Startup Atlanta, We Continue to Build Our Pipeline of Talent and Help Open Doors for the Next Generation of Startup Leaders

"Atlanta is a city powered by innovation where some of the world’s best and brightest entrepreneurs are turning new ideas into businesses of the future. We are home to a thriving startup ecosystem with more than 25 early stage capacity building programs, over 20 corporate innovation centers, and the third most Fortune Global 500 headquarters. Through organizations like Invest Atlanta and Startup Atlanta, we continue to build our pipeline of talent and help open doors for the next generation of startup leaders. It’s a great time to be an entrepreneur in Atlanta."

Dr. Eloisa Klementich President and CEO Invest Atlanta Startup Atlanta Carlton Fields Introduction Overview 1 Million Cups Georgia Social Impact Collaborative 1millioncups.com/atlanta gasocialimpact.com Startup Atlanta is a community non-profit Carlton Fields is a leading provider of legal We’re excited to bring you the third Thanks to the support of our presenting Million Cups is a national initiative of the The Georgia Social Impact Map is an initiative focused on growing and connecting the and consultative services to a broad edition of the Guide to the Ecosystem, sponsor, Carlton Fields, we’re able to Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, of the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative local startup ecosystem. We host spectrum of business clients ranging from Atlanta’s most comprehensive guide to produce the Ecosystem Guide as a free and connect entrepreneurs. (GSIC), which was formed by a group of community centered events, bring startup multinational Fortune 100 companies to our local startup ecosystem! This year resource for the community! The guide is community leaders committed to developing and regional leaders together, support start-ups. we've partnered with Metro Atlanta broken down into the following sections: Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem a stronger ecosystem around impact investing atlantablacktechweek.org policies friendly to innovation and Chamber, Hypepotamus and other leaders Media and News, Groups and Events, in Georgia. By bringing together our region’s A coalition of individuals, organizations and entrepreneurs and promote corporate throughout the ecosystem to present you Places, Programs, Education and Career leaders, representing all sectors of our social companies working to define and organize involvement with the local ecosystem. more of Atlanta's vibrant community. This Resources, and a section focused on a fabric, we envision an energetic and dynamic the Black Tech community in Atlanta. year's guide includes: more resources, variety of resources to access Capital. network of resources that raises up our social Collectively we strive to improve the quality, profiles of new and emerging leaders impact ecosystem. quantity, and connections for people of within the community, and a growing list We understand that as our ecosystem is African descent in the Atlanta Tech ecosystem of terms and verbiage to know in the quickly growing, we may have unintention- Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) startup community. ally missed some organizations, players, or litatl.org Atlanta Startup Drinks The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a other resources. Please send us your input atlsuds.com group of individuals interested in and feedback at: [email protected]. Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for those developing, promoting, fostering, interested in entrepreneurship and technology. strengthening, and improving the Latino/a This guide was made possible by: tech community in Atlanta. Come hang Code for Atlanta out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos Carlton Fields codeforatlanta.org who love tech and startups. carltonﬁelds.com Code for Atlanta uses civic minded technologists, designers, and subject RitzGroup matter experts to improve Atlanta. Startup Atlanta ritzgroup.org startupatlanta.com The premier networking group connecting The Collab entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to collab.capital Design and layout by Scott Fuller of growing new businesses, creating new COLLAB was formed to create and sustain The Studio Temporary jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader wealth in the black community by thestudiotemporary.com in economic growth. developing successful tech enabled companies through effective connections Ruby Hack between minority innovators, investors, meetup.com/atlantaruby and influencers. ATLRUG is a non-profit organization of individuals interested in developing, FinTech Atlanta promoting, fostering, strengthening, and ﬁntechatlanta.org improving the Ruby programming FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies language and Ruby community. (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other organizations working to cement Atlanta as the recognized global capital of financial technology.

Technologists of Color techsofcolor.org Technologists of Color is a passionate collection of professionals from the information technology arena. The community is committed to building the African American tech community in Atlanta. Their primary goal is to connect tech professionals, entrepreneurs, "newbies" as well as "career changers" so that they can share knowledge, resources and opportunities.

