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Entrepreneurial Center
Empowering Entrepreneurs. Fostering Innovation. Building Community.

Our commitment is to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and nurture innovation from a young age, leading to a more dynamic economy and community. Our mission is to provide the resources, education, and mentorship needed to turn ideas into successful ventures.

At the E-Center, we offer a collaborative environment designed for growth. Whether you need a space to develop your ideas or launch your business, we’re here to support you. As the E-Center continues to grow, you'll gain access to resources, workshops, funding opportunities, mentors, and much more.

Builders Studio - Build Your Business at Your Own Pace

We've partnered with Builders + Backers to give you access to Builders Studio—an AI-powered platform that guides you from idea to launched venture (and beyond).

Here's what makes this different:
● No applications. Start whenever you're ready.
● AI + expert support. Get 24/7 guidance plus strategic coaching from real founders.
● Built for action. Not just learning about entrepreneurship—actually building your venture.
● Full journey support. Whether you're exploring an idea, ready to launch, or already growing, the platform meets you where you are.

Think of it as having a venture-building co-pilot who knows what you need to do next and helps you do it.

→ Ready to start building? https://bit.ly/Builders-Studio

Everyday Entrepreneur Program Pitch Competition

NACC E-Center held a pitch competition on November 19th with 8 students participating. We held two 1.5-hour workshops to help students strengthen their ideas and sharpen their presentations, then the final day was their pitch.

• Nov 5: How problems get solved + testing ideas
• Nov 12: How to give an effective pitch + what a strong presentation looks like
• Nov 19: The Pitch Competition!

A huge thank you to NACCE and the Everyday Entrepreneur Program for funding this initiative. We are excited to keep the momentum going and are actively seeking sponsors to continue offering opportunities like this for our students.

We were honored to have judges from the UAB Barefield Entrepreneurship Program. They shared how impressed they were with the students’ creativity, courage, and confidence. Choosing winners was tough, and they encouraged every participant to keep pursuing their ideas.

If you're interested in events like this or want to support future programs, let us know: ecenter@nacc.edu.

Pitch Competition Winners

1st Place — Kaleigh Domingo
Spanish/English Translation Business + Staffing Agency
Junior at Fort Payne High School
$2,000

2nd Place — Reese McCurdy
Wholesome Meal Prep — Locally sourced ingredients, meal prep & delivery/pick-up
Senior at Fort Payne High School
$1,000

3rd Place — Chris Bedard
Liberty Clean — Car Detailing Business
Sophomore at Section High School
$500

Additional Awards — $100 Each
Crimson Ward — Karaoke Bar | NACC Student
Ermatana Matias — Boutique + Coffee Shop | Scottsboro High School
Eli Mattox — Bow Repair Shop | Sylvania High School
Alex Hamilton — Social/Emotional Skills Program | NACC Student
Marleigh Williams — Jewelry Making Business | NACC Student

So proud of these students for stepping on stage, sharing their ideas, and embracing entrepreneurship. The future is bright! 

Northeast Alabama Community College
Enterpreneurial Center
246 McCurdy Avenue N. Rainsville, Alabama
256-638-7333
mccurdyj@nacc.edu

Meet our Fall 2025 Builders

Over the next 90 days, our Builders will transform their dreams into tangible realities through rapid experimentation, cutting-edge no-code tools, guidance from Builders + Backers network of expert mentors, and funding from our Pebble Fund, thanks to NACC E-Center and a grant from Innovate Alabama.

2025 Spring Idea Accelerator Cohort

Name: Lucas Roberts

Idea Summary: A community-driven platform providing shared access to high-quality agricultural processing equipment and educational resources to enable small-scale producers to process and optimize their crops efficiently.

Name: Peter Bruno

Idea Summary: I intend to drastically reduce energy consumption in all types of conditioned spaces by leveraging existing technology and utilizing recycled materials.  My focus will be on obtaining greater R-Values in conditioned spaces that traditional insulation options struggle to obtain due to limited space constraints.

Name: Barbara Kilgore

Idea Summary:  A generative tool that would increase effective communication in online courses

Name: John Morr

Idea Summary: A sustainable waste management solution focused on improving the economics and logistics of glass recycling to address contamination and high transportation costs, making it profitable for municipalities.

The NACC E-Center operates as part of Northeast Alabama Community College, a public institution within the Alabama Community College System. Contributions made to support our programs are tax-deductible and help strengthen the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem across DeKalb and Jackson Counties.