A regional funding partnership involving the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) is helping bring a new biotechnology startup to Madison, with a focus on expanding access to research tools and supporting future healthcare innovation.

Valor Scientific, Inc. is opening a production facility on Madison Boulevard with the support of a $350,000 loan provided through a joint initiative between TARCOG and Neighborhood Concepts, Inc., the organization said.

The funding, described as non-traditional financing, enabled the startup to move forward with plans to establish a biotechnology lab focused on manufacturing human growth factors for research, medical, and commercial use.

Valor Scientific was founded by Andrew Kodani, PhD, Bethany Blake, and Matthew Knuesel, PhD. Officials said the leadership team brings experience in rare disease research, biotech startup operations, and protein engineering, with a focus on improving access to critical research materials and advancing new approaches in cellular science.

The company’s first product, Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 146 (FGF2 146), supports growth in all cell types and plays a key role in cell development in both laboratory and biological settings. It is intended for use in areas such as stem cell research, wound healing, and cosmetic skincare.

Leaders said the company’s broader mission includes making scientific research more accessible, particularly for underserved groups, while developing systems aimed at supporting innovation and addressing gaps that can limit progress in rare disease research.

As part of that effort, the company is collaborating with the Coffin-Lowry Syndrome Foundation, a Huntsville-based nonprofit that supports families affected by a rare genetic condition. The partnership is intended to support scientific discovery and advocacy efforts in the region and beyond.

Biotechnology, the field in which Valor operates, involves using living organisms and biological processes to develop products and technologies for applications ranging from disease prevention to environmental sustainability.

The investment reflects how regional partnerships can support early-stage companies as they establish operations and begin bringing products to market, with TARCOG and its partners helping provide financing to launch the Madison-based facility.

Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.