Looking for a weeklong event filled with networking opportunities, coupled with valuable information and education to help entrepreneurial ventures and small businesses not only survive, but thrive? Look no further, because Innovate Huntsville Week is coming up February 22nd-25th.

The good news for 2022 is that Innovate Huntsville will be hosting many of their events in person. Throughout the week, events will be presented at a variety of locations. Although some of the events will still be virtual, others will be held at the Innovate Huntsville Center downtown, along with the Stovehouse, Urban Engine, I2C, and Campus 805.

Now in its 7th year, Innovate Huntsville is an annual weeklong event that is geared towards innovators, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and those wanting to do business with the Federal Government. Throughout the week, participants will receive a wealth of information about the unique entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem here in the North Alabama region.

Monday, February 21st starts the week with InnovateHSV’s kickoff event. This is where InnovateHSV partner organizations will be introduced, in addition to providing corporate overviews.

“The kickoff event is going to be an introduction to all of the events that are happening,” said Vicki Morris, founder and president of RISE and Face-to-Face Marketing. “I’m going to talk a little bit about the organizations and how people can get plugged into the ecosystem and the community organizations here that are set in place to assist small businesses. We’ll give a little bit of an in-depth introduction to each organization and how those organizations can really help business owners grow their businesses.”

Technovate is the Monday evening event, hosted at I2C. It’s essentially a technology roadshow.

“We’re going to be displaying cool new technology, some of it can be for sale, looking for a great buyer to start a company with it,” said Morris. “Getting a glimpse inside the innovative things that are going on in our area.”

On Tuesday, the Catalyst-sponsored Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program will be hosted virtually in an all-day workshop.

“This is where government agencies come together to tell you how to business with them,” said Morris. “They’re going to give you the roadmap. If you’re wanting to get into government contracting, thinking about it, already in it, or maybe you just don’t know about it, go to this event. It’s free, it’s virtual, it will benefit your business, even if it’s just increasing your knowledge base.”

On Tuesday evening, “Don’t Do This” features real life entrepreneurs presenting real business lessons as well as recounting their business blunders. Hosted at the Stovehouse, there will also be free drink tickets for attendees.

“Ideas to Income” is the RISE, SCORE, and Catalyst-sponsored event on Wednesday morning. It’s a hands-on workshop that will help budding entrepreneurs become business ready. Topics include building a sound business plan, crafting an enticing marketing strategy, and designing an engaging social media presence.

On Wednesday evening, Urban Engine’s CoWorking® Night returns! Not familiar with CoWorking Night? It’s a free weekly event where professionals come to learn, connect, and collaborate. No RSVP is required, just show up!

HASBAT Industry Tours will take place throughout the day on Thursday. Yulista, CFD Research, and Simple Helix have set up tours of their facilities, providing participants with an up close and personal look at their companies. It’s free; no registration is required.

Thursday afternoon is the virtual presentation of the NAITA Trade Compliance Roundtable. The speaker will be Jonathan Barnes, Special Agent, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, U.S. Department of Commerce.

On Friday, Innovate Huntsville Week culminates with the 7th Annual Entrepreneurial Awards, which will be presented in person at Campus 805. Since its inception in 2016, The Entrepreneur Awards celebrate and recognize the hard work, courage, and determination of many outstanding North Alabama entrepreneurs. There is an assortment of categories, such as Youth, Veteran, Woman, Emerging, Non-profit, Creative, Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Joanne Randolph Entrepreneur Champion.

For 2022, a new category has been added.

“Last year had the one-off category as the Pandemic Pivot, that won’t return this year.” said Holly Brockman, Catalyst’s Women’s Business Center Project Manager. “In light of paying attention to the entrepreneurs in Huntsville, we have added a ‘Government Contracting’ Entrepreneur of the Year award.”

There are other big entrepreneur events coming up in March with dates TBD. The ‘Boost Idea Pitch’ competition and ‘Women in Tech’ hosted by I2C. With the ‘Boost Idea Pitch,’ all you need is a great idea, pitch it before judges, and get critiqued. And there is prize money for the winners.

“Huntsville is an amazing city,” said Morris. “Everybody knows we have NASA here, we’ve got government here, but there’s also a lot of innovation happening, and that’s what we really want to highlight.”

For more information, go to: http://www.innovatehsv.com/ or https://catalystcenter.org/