Black Women in STEAM www.bwisteam.org Galvanizing the efforts of black women in science, technology, engineering, arts and math in Atlanta to build relationships, leverage networking, develop mentorship, create jobs and foster alliances in entrepreneurship and careers in STEAM. Center for Civic Innovation Community Bucket Georgia Social Impact Collaborative WITH LIKE-MINDED GROUPS Goodie Impact Accelerator INDIVIDUALS? Code for Atlanta Georgia Social Impact Collaborative LISTEN TiE Atlanta Technologists of Color Tech Talk Y’all Women In Technology HowStuWorks Coee Shop Talks 1 Million Cups Georgia Social Impact Collaborative 1millioncups.com/atlanta gasocialimpact.com BUILD YOUR Million Cups is a national initiative of the The Georgia Social Impact Map is an initiative NETWORK Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, of the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative MAKE AN and connect entrepreneurs. (GSIC), which was formed by a group of IMPACT community leaders committed to developing Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem a stronger ecosystem around impact investing WITH BEER? atlantablacktechweek.org in Georgia. By bringing together our region’s FIND OUTCOMMUNITY WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE A coalition of individuals, organizations and leaders, representing all sectors of our social companies working to define and organize fabric, we envision an energetic and dynamic READ the Black Tech community in Atlanta. network of resources that raises up our social Collectively we strive to improve the quality, Atlanta Inno impact ecosystem. Hypepotamus EVENTS quantity, and connections for people of Bitter Southerner Atlanta Startup Battle African descent in the Atlanta Tech ecosystem Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) Atlanta Startup Drinks litatl.org Atlanta Startup Village Atlanta Startup Drinks The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a Atlanta Startup Week atlsuds.com Made In Atlanta group of individuals interested in Startup Chowdown Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for those developing, promoting, fostering, The Consumer Show interested in entrepreneurship and technology. JOB BOARDS strengthening, and improving the Latino/a tech community in Atlanta. Come hang Hypepotamus GET A JOB Code for Atlanta out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos ATV Job Board codeforatlanta.org AtlantaInno Job Board who love tech and startups. Atlanta Tech Blogs JUST $$$ Code for Atlanta uses civic minded technologists, designers, and subject RitzGroup YES matter experts to improve Atlanta. FIND A PLACE ritzgroup.org The premier networking group connecting TO WORK The Collab DO YOU MONEY! entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to SHOW ME THE collab.capital FUNDING growing new businesses, creating new HAVE THE SKILLS? COLLAB was formed to create and sustain ACE Loans jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader wealth in the black community by Atlanta Tech Angels in economic growth. WHILE LEARNING Atlanta Ventures developing successful tech enabled BIP Capital companies through effective connections Engage VC Ruby Hack NOT QUITE FOCUSED GENERAL between minority innovators, investors, TechSquare Labs meetup.com/atlantaruby and influencers. More on pages 33-48 ATLRUG is a non-profit organization of individuals interested in developing, FinTech Atlanta Atlanta Tech Village ACCELERATORS promoting, fostering, strengthening, and SEE “SPACES” ON ﬁntechatlanta.org LEARN HERE The Gathering Spot PAGES 17-20 Digital Undivided improving the Ruby programming The Lola Endeavor FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies language and Ruby community. General Assembly Switchyards TechStars (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other DigitalCrafts The Farm ATL organizations working to cement Atlanta as Tech Talent South the recognized global capital of financial technology.

MEDIA & NEWS 05 / GROUPS & EVENTS 09 / PLACES 17 / EDUCATION & CAREER SCHOOLS 23 / PROGRAMS 29 / FUNDING & CAPITAL 35 / NEW ‘ROUND TOWN & DICTIONARY 45

Black Women in STEAM www.bwisteam.org Galvanizing the efforts of black women in science, technology, engineering, arts and math in Atlanta to build relationships, leverage networking, develop mentorship, create jobs and foster alliances in entrepreneurship and careers in STEAM. 1 Million Cups Georgia Social Impact Collaborative 1millioncups.com/atlanta gasocialimpact.com Million Cups is a national initiative of the The Georgia Social Impact Map is an initiative MEDIA & Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, of the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative and connect entrepreneurs. (GSIC), which was formed by a group of community leaders committed to developing NEWS Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem a stronger ecosystem around impact investing atlantablacktechweek.org in Georgia. By bringing together our region’s Looking for the scoop on the latest and A coalition of individuals, organizations and leaders, representing all sectors of our social companies working to define and organize fabric, we envision an energetic and dynamic greatest local startup stories, founder the Black Tech community in Atlanta. network of resources that raises up our social Collectively we strive to improve the quality, impact ecosystem. interviews, and the latest news? Check quantity, and connections for people of African descent in the Atlanta Tech ecosystem Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) out these local blogs, publications, litatl.org podcasts, and shows highlighting Atlanta Startup Drinks The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a atlsuds.com group of individuals interested in what’s happening in and around the Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for those developing, promoting, fostering, interested in entrepreneurship and technology. strengthening, and improving the Latino/a Atlanta startup ecosystem. tech community in Atlanta. Come hang Code for Atlanta out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos codeforatlanta.org who love tech and startups. Code for Atlanta uses civic minded technologists, designers, and subject RitzGroup matter experts to improve Atlanta. ritzgroup.org The premier networking group connecting The Collab entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to collab.capital growing new businesses, creating new COLLAB was formed to create and sustain jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader wealth in the black community by in economic growth. developing successful tech enabled companies through effective connections Ruby Hack between minority innovators, investors, meetup.com/atlantaruby and influencers. ATLRUG is a non-profit organization of individuals interested in developing, FinTech Atlanta promoting, fostering, strengthening, and ﬁntechatlanta.org improving the Ruby programming FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies language and Ruby community. (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other organizations working to cement Atlanta as the recognized global capital of financial technology.

