MADISON – Innovate Huntsville 2018, a week of collaboration and celebration of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in North Alabama, will open Feb. 25.

Innovate Huntsville will run through March 3 and bring entrepreneurs and innovators together with local resources to build momentum and opportunity around Huntsville’s vibrant business scene, publicist Vicki Morris said.

The week will feature panel sessions and social activities, including the region’s brightest entrepreneurs, investors, strategic advisors and community supporters, Morris said. Event locations for 2018 will be HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce, BizTech, Huntsville West and Campus 805.

“Huntsville is a community that values innovation, whether developing the next generation of space propulsion or innovative treatments for diseases or creating the next app to be downloaded across the world or even creating the next big craft beer,” Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said.

“It’s simply what we do, and it’s what Huntsville is known for across the country. This is a week where we recognize the dreamers and the doers and the many organizations that help make possible the creation of Huntsville’s future business success stories,” Battle said.

Katie Williams with The Catalyst said Innovate Huntsville “has grown to become more than just a week but a year-round innovative focus that fosters collaboration among organizations … across North Alabama. “The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship continues to remain a strong partner in this initiative.”

The Catalyst will host the Entrepreneur Awards as part of Innovate Huntsville Week. “It’s our way of celebrating the talented and visionary individuals we have right here in our community,” Williams said.

This year, Innovate Huntsville will build on past success, Larry Lewis said. Lewis is CEO of BizTech, Huntsville’s business and technology incubator.

“The event continues to highlight Huntsville as an entrepreneurial center on the local, regional and national stage, while providing resources for the startup community,” Lewis said.

For more information, email Vicki@FaceToFace-Marketing.com or visit innovatehsv.com.