Douglas Watson’s move from Atlanta to Birmingham in 2018 was the result of a family obligation. A native of Montgomery, he recalls his attitude toward the relocation as “reluctant.”
“I thought I’d be here two years,” said Watson, now founding managing partner of Measured Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm that specializes in high-impact investments outside major tech hubs.
Founded in 2022 and based in Birmingham, Measured Capital focuses on transformative companies across the Southeast. Speaking the week after serving as a judge in the $75,000 Sloss.Tech/Ideas pitch competition — part of the popular annual tech conference held in Birmingham’s historic theatre district June 25-27 — Watson reflected on overcoming his initial reluctance and deciding that Birmingham was the place to start his company. His experience, he said, has given him perspective on opportunities to make transformative impacts throughout Alabama and beyond.
“I saw Birmingham and the entire state growing within the tech ecosystem,” recalled Watson. “Now, it’s an engine for tech and founders and innovation, supportive of making it happen…