BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Joseph Rusk, a rising senior in Auburn University’s electrical and computer engineering program, won the $75,000 top prize in Alabama Launchpad’s Cycle 1 2026 Technology Track competition for his startup, The BreadBoard Company, which aims to make electronics and robotics more approachable for young learners.
“Winning Alabama Launchpad is life-changing,” Rusk said. “We are now able to move into the next stage of launching our product, which would have been far more difficult without this award.”
Rusk’s company sells hands-on electronics kits built around a redesigned circuit breadboard. His idea uses snap-on templates, simplified instructions, step-by-step lessons and video tutorials to reduce the barriers that can intimidate first-time learners.
“A breadboard has hundreds of holes, and if you don’t already know how the rows connect on the inside, it can be intimidating,” said Rusk, a volunteer and director of STEM education at TigerWings, a nonprofit with an after-school program.
“When I started making templates that cover the holes that aren’t being used, it made it a lot easier for a kid to understand,” he added.
That challenge led him to create templates that cover the unused holes so young learners can more easily see where to place each component. The goal is to help students build confidence while exploring STEM fields.
Rusk had already competed successfully in Auburn pitch competitions, winning $1,000 combined at Ideas Jam and Halloween Pitch competitions last fall, then $5,000 through the Thomas Walter Center Award at Tiger Cage this spring.
At Alabama Launchpad, The BreadBoard Company was selected from six technology-focused finalists. Other finalists included companies working on AI model integrity, prosthetic limb covers, basketball recruiting technology and AI-powered human resources tools.
Alabama Launchpad described the cycle as part of its industry-specific format for helping early-stage companies scale in Alabama.
Rusk plans to put the product to work this summer by leading hands-on lessons for children at Kidcam Camps at Chewacla Park in Auburn.
Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, has invested more than $6.6 million in 124 Alabama startups since 2006.