Rocket Hatch has mentored three local startup businesses for the Alabama Launchpad Competition finale. CONTRIBUTED

HUNTSVILLE – The Rocket Hatch non-profit organization has been mentoring three local startup businesses for the Alabama Launchpad Competition finale.

The startups from Huntsville will vie for their chance to win a share of up to $250,000 in funding from Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama.

Design Lab will host the finale and award ceremony at Lincoln Mill on Dec. 10 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Since August, these budding Huntsville businesses have been preparing for this competition with the support program that Rocket Hatch organized. Rocket Hatch is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization focused on supporting startup creation in the Huntsville Metro and surrounding areas through an open and inclusive community.

During this competition cycle, five Huntsville companies were initially selected from 10 candidates for the pitch elimination round held in Birmingham in October. Rocket Hatch has assisted three Huntsville groups that advanced:

* ACE Creative Engagement — Cloud-based service that simplifies the complexity of live video broadcasting production and distribution. (ace.news)

* MechOptix — Developer of Stoptix, an innovative brake lamp that turns on automatically on vehicle deceleration. (mechoptix.com)

* Vital-Metrix — In-home, non-invasive solution to monitor patients with congestive heart failure. (vital-metrix.com)

“”Support from Rocket Hatch mentors has been tremendously beneficial,” Vital-Metrix CEO Alton Reich said. “There’s a big difference between how an explanation of your business plan sounds to you, and to a group of other people. The feedback that I have gotten has really enabled me to focus the message.”

Antonio Montoya, Rocket Hatch Executive Director, said, “We’ll continue to work in conjunction with programs like Alabama Launchpad and regional startup accelerators to provide local entrepreneurs with the funding and exposure that are critically needed in the early stages of their startup life.”

“The Huntsville business community has been very generous in helping startups. There’s a strong entrepreneurial spirit here,” Peggy Sammon said. Sammon is CEO of Genecapture and Rocket Hatch mentor.

For more information, call 256-853-0504, email to antonio@rockethatch.org or visit rockethatch.org, Facebook/Rocket Hatch or Twitter @TheRocketHatch.