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AfroTech HubGA Butter ATL Coee Shop Talks 1 Million Cups Georgia Social Impact Collaborative afrotech.com hubga.com butteratl.com talks.coee/playlist 1millioncups.com/atlanta gasocialimpact.com AfroTech is the first of its kind, starting Hub focuses on the news, insights trends @Butter.ATL is Atlanta’s culture channel; Coffee Shop Talks is a YouTube video Million Cups is a national initiative of the The Georgia Social Impact Map is an initiative conversations with black founders, techies and culture that are at the intersection of we cover the people and things shaping series hosted by Billy Boozer - developer, Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, of the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative and employees of the fastest-growing Georgia’s emerging technology our city. founder, and Atlanta startup advocate - and connect entrepreneurs. (GSIC), which was formed by a group of tech startups. community. Hub strives to reach that gives you greater insight into the community leaders committed to developing tech-focused innovators, entrepreneurs Digital Good Times businesses impacting your community and Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem a stronger ecosystem around impact investing Atlanta Inno and corporations through its network of digigoodtimes.com the tech leaders behind them. atlantablacktechweek.org in Georgia. By bringing together our region’s atlantainno.com branded media properties: HUBGA.com, Digital Good Times bridges the gap A coalition of individuals, organizations and leaders, representing all sectors of our social Since February 2018, we’ve been covering Hub Magazine, Hubwire, & Hubworthy. between disconnected communities by THEA companies working to define and organize fabric, we envision an energetic and dynamic and connecting the Atlanta ecosystem, spotlighting compelling stories, producing www.thea.network the Black Tech community in Atlanta. network of resources that raises up our social producing digital media and events about Hypepoptamus engaging content and hosting Part video network. Part creative Collectively we strive to improve the quality, impact ecosystem. the entrepreneurs, executives, startups, hypepotamus.com collaborative events. community. All authentic content. Sneak quantity, and connections for people of businesses, trends and topics that are the The Southeast's largest online startup behind the scenes as you connect, explore African descent in the Atlanta Tech ecosystem Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) shaping the present and future of the publication covering the latest startup Tech Talk Y'all and jump into a new culture hub: THEA. litatl.org city’s economy. news, events, people, and companies techtalkyall.com Atlanta Startup Drinks The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a throughout Atlanta’s innovation Tech Talk Y'all is a bi-weekly show with atlsuds.com group of individuals interested in Atlanta Tech Blogs ecosystem. your hosts Sanjay Parekh and Adam Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for those developing, promoting, fostering, atlantatechblogs.com Walker. Sanjay and Adam dish about interested in entrepreneurship and technology. strengthening, and improving the Latino/a Serving as the pulse for startup stories, Southeast Makers technology and often other seemingly tech community in Atlanta. Come hang Atlanta Tech Blogs is a publication that Code for Atlanta southeastmakersatl.com random topics. out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos promotes all tech startup blogs in Atlanta. codeforatlanta.org A community-driven platform aiming to who love tech and startups. document Atlanta’s new attitude toward Code for Atlanta uses civic minded Bitter Southerner technologists, designers, and subject technology, innovation and the human RitzGroup bittersoutherner.com matter experts to improve Atlanta. spirit. ritzgroup.org The Bitter Southerner is an online The premier networking group connecting magazine about the American South — The Collab Tech Square ATL entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to real stories about the real South. Their collab.capital techsquareatl.com growing new businesses, creating new Southern Hustle column brings you tales COLLAB was formed to create and sustain Tech Square ATL tells the stories about jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader of the founders, technologists, investors, wealth in the black community by the heart of the Atlanta tech scene. in economic growth. and startup champions who call the South Breakthrough talent, breakthrough ideas, developing successful tech enabled home. companies through effective connections and breakthrough companies. Ruby Hack between minority innovators, investors, meetup.com/atlantaruby and influencers. Blavity UrbanGeekz ATLRUG is a non-profit organization of blavity.com urbangeekz.com individuals interested in developing, Blavity is a tech company for forward FinTech Atlanta UrbanGeekz is a groundbreaking African promoting, fostering, strengthening, and thinking Black millennials pushing the ﬁntechatlanta.org American, Latinx, and multicultural digital improving the Ruby programming boundaries of culture and the status quo. FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies news platform focused on technology, language and Ruby community. business, science, and startups. (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other Citizen Cause organizations working to cement Atlanta as citizencause.com the recognized global capital of financial Citizen Cause is an ambitious platform technology. that focuses on crafting intentional narratives on entrepreneurs who contribute to social justice initiatives.

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Black Women in STEAM www.bwisteam.org Galvanizing the efforts of black women in science, technology, engineering, arts and math in Atlanta to build relationships, leverage networking, develop mentorship, create jobs and foster alliances in entrepreneurship and careers in STEAM. 1 Million Cups Georgia Social Impact Collaborative 1millioncups.com/atlanta gasocialimpact.com Million Cups is a national initiative of the The Georgia Social Impact Map is an initiative GROUPS & Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, of the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative and connect entrepreneurs. (GSIC), which was formed by a group of community leaders committed to developing EVENTS Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem a stronger ecosystem around impact investing atlantablacktechweek.org in Georgia. By bringing together our region’s A coalition of individuals, organizations and leaders, representing all sectors of our social Every day there’s something new and companies working to define and organize fabric, we envision an energetic and dynamic the Black Tech community in Atlanta. network of resources that raises up our social exciting happening within the dynamic Collectively we strive to improve the quality, impact ecosystem. startup ecosystem in Atlanta. Find out quantity, and connections for people of African descent in the Atlanta Tech ecosystem Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) more about events, groups, and litatl.org Atlanta Startup Drinks The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a associations that are actively meeting atlsuds.com group of individuals interested in Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for those developing, promoting, fostering, throughout the year. interested in entrepreneurship and technology. strengthening, and improving the Latino/a tech community in Atlanta. Come hang Code for Atlanta out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos codeforatlanta.org who love tech and startups. Code for Atlanta uses civic minded technologists, designers, and subject RitzGroup matter experts to improve Atlanta. ritzgroup.org The premier networking group connecting The Collab entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to collab.capital growing new businesses, creating new COLLAB was formed to create and sustain jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader wealth in the black community by in economic growth. developing successful tech enabled companies through effective connections Ruby Hack between minority innovators, investors, meetup.com/atlantaruby and influencers. ATLRUG is a non-profit organization of individuals interested in developing, FinTech Atlanta promoting, fostering, strengthening, and ﬁntechatlanta.org improving the Ruby programming FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies language and Ruby community. (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other organizations working to cement Atlanta as the recognized global capital of financial technology.

