The Frontier Conference

What The Frontier Conference does

The Frontier Conference is a Birmingham, Alabama-based private event and networking company founded by Hank Torbert, Kirk Coburn, and Tim DeSilva to convene leaders across industrial innovation sub-sectors. It produces what it describes as the nation's only conference focused on emerging technologies for all key industrial disciplines, attracting founders, C-suite executives, heads of innovation, venture investors, scientists, and government economic development officials. Quantified reach at recent events includes 200+ innovation leaders, 130+ organizations, 20+ states, 5+ countries, and 17+ major industrial disciplines ranging from energy and water management to AI/robotics, advanced materials, aerospace, and chemicals.

The company's core product is the annual Frontier Conference, which functions as a curated, multi-track convening with speaker/panelist programming, exhibitor booths, and structured networking. Around the event, The Frontier operates a year-round community via an advisory board, partner network, newsletter, and "The Hub" digital platform (industrial-innovation.com). It does not develop proprietary software, IP, or AI/ML technology; its asset is the network and brand position rather than a technology stack.

Revenue is generated through three streams: conference registration and attendance fees (one-time), custom sponsorship packages that include branding, speaking slots, exhibit space, and complimentary passes (one-time contracts, often multi-year), and recurring partnership programs that bundle communications features, lunch-and-learn hosting rights, VIP event access, and category exclusivity with two-year advisory board seats. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is sold via custom packages. The firm has 1–10 employees and no disclosed external funding, operating as a founder-led, privately held organization anchored by core institutional partners such as Alabama Power, Brightstar Capital Partners, C Spire, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, Techstars, and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Name

The Frontier Conference

Legal name

The Frontier

Website

https://thefrontier.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Frontier Conference is a privately held Birmingham, Alabama-based event company that hosts an annual conference convening 200+ industrial innovation leaders, investors, and executives across 17+ disciplines, generating revenue through registration, sponsorships, and multi-year partnership programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Innovation Conferences & Networking Events

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Association Conferences (MPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Industrial innovation conference
• Industry networking events
• Corporate sponsorship programs
• Emerging technology conferences
• B2B innovation summits

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Conference Registration & Attendance: Revenue generated from conference attendance fees for exhibitors, speakers, and general participants seeking to connect with industrial innovation leaders and stakeholders.
2. Sponsorship Packages: Custom sponsorship packages that include opportunities to be featured in conference materials, recognized during sessions, appoint conference speakers or panelists, exhibit during the conference, and receive complimentary conference passes.
3. Partnership Programs: Partnership packages offering routine features on communications platforms, invitation to host lunch & learn sessions, VIP admission to exclusive events, two-year advisory board appointment, and access to competitive category exclusivity for conference sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Frontier Conference organizes an annual conference and year-round networking community focused on emerging technologies across industrial sub-sectors. It connects founders, C-suite executives, investors, and R&D specialists through in-person events, panel discussions, sponsorship packages, and partnership programs to facilitate cross-industry collaboration and deal-making in the industrial innovation ecosystem.

Product overview

The Frontier Conference is a single unified conference product focused on industrial innovation. It serves as a networking and knowledge-sharing platform connecting founders, executives, investors, and innovators across 17+ major industrial disciplines. The conference offers speakers, panelists, exhibitors, and partnership opportunities, along with a digital network and newsletter for continued engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Frontier Conference An annual conference and networking event connecting innovators, investors, and industry leaders across 17+ major industrial disciplines, including energy, mobility, water management, AI/robotics, advanced materials, aerospace, chemicals, and construction. Designed for founders, C-suite executives, heads of innovation, finance professionals, investment bankers, VC investors, scientists, and R&D specialists.
• Conference Sponsorship Packages

