Alabama
Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Startup Spotlight: TMA – Alabama News Center
Company name: TMA, the Hazardous Goods Companion.
Company hometown: Berlin, Germany.
Leadership team: Margaux Pagès, CEO.
Alabama News Center: What is your company’s overall focus and mission?
Margaux Pagès: TMA revolutionizes the way primary industries manage hazardous materials, making their supply chain safer, more sustainable and efficient.
ANC: What inspired you to start this company? How do you want to contribute to the future of energy and tech?
Pagès: TMA was born out of a deep understanding that every essential industry relies on the proper management of hazardous goods. From the oxygen tanks in hospitals to the electronics in our smartphones, to the materials used to send scientists to space, these goods are the backbone of our modern world. Yet, today, the management of billions of hazardous items worldwide remains under-optimized, leading to increased costs, pollution and safety risks. We realized that by building a more resilient and efficient management of essential goods, we could strengthen the foundations of our economy, society and future.
ANC: What attracted you to the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator?
Pagès: A dynamic team, the chance to connect with the close-knit Birmingham community and the goal of growing a thriving business with the support of experienced founders.
ANC: What is the No. 1 thing you’d like potential investors to understand about your company?
Pagès: While many clean tech funds prioritize renewable energy sources and electric vehicles, decarbonization of traditional industries like gas and chemicals is often overlooked. This is despite the fact that these sectors remain essential parts of our economy and will likely persist for years to come. A truly sustainable future requires a comprehensive approach that includes transitioning these industries toward more environmentally friendly practices.
ANC: What takeaways do you hope to gain for your company by taking part in the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator?
Pagès: There is so much to learn for us, but meeting a supportive network of mentors and partners and learning how to make the most of these precious relationships is key for our company.
ANC: What is your opinion of Birmingham so far?
Pagès: I’m fond of the people. I have never so quickly felt at home and so well-surrounded somewhere before Birmingham. Thank you for your warm welcome.
Contact: Visit our website, www.tmaiot.com, and feel free to write to us at info@tmaiot.com. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tma-hazardous-goods-companion/.
Alabama News Center is posting profiles on Tuesdays and Thursdays of companies in the 2024 Class of startups taking part in the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator. Read about Edenic Energy, REN3for, Reverse Energy Solutions and Mayahueltec.
The Alabama Strawberry Festival has been named Alabama’s Best Music Festival in Alabama Magazine’s 2026 Best of Bama Awards, the latest statewide recognition for one of Cullman’s signature events.
The Best of Bama Awards celebrate top attractions, events, restaurants and destinations across the state.
Held each April in downtown Cullman, the festival has grown into one of Alabama’s premier destination events, combining nationally known entertainment with local agriculture, family attractions, artisan vendors and food.
“This recognition belongs to our entire community,” said Nathan Anderson, executive director of Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism, in a statement. He said the festival has become far more than a weekend event, calling it an economic driver, a tourism asset and a source of community pride. Anderson noted the festival drew nearly 70,000 guests from 35 states this year, which he said shows people are coming to experience Cullman itself, not just a concert.
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs said the recognition reflects years of deliberate investment in building experiences that support the community while drawing outside visitors, calling the festival one of the signature events not just for Cullman, but for the entire state.
Harmony Heard, executive director of Cullman Area Tourism, said the festival continues to strengthen Cullman’s reputation as one of Alabama’s top travel destinations, noting that tens of thousands of out-of-state visitors translate into impact across local hotels, restaurants, retail shops and attractions.
Festival Manager Daniel Wyatt credited the recognition to the work put in year-round by the team behind the event, from booking entertainment to improving the guest experience and coordinating vendors.
The award adds to a strong year for Cullman’s event calendar. Cullman Christkindlmarkt was named the Alabama Tourism Department’s 2026 Event of the Year earlier this summer, meaning two of the city’s flagship festivals have now received statewide recognition in 2026.
The next Alabama Strawberry Festival is set for late April 2027 at Depot Park in historic downtown Cullman.
Courtesy of 256 Today
Alabama has Talent will return Aug. 1 to the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center in Tallassee, where organizers hope to once again showcase performers from across the state while bringing communities together through the arts.
“There’s so much talent out there and a lot of it just needs an opportunity to be discovered,” organizer Veronica Harris said. “In a world where we seem more and more disconnected, doing things that promote community is a way for us to come together and connect.”
The second annual competition includes separate divisions for children under 16 and adults, with grand prizes of $500 and $1,000. Entry is free for contestants and family-friendly acts of all kinds are welcome. Registration remains open through July 20.
Among those helping spread the word locally is Greenville artist and Muse Alabama Executive Director Jill Marlar. After attending last year’s inaugural competition, Marlar contacted Harris and has since encouraged several of her own students to participate in this year’s youth division.
“It was top-notch talent and all different ages,” Marlar said. “To sit there in a place I grew up, in a full theater, and see that just really gave me chills.” She said meeting Harris and seeing the event firsthand inspired her to become involved and introduce her students to the competition.
Alabama baseball is expected to hear another player’s name called as the 2026 MLB Draft gets underway today.
Several members of the Crimson Tide’s latest College World Series team are eligible for selection, but the biggest name to watch is shortstop Justin Lebron.
Over three seasons in Tuscaloosa, Lebron accumulated a .309 clip with 46 home runs. Defensively, he was just as impressive, posting a .947 fielding percentage to continue solidifying himself as one of the top shortstops in the draft class.
The first round of the draft will start at noon on Saturday, July 11. Picks one through 40 can be seen on TV at MLB Network.
Where Justin Lebron stands in final 2026 MLB Draft projections
In the final MLB Pipeline mock draft, Jonathan Mayo picked Lebron to go 11th overall to the Washington Nationals. Jim Callis selected Lebron as the pick for the Los Angeles Angels, going 12th, which is also what The Athletic predicted in its July 10 mock.
ESPN’s last mock draft had Lebron going 10th to the Colorado Rockies.
FanGraphs’ mock draft on July 8 projected Lebron as the 17th overall pick, going to the Houston Astros.
Lebron’s highest projection came from USA Today. Wajih AlBaroudi had the 21 year-old going 8th overall to the Oakland A’s.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. she can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.
-
Washington, D.C4 minutes agoWhy a road trip is the best way to see the US Capital Region
-
Cleveland, OH7 minutes agoPAUL ANTHONY FORTUNATO Obituary – Cleveland, OH (1941-2026)
-
Austin, TX12 minutes agoSuspect killed in officer-involved shooting in downtown Austin
-
Alabama19 minutes agoCullman’s Alabama Strawberry Festival adds another statewide award
-
Alaska22 minutes agoCommentary: What’s in a name? A confounding U.S. Senate race
-
Arizona27 minutes agoArizona firefighter killed in wildfire remembered as brainy, ‘goofy’
-
Arkansas34 minutes agoBentonville’s Dave Peel Park to become new downtown entertainment space | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
-
California37 minutes agoCowboys, margaritas and toxic trash: Some sour on lawyers in lucrative L.A. landfill cases
