Innovation Depot is a nonprofit technology incubator and entrepreneurial hub based in Birmingham, Alabama, USA that supports startups and innovators with workspace, community, mentorship, and ecosystem connections — but it is not primarily a venture capital fund that automatically writes checks for equity like traditional accelerators or VCs. It serves as a core launchpad for early-stage ventures in the Southeast.

Pre-Seed Support: Offers incubation, coworking, and slick programs that help founders prepare for seed readiness and early capital raises through community connections, mentor networks, education, and structured growth programs.
Seed / Early Institutional: Via specific affiliated programs (e.g., Velocity Accelerator), companies can access small seed-like capital injections as part of cohort participation.

• Direct Equity Taken: Innovation Depot does not have a standard equity requirement for its general incubation or membership programs — founders do not surrender a fixed % equity simply for joining the incubator or workspace.
• Velocity Accelerator Funding: Historically, Innovation Depot’s Velocity Accelerator program provided seed capital (~$50,000) to each selected company as part of a cohort, backed by local sponsors and partners; that capital has been offered as grants or seed capital depending on the program design — equity terms in past cohorts were negotiated individually with founders (and not universally published as one fixed equity %).
• Industry Norm Context: Incubator sites like this generally help founders prepare for external funding from angels and VCs (who decide equity percentages in seed rounds). If any capital from Innovation Depot’s affiliated programs is deployed in exchange for equity, the percentage is negotiated per deal rather than set by a mandated policy.

• Incubator programs typically do not demand equity for community membership or space usage. Any investment component (e.g., from a specific accelerator like Velocity) that involves cash may use SAFE/convertibles or priced equity negotiated directly with founders — but there is no publicly advertised elevator pitch like “$X for Y%” across all companies. 

 Submission Method:
 • Incubation Membership: Apply through Innovation Depot’s website for office space and support.
• Bootcamp/Accelerator Programs: Apply to programs like Voltage, Boost, or Velocity when openings are announced — these focus on idea validation, MVP refinement, or scaling support. 

Sector Focus: Broad across tech and high-growth sectors (software, biotech, healthtech, information technology, etc.).
 Geography: Based in Birmingham, AL, with regional and national founders participating.
Stage: From idea / MVP development (Voltage) through scaling support (Boost) and investor readiness. 
Team: Founders building scalable tech or tech-enabled ventures. 

Strategic Support: Access to workspace, community, events, mentorship, and ecosystem partners that help refine product and business strategy.
Program Coaching: Participation in cohort programs with curated curriculum for idea validation and MVP scaling.
Investor Connections: Opportunities to connect with local/state capital sources and national angels/VCs through pitch events and regional partnerships.