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ innovation leaders connected per conference
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Alabama PowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlabama Power is a key strategic partner supporting The Frontier Conference. As one of the nation's largest electric utilities, Alabama Power provides access to industrial innovation stakeholders and expertise in energy sector innovation. The partnership includes sponsorship, advisory board representation, and access to their innovation ecosystem.
• Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDPA is a private, non-profit alliance of leading businesses that works to bring quality economic growth to Alabama. Partners on strategic marketing efforts to promote Alabama's advantages as a business location and supports The Frontier's mission to position Alabama as an epicenter of industrial innovation.
• C SpirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerC Spire is a diversified telecommunications and technology services company providing comprehensive wireless communications and technology solutions. Serves as a partner for technology and innovation initiatives within the industrial ecosystem.
• University of Southern MississippicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSM is a key academic partner providing research and innovation expertise, particularly in coastal operations, polymer science, and technology transfer. Multiple USM faculty and researchers are featured network innovators.
• TechstarsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechstars is a global investment and innovation platform connecting startups with resources, mentors, and funding. Partnership provides access to startup ecosystem and mentorship programs for emerging industrial innovation companies.
• Smart City Works Venture LabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmart City Works is a next-generation business accelerator focused on launching new infrastructure companies that improve livability, operations, and resilience of cities. Bob Mazer serves as founder and is featured as a network innovator.
• Birmingham Business AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Birmingham Business Alliance works on economic development and business growth in the Birmingham area, supporting The Frontier's mission to promote Alabama as an industrial innovation hub.
• Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MSET)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSET is a nonprofit located at Stennis Space Center that assists companies in finding business opportunities and liaises with federal agencies for technology transfer.
• CICLsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICL (likely referring to a consortium or organization) partners with The Frontier on innovation initiatives. Bill Gorden serves as advisor to CICL.
• Industrial Internet ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Industrial Internet Consortium aligns groups for business, technology, trustworthiness, and industry for the Industrial Internet. Stephen Mellor serves as CTO and is a featured innovator.
• ZEDEDAsupportingTechnology or IntegrationZEDEDA is an edge orchestration company. Jason Shepherd serves as VP of Ecosystem and is featured as a network innovator representing edge computing and IoT expertise.
• Water FoundrysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Foundry focuses on water technology innovation and investment. Will Sarni serves as Founder & CEO and is featured as an innovator and advisory board member.
• Innovation LeadersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovation Leader is a publication that helps large companies make change in their industries. Kaitlin Milliken serves as Business Journalist and is featured as a network innovator.
• Birmingham BoundsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBirmingham Bound is focused on driving growth and entrepreneurship in Birmingham's technology sector. Britney Summerville serves as founder and is featured as a network innovator.
• Hardware ParksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHardware Park is an innovation and hardware-focused organization supporting the industrial innovation ecosystem.
• JpU.iosupportingTechnology or IntegrationJpU.io is focused on Private 5G for enterprises. Roy Timor-Rousso serves as CRO and is featured as a network innovator.
• Cloud of ThingssupportingTechnology or IntegrationCloud of Things develops an Internet of Things (IoT) platform for product and utility companies. Avner Ziv serves as CEO and is featured as a network innovator.
• DispersivesupportingTechnology or IntegrationDispersive is a software-defined networking company. Chris Swan serves as CRO and is featured as a network innovator.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Money 20/20: Premier fintech and financial-services industry conference with a model of paid registration, premium sponsorships, and curated attendee lists. Demonstrates the 'specialized vertical B2B conference' playbook The Frontier is pursuing for industrials.
• TechCrunch Disrupt: Flagship startup and emerging-technology conference featuring founders, VCs, and enterprise innovators. Highly comparable to The Frontier's positioning as a curated gathering for emerging-technology dealmaking and partnerships.
• Slush: Major European startup and technology conference that connects founders, investors, and industry partners. Comparable in format, audience, and B2B networking focus to The Frontier's industrial-innovation gathering.
• Hannover Messe: World's leading industrial technology trade fair covering automation, energy, digital industries, and industrial sub-sectors. Directly comparable to The Frontier as a flagship industrial-innovation event, but at vastly larger global scale.
• ARC Industry Forum: Long-running industrial-automation and digital-transformation industry conference for end users, suppliers, and integrators. Direct overlap with The Frontier on industrial sub-sectors like automation, IIoT, and operations technology.
• Industrial Transformation (HANNOVER MESSE USA): North American spinoff of Hannover Messe focused on industrial digital transformation, IIoT, and smart manufacturing. Competes for the same industrial-innovation audience and sponsor dollars as The Frontier.

Emerging players

• Industry of Things World USA: Specialized B2B conference on industrial IoT and the Industrial Internet, bringing together enterprise buyers, technology vendors, and thought leaders. Closest thematic peer to The Frontier's industrial-innovation sub-verticals.

Broad incumbents

• Web Summit: Large-scale global technology and startup conference attracting investors, founders, and enterprise buyers. Comparable as a multi-track innovation event with similar attendee profile (founders, VCs, enterprise executives) to The Frontier.
• SXSW Conference & Festivals: Multi-track conference covering technology, innovation, and industry verticals with significant sponsor and startup components. Comparable scale and breadth, though not industrial-focused.
• CES (Consumer Technology Association): Annual global consumer technology and innovation show, the largest of its kind. While not industrial-only, it competes for industrial-innovation exhibitors, sponsors, and media attention that The Frontier also targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thefrontiercon
• Facebookfacebook.com/thefrontiercon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Frontier Conference