1 Million Cups Georgia Social Impact Collaborative Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative MIT Enterprise Forum 1millioncups.com/atlanta gasocialimpact.com http://atlantawealthbuilding.org/ mitforumatlanta.org Million Cups is a national initiative of the The Georgia Social Impact Map is an initiative AWBI seeks to reimagine economic The MIT Enterprise Forum's mission is to Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, of the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative realities in communities of color through inform, connect, and coach technology and connect entrepreneurs. (GSIC), which was formed by a group of community wealth building strategies that entrepreneurs—enabling them to rapidly community leaders committed to developing powerfully leverage people, capital and transform ideas into world-changing Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem a stronger ecosystem around impact investing ideas. companies. Inspired by MIT, and open to atlantablacktechweek.org in Georgia. By bringing together our region’s the world. A coalition of individuals, organizations and leaders, representing all sectors of our social Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) companies working to define and organize fabric, we envision an energetic and dynamic eoatlanta.com Technology Association of Georgia the Black Tech community in Atlanta. network of resources that raises up our social EO’s Accelerator program enables tagonline.org Collectively we strive to improve the quality, impact ecosystem. first-stage entrepreneurs to catapult your TAG is a world-class membership quantity, and connections for people of business to the next level. Empowering organization and an engine for economic African descent in the Atlanta Tech ecosystem Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) development for the state of Georgia. entrepreneurs with the tools needed to litatl.org grow their business to more than $1 Atlanta Startup Drinks The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a TiE Atlanta million in sales and provide you with the atlsuds.com group of individuals interested in atlanta.tie.org skills to make yourself a better Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for those developing, promoting, fostering, TiE is a non-profit, global community entrepreneur and leader. interested in entrepreneurship and technology. strengthening, and improving the Latino/a welcoming entrepreneurs from all over the tech community in Atlanta. Come hang world to change the face of entrepreneurship Code for Atlanta Invest Atlanta out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos and growing business through their five codeforatlanta.org investatlanta.com who love tech and startups. Invest Atlanta advances Atlanta's global pillars; mentoring, networking, education, Code for Atlanta uses civic minded competitiveness by growing a strong incubating and funding. technologists, designers, and subject RitzGroup matter experts to improve Atlanta. economy, building vibrant communities, ritzgroup.org Women Only Entrepreneurs (WOE) and increasing economic prosperity for all The premier networking group connecting woeatl.com The Collab Atlantans. entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to W.O.E. is galvanizing unstoppable women by collab.capital growing new businesses, creating new bringing a fresh and authentic vibe to a COLLAB was formed to create and sustain Launchpad2X jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader growing community of female founders who wealth in the black community by launchpad2x.com in economic growth. Launchpad2x is an entrepreneurial are not afraid to shine a light on the inner developing successful tech enabled ecosystem supporting women who are work it takes to create outward success. companies through effective connections Ruby Hack between minority innovators, investors, founders/leaders/ majority owners of their meetup.com/atlantaruby Women in Technology (WIT) and influencers. startup and emerging businesses. ATLRUG is a non-profit organization of mywit.org individuals interested in developing, WIT's mission is to serve as passionate FinTech Atlanta Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce promoting, fostering, strengthening, and advocates for women of all ages in ﬁntechatlanta.org metroatlantachamber.com improving the Ruby programming Georgia’s STEAM community. WIT FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies MAC works to position metro Atlanta as a language and Ruby community. top-tier global region by focusing on three passionately supports women at every (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other key areas: economic development, public stage of their STEAM careers—from the organizations working to cement Atlanta as policy and promotion. classroom to the boardroom. They do this the recognized global capital of financial by telling the stories of successful women technology. and by helping more women write their own.

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Black Women in STEAM www.bwisteam.org Galvanizing the efforts of black women in science, technology, engineering, arts and math in Atlanta to build relationships, leverage networking, develop mentorship, create jobs and foster alliances in entrepreneurship and careers in STEAM. 1 Million Cups Georgia Social Impact Collaborative 1millioncups.com/atlanta gasocialimpact.com Million Cups is a national initiative of the The Georgia Social Impact Map is an initiative Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, of the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative and connect entrepreneurs. (GSIC), which was formed by a group of community leaders committed to developing Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem a stronger ecosystem around impact investing atlantablacktechweek.org in Georgia. By bringing together our region’s A coalition of individuals, organizations and leaders, representing all sectors of our social companies working to define and organize fabric, we envision an energetic and dynamic the Black Tech community in Atlanta. network of resources that raises up our social Collectively we strive to improve the quality, impact ecosystem. quantity, and connections for people of African descent in the Atlanta Tech ecosystem Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) litatl.org Atlanta Startup Drinks The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a atlsuds.com group of individuals interested in Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for those developing, promoting, fostering, interested in entrepreneurship and technology. strengthening, and improving the Latino/a tech community in Atlanta. Come hang Code for Atlanta out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos codeforatlanta.org who love tech and startups. Code for Atlanta uses civic minded technologists, designers, and subject RitzGroup matter experts to improve Atlanta. ritzgroup.org The premier networking group connecting The Collab entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to collab.capital growing new businesses, creating new COLLAB was formed to create and sustain jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader wealth in the black community by in economic growth. developing successful tech enabled companies through effective connections Ruby Hack between minority innovators, investors, meetup.com/atlantaruby and influencers. ATLRUG is a non-profit organization of individuals interested in developing, FinTech Atlanta promoting, fostering, strengthening, and ﬁntechatlanta.org improving the Ruby programming FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies language and Ruby community. (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other organizations working to cement Atlanta as the recognized global capital of financial technology.

