Company name: PowerBox Technology

Company hometown: Champaign, Illinois.

Leadership team: Oscar Azofeifa, founder and CEO.

What is your company's overall focus and mission?

Oscar Azofeifa: We are solving the immense global problem of power reliability in industrial settings. Our mission is to give organizations the confidence to grow, innovate and operate without disruption to their energy systems.

What inspired you to start this company? How do you want to contribute to the future of energy and tech?

Azofeifa: I started my career working with industrial manufacturers and seeing how frequently they were struggling to keep reliable operations due to issues with their energy systems. As I developed myself professionally in the energy industry, building and designing advanced renewable energy systems, I realized there was a missing piece connecting these technologies with the problem I learned about early on.

I want PowerBox Technology to be a trusted partner for tens of thousands of customers worldwide, to maintain reliable operations and achieve operational excellence while modernizing their energy systems.

What attracted you to the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator?

Azofeifa: It is a unique accelerator that merges the solid foundation of the Techstars philosophy with a major partner in the power industry. Furthermore, Alabama as a region presents major challenges that our technology addresses head on.

What is the No. 1 thing you'd like potential investors to understand about your company?

Azofeifa: We have a unique combination of deep expertise in different areas of technology, with an energized team ready to scale fast.

What takeaways do you hope to gain for your company by taking part in the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator?

Azofeifa: "Guide our arrow" in the right direction, looking into the next five years to scale and establish PowerBox Technology as an industry leader.

What is your opinion of Alabama/Birmingham so far?

Azofeifa: Love the energy of the city; the old combined with the new and hopeful. I also enjoy the great sense of identity residents have, while making new people feel welcomed and part of the community right away.