about the innovation map project

connecting the dots - building a framework for ecosystem visibility and connectivity, starting in Alabama. 💛⚡

The Innovation Map is a free, community-powered resource designed to make innovation ecosystems easier to see, understand, and navigate.

Think of it as the Yellow Pages meets Wikipedia for the innovation economy: a searchable, evolving directory that helps people discover the companies, funders, programs, institutions, service providers and communities supporting innovation across a region.

The project began with a simple observation: when resources are difficult to find, people often assume they do not exist.
A founder may believe there is no capital available because they do not know which investors fund their stage. A researcher may believe there is no commercialization pathway because they do not know who can help. A small-business owner may believe there is no support nearby because the right program is hard to identify.
The problem is not always scarcity. Sometimes, it is discoverability.

Innovation Map exists to help close that gap by making the ecosystem more visible and connected.
This is a volunteer-led giveback project. It is free to explore, free to contribute to, and open to everyone.
Organizations do not pay to be listed, and listings are not advertisements or endorsements.

Because no single person or organization can see the entire ecosystem, Innovation Map is built with the community. Anyone can submit an organization, suggest a correction or request an update. Each contribution helps make the resource more complete, accurate and useful for everyone.

We are starting in Alabama, but the broader vision is to build a practical framework that can help communities everywhere better understand and connect the resources already around them.

Before we can connect an ecosystem, we have to be able to see it.

how it started…

Innovation Map was created by Rochelle Silveira, an innovation and entrepreneurship leader with more than 15 years of experience across technology, fintech, business building and ecosystem development.

After working closely with founders and support organizations, Rochelle repeatedly saw the same challenge: valuable resources existed, but people often could not find them.

She launched Innovation Map as a volunteer giveback project to make the ecosystem easier to see, understand and navigate. While Rochelle leads the initiative, the map is built with the community. Every submission, correction and shared resource helps make it more complete and useful for everyone.

Rochelle always heard that I’ve built the right company… in the wrong place. That stuck with her.
Ever since, her work has revolved around proving that you can build world-class companies anywhere  - even when you’re not in Silicon Valley.

And every time she spoke with founders, investors, or ecosystem builders, the same questions come up:
👀 “Who’s building what in Alabama?”
🤝 “Where can I find the right startups (or investors) to connect with?”
🧭 “Who else is part of this ecosystem?”

That’s when it hit her: we don’t actually have a clear picture of our own ecosystem… So she decided to start building one.

📍The Innovation Ecosystem Map
The vision is to build a community-driven, living directory & map designed to highlight startups, investors, enablers, service providers, and community builders.
Updated monthly on the 25th, open to everyone.

This isn’t about creating another database. It’s about making it visible.
Because innovation isn’t defined by geography - it’s defined by impact & community.

Rochelle believes that visibility is the first step to building stronger connections. That’s why she launched the Ecosystem Map, starting in Alabama.
Whether you're a startup, funder, support org, service provider, or event organizer, this map is meant to connect the dots and help our innovation ecosystem thrive.

frequently asked questions

  • Innovation Map is a free, community-powered directory of the organizations and resources that support innovation and entrepreneurship.

    It brings together innovative companies, investors and funders, support organizations, institutions, service providers and community groups in one place, making the ecosystem easier to discover and navigate.

  • Yes. Innovation Map is free to browse, use and contribute to.

    There is no fee to access the directory, submit an organization or request an update to an existing listing.

  • No. Organizations cannot pay to be included or ranked.

    Listings are added based on the project’s inclusion criteria and available public or community-submitted information. A listing does not represent a sponsorship, advertisement, partnership or endorsement.

  • Innovation Map was founded and is led by Rochelle Silveira as an independent, volunteer-led giveback project.

    The resource is built with contributions from the broader community, including founders, organizations, ecosystem leaders and individuals who submit new listings, corrections and updates.

    Innovation Map is not owned or operated by a government agency, economic development organization, university, bank, accelerator or investment firm.

  • Innovation Map does not charge organizations to be included in the core directory.

    Any future sponsorships, partnerships or supported initiatives will be clearly identified and will not determine whether an organization qualifies for inclusion.

  • Innovation Map is beginning in Alabama.

    The long-term vision is to develop a framework that can be adapted to help other regions map, understand and connect their innovation ecosystems.

  • Everyone.

    The resource is designed for founders, small-business owners, investors, researchers, students, universities, economic developers, service providers, community leaders and anyone trying to better understand or participate in the innovation ecosystem.

  • Anyone can submit an organization, including founders, employees, customers, partners, community members and representatives of the organization itself.

    You do not need to own or work for an organization to recommend that it be added.

  • Yes. Self-submissions are welcome.

    Submitting your own organization does not guarantee inclusion, but every submission will be reviewed using the same criteria.

  • Anyone can submit a correction or request an update.

    You can help us correct information such as an organization’s website, location, description, category, operating status or other relevant details. Requests may be reviewed against publicly available information before changes are published.

  • Innovation Map is updated once a month, with new listings and approved changes published on the 25th of each month.

    Submissions received close to the monthly update date may be included in the following month’s release. Because Innovation Map is a volunteer-led project, review times may vary depending on the number and complexity of submissions.

    Providing complete and accurate information, including relevant websites or supporting links, can help make the review process faster.

  • The most valuable ways to support the project are to:

    • Use and share the map

    • Submit missing organizations

    • Request corrections when information changes

    • Introduce the project to ecosystem leaders and communities

    • Contribute credible local knowledge

    Every contribution helps make the ecosystem more visible.