GROUPS GROUPS & EVENTS & EVENTS GROUPS/EVENTS EVENTS

Technologists of Color Annual Atlanta Service Jam Atlanta Startup Village Local Collective RAISE Forum Startup Runway The Consumer Show techsofcolor.org meetup.com/Service-Design-Network-Atl meetup.com/Atlanta-Startup-Village meetatroam.com/blog/announcing- raiseforum.com startuprunway.co theconsumer.show Technologists of Color is a passionate anta/events/259127889/ Atlanta Startup Village is a Atlanta’s largest roams-new-event-series-local-collective/ RAISE Forum introduces the best Judges grant a $10,000, strings-free prize The Consumer Show is hosted by collection of professionals from the Atlanta Service Jam is a collaborative monthly pitch event designed to discuss Local Collective is a monthly event hosted companies to interested and active check supported by sponsor donations. Switchyards and highlights five B2C information technology arena. The design weekend where interdisciplinary roadblocks and solutions to improve within by Roam which brings an Atlanta leader to investors in a concise and efficient day of startups every month. community is committed to building the teams concept, prototype, and present new the entrepreneurial process through a five share their personal experiences and formal presentations and informal TAG Annual Summit African American tech community in service ideas in a high energy, innovative minute business pitch model. industry knowledge for the betterment of consultations. Candidates also receive tagsummit.com Venture Atlanta Atlanta. Their primary goal is to connect environment. Along with locations around the community as a whole. mentoring from professors and local The Summit is an invitation to engage with the ventureatlanta.org tech professionals, entrepreneurs, the world, we imagine solutions that could Atlanta Startup Week business professionals. tech community! It provides an opportunity to The region’s largest investor showcase "newbies" as well as "career changers" so change lives and take time to make friends atlanta.startupweek.co Made In Atlanta learn, meet, and discover new ways for your connects entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, that they can share knowledge, resources in the process! A five day celebration of the startup medium.com/switchyards-downtown-clu RIoT Atlanta company to get involved, develop relationships, bankers, and angel investors who can help and opportunities. community, Atlanta Startup week was b/made-in-atlanta-e58a7a57e108 meetup.com/RIoT-Atlanta/events and identify potential partnerships. The Summit raise capital needed to grown businesses. ATDC Entrepreneurs Night designed for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs. Made in Atlanta is a popular monthly event Discover the IoT trends impacting—and allows you to ‘be in the know’ on who is leading Black Women in STEAM atdc.org/atdc-news/entreperneurs-night series about the best brands made right poised to disrupt—the sports and the industry in innovation and inspiring what’s www.bwisteam.org Entrepreneurs' Night is a fun, informal event ATL Tech Gives Back here in Atlanta. The night’s focus is on a entertainment industries. At RIoT XXXIII, we’ll next in technology. Galvanizing the efforts of black women in held every month at ATDC filled with some atltechgivesback.com brand story. Specifically, stories and highlight projects from the most innovative Get out of the office for a day, mix and science, technology, engineering, arts and of the best networking for Georgia’s anecdotes that aren’t discussed often. How organizations in these spaces, spotlighting TechGroove mingle with your fellow techies, and give math in Atlanta to build relationships, technology startup entrepreneurs, complete great Atlanta brands are made, how they current tech and previewing what’s next. techgroovefest.com leverage networking, develop mentorship, with food and drinks. back to our city at the same time! Offered think, how they act. A look into their soul. TechGroove, where Tech meets Turn Up, is a monthly from March thru October, Tech creative space for students and urban create jobs and foster alliances in Siggie Awards entrepreneurship and careers in STEAM. ATDC Startup Showcase Gives Back harnesses the power of Atlanta’s Network Under 40: Atlanta siggieawards.com professionals seeking to make connections atdcstartupshowcase.com passionate tech community for the greater networkunder40.com/atlanta/ The “Siggie”awards recognize some of the and nurture authentic relationships (rather The ATDC Startup Showcase gathers good. Network Under 40: Atlanta exists at the unsung heroes in the Atlanta startup than false professional personas) that entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders to intersection of friendship and business. We community: early-stage investors. advance their careers in the tech industry. discover startups and showcase their Civic Dinners understand that we live in a connection technologies. civicdinners.com economy and the foundation to success in Startup Atlanta Tech In Motion Atlanta Meetup We believe meaningful conversation over career and personal life hinges on genuine startupatlanta.com meetup.com/techinmotionatlanta Atlanta Startup Battle food can spark real and lasting change. relationships with real people. Our mission is to introduce, connect, Tech in Motion is broad by design, the goal of atlantastartupbattle.com That’s why we make it easy for anyone, support, and expand the entrepreneurial this group is to be interactive and allow A free-to-enter competition for tech anywhere, to bring people together for Pitch Atlanta ecosystem within the greater Atlanta region technology enthusiasts to learn from other startups, Atlanta Startup Battle creates conversations that matter. pitchatlanta.com to bolster the creation of jobs, companies professionals, have questions answered in funding opportunities at the earliest stage. A one day experience at Atlanta Tech Village and wealth. real-time, discover new tech, and hear stories An all day mentoring session for the top 10, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Southeast that connects 20 of the best early stage local that inspire. This group is a place for tech and a $100,000 investment in the winner ey.com/en_us/entrepreneur-of-the-year/ startups with top tier investors in a dynamic and Startup Chowdown professionals who wouldn’t normally cross are key components to its approach to southeast/overview exclusive event with true Atlanta style. atlantatechvillage.com/events/startup- paths to meet, collaborate, and learn about company building. Through the Entrepreneur Of The Year® chowdown what their peers are doing across the city. program, we recognize and celebrate Pitch Practice Notorious for its incredibly long lines and Atlanta Inno's 50 on Fire unstoppable entrepreneurs who redefine pitchpractice.co catered lunches, Startup Chowdown TEDxAtlanta americaninno.com/atlanta/events/ the way we live, work and play. Pitch Practice allows individuals to practice their welcomes all entrepreneurs to network with tedxatlanta.com atlanata-innos-50-on-ﬁre-2019 pitch and receive feedback from their peers one another and and become actively As the new TEDxAtlanta, we remain focused Across all of American Inno, 50 on Fire is FinTech South every Friday after ATV’s Startup Chowdown. engaged within the startup community on creating experiences that spark deep our premier awards event, honoring the ﬁntechsouth.com every Friday at Atlanta Tech Village. discussion, connections, collaborations and influential people and fast-growing FinTech South is a global exchange of that lasting impact. At our annual flagship businesses that are driving our cities insights, innovations and trends fueling conference, we seek to bring a TED-like forward. tomorrow's financial tech industry. experience through live speakers from Georgia and beyond, and recorded TED Talks.

