Startup Bills in the Alabama Legislature

"Alabama Senate moves to help small businesses raise startup money through crowd funding:
MONTGOMERY (AP) — The Alabama Senate is trying to give people a new way to raise money to start small businesses.
Enlarge |Arthur Orr
FILE -- In this photo taken Feb. 4, 2013, State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, talks with reporters in Montgomery, Ala. Alabamians trying to start small businesses in a tough credit market may soon have a new method that will allow them to raise small amounts of capital from many Alabama investors. Known as “crowd funding,” the process has been used for years to generate money for political campaigns, artistic projects and charities. It will become a legal way to raise capital for small businesses in Alabama if the Legislature approves a bill in the next session starting Jan. 14. Orr, the bill's sponsor, said the Alabama Securities Commission asked him to introduce the bill because small business people need a different way to raise money. “It's difficult for start-ups to get bank loans and other traditional financing,” he said. (AP Photo/Phillip Rawls, file)
APThe Senate voted 31-0 Thursday for a "crowd funding" bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur.
The legislation is backed by the Alabama Securities Commission. It would allow someone trying to start a small business in Alabama to use social media and advertising to find small investors who live in the state. It is limited to raising $1 million, and it is restricted to Alabama businesses and investors because of federal regulations.
The proposed legislation is an option for people trying to start small businesses in a tough credit market, Orr said.
His bill now goes to the House for consideration. House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, said Thursday he favors the bill because Alabama needs innovative ways to give small businesses access to capital. But he said he has not had a chance to gauge support in the House."

(link) http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20140123/NEWS/140129867

OPINION:

This is one of two bills I know of that could help startups.  The other has been pushed along for a couple of years and would provide an investment tax credit for investments in small/startup enterprises.

I, for one, hope both can pass this year.

Grassroots Marketing | Inc.com

If you are struggling to gain market traction this is for you.

Inc. put together a great list of mini articles with some equally great insight into the creativity it takes to compete in a crowded marketplace as a startup. A must read for almost any consumer focused startup: Grassroots Marketing | Inc.com (Link).

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Things I'm working on...

There is a ton going on in the Birmingham startup ecosystem, some that is public knowledge and some that isn't.

Here's a small sampling of some at least semi public stuff that I've been working on and think is worth supporting...if anything seems like a fit, give me a buzz, we can always use good help.

1. Expanding our BAN Mentorship Program
2. Creating a Culinary Startup Incubator
3. Proposing and Passing a Startup Capital Tax Credit
4. Getting regularly scheduled PR for the Startup scene
5. Supporting and expanding Birmingham Startup Drinks
6. Creating a Deal Flow Clearinghouse for non-startup related alternative investments
7. Brainstorming on ways to fill the "concept validation" gap

That's probably a good start.

If any of that strikes your fancy...come on down.

***This post probably also shows that we could use an initiative that keeps track of the various ways to get involved, but that will have to wait till another day.