building materials, steel containers, slurry & dredge pump manufacturing, magazine publishing and real estate.

Mr. Jemison helped countless young entrepreneurs start or buy businesses. His reputation for openness and integrity in all his business dealings inspired absolute trust among those who turned to him for advice and investment expertise. His motto was “work hard, and have fun doing it!” Those fortunate enough to have known Mr. Jemison will tell you he lived his own motto every day.

Mr. Jemison contributed so much to the Birmingham business community—through the growth of businesses, the development of careers, and the creation of jobs and wealth for so many. His contributions to the community are still felt today. The Alabama Venture Club is honored to offer its annual award in his name. John Jemison’s reputation as “deal maker” was firmly established long before the term “venture capital” came into vogue. He was truly Birmingham’s first venture capitalist.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest research and announcements from our team.