13 14 1 Million Cups Georgia Social Impact Collaborative 1millioncups.com/atlanta gasocialimpact.com Million Cups is a national initiative of the The Georgia Social Impact Map is an initiative Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, of the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative and connect entrepreneurs. (GSIC), which was formed by a group of community leaders committed to developing Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem a stronger ecosystem around impact investing atlantablacktechweek.org in Georgia. By bringing together our region’s A coalition of individuals, organizations and leaders, representing all sectors of our social companies working to define and organize fabric, we envision an energetic and dynamic the Black Tech community in Atlanta. network of resources that raises up our social Collectively we strive to improve the quality, impact ecosystem. quantity, and connections for people of African descent in the Atlanta Tech ecosystem Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) litatl.org Atlanta Startup Drinks The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a atlsuds.com group of individuals interested in Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for those developing, promoting, fostering, interested in entrepreneurship and technology. strengthening, and improving the Latino/a tech community in Atlanta. Come hang Code for Atlanta out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos codeforatlanta.org who love tech and startups. Code for Atlanta uses civic minded technologists, designers, and subject RitzGroup matter experts to improve Atlanta. ritzgroup.org The premier networking group connecting The Collab entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to collab.capital growing new businesses, creating new COLLAB was formed to create and sustain jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader wealth in the black community by in economic growth. developing successful tech enabled companies through effective connections Ruby Hack between minority innovators, investors, meetup.com/atlantaruby and influencers. ATLRUG is a non-profit organization of individuals interested in developing, FinTech Atlanta promoting, fostering, strengthening, and ﬁntechatlanta.org improving the Ruby programming FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies language and Ruby community. (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other organizations working to cement Atlanta as the recognized global capital of financial technology.

GROUPS GROUPS & EVENTS & EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS

15 16 1 Million Cups Georgia Social Impact Collaborative 1millioncups.com/atlanta gasocialimpact.com Million Cups is a national initiative of the The Georgia Social Impact Map is an initiative Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, of the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative and connect entrepreneurs. (GSIC), which was formed by a group of community leaders committed to developing Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem a stronger ecosystem around impact investing atlantablacktechweek.org in Georgia. By bringing together our region’s A coalition of individuals, organizations and leaders, representing all sectors of our social companies working to define and organize fabric, we envision an energetic and dynamic the Black Tech community in Atlanta. network of resources that raises up our social Collectively we strive to improve the quality, impact ecosystem. quantity, and connections for people of African descent in the Atlanta Tech ecosystem Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) litatl.org Atlanta Startup Drinks The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a atlsuds.com group of individuals interested in Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for those developing, promoting, fostering, interested in entrepreneurship and technology. strengthening, and improving the Latino/a tech community in Atlanta. Come hang Code for Atlanta out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos codeforatlanta.org who love tech and startups. Code for Atlanta uses civic minded technologists, designers, and subject RitzGroup matter experts to improve Atlanta. ritzgroup.org The premier networking group connecting The Collab entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to collab.capital growing new businesses, creating new COLLAB was formed to create and sustain jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader wealth in the black community by in economic growth. developing successful tech enabled companies through effective connections Ruby Hack between minority innovators, investors, meetup.com/atlantaruby and influencers. ATLRUG is a non-profit organization of individuals interested in developing, FinTech Atlanta promoting, fostering, strengthening, and ﬁntechatlanta.org improving the Ruby programming FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies language and Ruby community. (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other organizations working to cement Atlanta as the recognized global capital of financial technology.

Technologists of Color techsofcolor.org Technologists of Color is a passionate collection of professionals from the PLACES information technology arena. The community is committed to building the African American tech community in With over 30 startup-focused Atlanta. Their primary goal is to connect tech professionals, entrepreneurs, workspaces in and around the ATL, "newbies" as well as "career changers" so that they can share knowledge, resources you can work from practically and opportunities. anywhere you’d like. Take a look at the Black Women in STEAM many co-working spaces, clubs, and www.bwisteam.org Galvanizing the efforts of black women in even co-living opportunities within our science, technology, engineering, arts and math in Atlanta to build relationships, ecosystem to ﬁnd the right community leverage networking, develop mentorship, for your needs. create jobs and foster alliances in entrepreneurship and careers in STEAM.

17 1 Million Cups Georgia Social Impact Collaborative 1millioncups.com/atlanta gasocialimpact.com Million Cups is a national initiative of the The Georgia Social Impact Map is an initiative Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, of the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative and connect entrepreneurs. (GSIC), which was formed by a group of community leaders committed to developing Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem a stronger ecosystem around impact investing atlantablacktechweek.org in Georgia. By bringing together our region’s A coalition of individuals, organizations and leaders, representing all sectors of our social companies working to define and organize fabric, we envision an energetic and dynamic the Black Tech community in Atlanta. network of resources that raises up our social Collectively we strive to improve the quality, impact ecosystem. quantity, and connections for people of African descent in the Atlanta Tech ecosystem Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) litatl.org Atlanta Startup Drinks The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a atlsuds.com group of individuals interested in Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for those developing, promoting, fostering, interested in entrepreneurship and technology. strengthening, and improving the Latino/a tech community in Atlanta. Come hang Code for Atlanta out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos codeforatlanta.org who love tech and startups. Code for Atlanta uses civic minded technologists, designers, and subject RitzGroup matter experts to improve Atlanta. ritzgroup.org The premier networking group connecting The Collab entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to collab.capital growing new businesses, creating new COLLAB was formed to create and sustain jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader wealth in the black community by in economic growth. developing successful tech enabled companies through effective connections Ruby Hack between minority innovators, investors, meetup.com/atlantaruby and influencers. ATLRUG is a non-profit organization of individuals interested in developing, FinTech Atlanta promoting, fostering, strengthening, and ﬁntechatlanta.org improving the Ruby programming FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies language and Ruby community. (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other organizations working to cement Atlanta as the recognized global capital of financial technology.

PLACES PLACES MEMBERSHIP CO-WORKING/ SHARED WORKSPACES

Technologists of Color Aftercar Generator Tech Square ATL 3411 Coworking Constellations techsofcolor.org Generator is a nonprofit focused on ideas 848 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, GA 3411coworking.com constellations.community Technologists of Color is a passionate about the future of cities. Tech Square ATL is membership 3411 Coworking is a shared workspace in Constellations is a civic, social, & business collection of professionals from the community dedicated to connecting you the heart of Downtown Chamblee, one of galaxy where stars come together and information technology arena. The Atlanta Tech Village (ATV) to people at the heart of Atlanta’s tech the most vibrant cities in Georgia. shine. Offering co-working, dedicated community is committed to building the 3423 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 scene. Enjoy special events and a 3411 Pierce Dr #100, Chamblee, GA 30341 desks, private offices & studies, shared African American tech community in Atlanta Tech Village is building a thriving collaborative workspace. Membership is workspace and fresh cookies. Atlanta. Their primary goal is to connect ecosystem in the tech community. Their open to anyone who believes in the Alkaloid Networks 135 Auburn Ave NE 2nd Floor tech professionals, entrepreneurs, mission is to support and inspire importance of coming together with alkaloid.net Atlanta, GA 30303 "newbies" as well as "career changers" so entrepreneurs to achieve success through people from different fields to learn from, Alkaloid Networks is Atlanta’s friendly that they can share knowledge, resources a community that promotes faster collaborate with, and inspire each other. coworking community on the Beltline. Decatur CoWorks and opportunities. connections between talent, ideas and 691 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE C decaturcoworks.com/en capital. Tech Alpharetta Atlanta, GA 30312 Decatur CoWorks is a place to work, learn and Black Women in STEAM 2972 Webb Bridge Road, share. With prices starting at $80/month. www.bwisteam.org The Circuit Alpharetta, GA 30009 Atlanta Tech Park 708 Church St, Decatur, GA 30030 Galvanizing the efforts of black women in 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock, GA 30188 At the time of its formation in 2012, the atlantatechpark.com science, technology, engineering, arts and The Circuit, a new space in Woodstock, City’s predominant industry was, and Atlanta Tech Park is a global collaborative Digital Ignition math in Atlanta to build relationships, provides a gathering point and physical continues to be, technology, and the City workspace with offices, dedicated open digitalignition.com leverage networking, develop mentorship, space for entrepreneurs and startups. is home to more than 640 technology space and memberships designed to Digital Ignition offers tech entrepreneurs a create jobs and foster alliances in companies. The ATC consisted of a promote growth. Located in Peachtree place to create, develop, network, and entrepreneurship and careers in STEAM. The Gathering Spot strategic advisory board of local tech Corner’s new innovation hub just outside thrive. They are focused on providing 384 Northyards Boulevard Northwest C-levels charged with identifying and the perimeter, their diverse membership early-stage tech companies with a working Building 100, Atlanta, GA, 30313 pursue key investment opportunities and community of executives, professionals environment that is conducive to The Gathering Spot is an Atlanta based policy decisions for the City’s technology and entrepreneurs provides access to innovation, sharing, flexibility, and growth. invite-only private membership club companies and its robust technology connect and innovate. 190 Bluegrass Valley Pkwy established to connect a network of sector. 107 Technology Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005 creators, disruptors, entrepreneurs, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 executives, artists and forward thinkers The Lola Elevator Factory who want to elevate their professional and 621 North Avenue NE D-100 Berthold Builiding elevatorfactory.com social lives. Atlanta, GA 30308 bertholdbuilding.com/en Elevator Factory’s collaborative space is We’re building the old boys club for Located a half block from the corner of made for individuals, teams, and events of IgniteHQ women… in a way that works for us. Ponce de Leon at Monroe, the Berthold all creative backgrounds. 57 Waddell St SE, Marietta, GA 30060 Powerful things happen when women Building is the small office/shared space 437 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 IgniteHQ connects startups and come together. The Lola is a Members for super heroes & entrepreneurs. entrepreneurs with international Club, workspace and community where 741 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 Flatiron City accelerators, funding opportunities and women can come together and invest in ﬂatironcity.com talent to scale globally. We accelerate themselves. Circle+Moon The Flatiron Building, ‘FlatironCity’, is a startups, cultivate job growth and provide circleandmoon.com melting pot for entrepreneurs and market expansion resources in the SE. Circle + Moon is a work & community corporations. The refurbished office space for women in the breathtaking Loft building houses a diverse tenant base Switchyards/Switchyards West End on the Square in Historic Downtown including the WEI an incubator for women 151 Ted Turner Dr NW, Atlanta, GA Roswell. founded companies and B2B start-ups 691 W Whitehall St SW, Atlanta, GA 595 Atlanta Street unit A and B who are increasing economic productivity Switchyards is a members-only consumer Roswell, GA 30075 in the airlines, logistics, chemical/refinery, & design-focused club dedicated to digital advertising and music industries. creating more B2C winners 84 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

19 20 1 Million Cups Georgia Social Impact Collaborative 1millioncups.com/atlanta gasocialimpact.com Million Cups is a national initiative of the The Georgia Social Impact Map is an initiative Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, of the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative and connect entrepreneurs. (GSIC), which was formed by a group of community leaders committed to developing Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem a stronger ecosystem around impact investing atlantablacktechweek.org in Georgia. By bringing together our region’s A coalition of individuals, organizations and leaders, representing all sectors of our social companies working to define and organize fabric, we envision an energetic and dynamic the Black Tech community in Atlanta. network of resources that raises up our social Collectively we strive to improve the quality, impact ecosystem. quantity, and connections for people of African descent in the Atlanta Tech ecosystem Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) litatl.org Atlanta Startup Drinks The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a atlsuds.com group of individuals interested in Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for those developing, promoting, fostering, interested in entrepreneurship and technology. strengthening, and improving the Latino/a tech community in Atlanta. Come hang Code for Atlanta out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos codeforatlanta.org who love tech and startups. Code for Atlanta uses civic minded technologists, designers, and subject RitzGroup matter experts to improve Atlanta. ritzgroup.org The premier networking group connecting The Collab entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to collab.capital growing new businesses, creating new COLLAB was formed to create and sustain jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader wealth in the black community by in economic growth. developing successful tech enabled companies through effective connections Ruby Hack between minority innovators, investors, meetup.com/atlantaruby and influencers. ATLRUG is a non-profit organization of individuals interested in developing, FinTech Atlanta promoting, fostering, strengthening, and ﬁntechatlanta.org improving the Ruby programming FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies language and Ruby community. (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other organizations working to cement Atlanta as the recognized global capital of financial technology.

PLACES PLACES CO-WORKING/SHARED WORKSPACES/CO-LIVING WORKSPACES

Technologists of Color IgniteHQ Post-Oce Cowork SharedSpace ATL The Globe Hub techsofcolor.org ignitehq.co post-oce-cowork.com sharedspaceatl.com theglobehub.com Technologists of Color is a passionate IgniteHQ connects startups and Currently located in Underground Atlanta, SharedSpace is a coworking space designed he Globe Hub is a coworking space that collection of professionals from the entrepreneurs with international Post Office is ATL's first pop up coworking for start-up companies, especially those in promotes high energy, hard work, and information technology arena. The accelerators, funding opportunities and space allowing users to purchase pass an early stage (1-15 employees). Locations in creative innovation. community is committed to building the talent to scale globally. We accelerate packs to be used at any of their locations. Dunwoody & Galleria. 1954 Airport Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341 African American tech community in startups, cultivate job growth and provide 86 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 SharedSpace Dunwoody - 4470 Atlanta. Their primary goal is to connect market expansion resources in the SE. Chamblee Dunwoody Rd #510, Atlanta, WeWork tech professionals, entrepreneurs, wework.com/l/atlanta--GA 57 Waddell St SE, Marietta, GA 30060 Roam GA 30338 / SharedSpace Cobb - 2424 "newbies" as well as "career changers" so meetatroam.com WeWork provides workspace, community, Herodian Way Atlanta, GA 30080 that they can share knowledge, resources Industrious Roam is the innovator’s workplace, a and services for a global network of and opportunities. industriousoce.com/city/atlanta meeting and gathering experience for the creators. SPACES With four locations and more than 800 new workforce, located in five locations spacesworks.com WeWork Tower Place - 3340 Peachtree members, Industrious is Atlanta's largest Black Women in STEAM across metro Atlanta. SPACES is a creative platform for an Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 / WeWork community for coworking and shared office www.bwisteam.org Roam Alpharetta - 5815 Windward Pkwy international entrepreneurial community. Colony Square - 1175 Peachtree St NW, Galvanizing the efforts of black women in space. Members enjoy complimentary #302, Alpharetta, GA 30005 / Roam They offer dynamic work areas for you to Atlanta, GA 30361 / WeWork 1372 science, technology, engineering, arts and access to all their workspaces across the Dunwoody - 1155 Mount Vernon Hwy NE, think, create and grow. Peachtree - 1372 Peachtree St NW, math in Atlanta to build relationships, city - and the country. Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30338 / Roam SPACES Midtown - 715 Peachtree St NW Atlanta, GA 30309 leverage networking, develop mentorship, Industrious Buckhead - 309 East Paces Buckhead - 3365 Piedmont Rd NE Suite 2nd FLSuite 100, Atlanta, GA 30308 / create jobs and foster alliances in Ferry Rd NE Suite 400, Atlanta, GA entrepreneurship and careers in STEAM. 1400, Atlanta, GA 30305 / Roam Galleria SPACES at The Battery - 800 Battery Ave 30305 / Industrious Midtown - 1447 - 3101 Cobb Pkwy #124, Atlanta, GA SE, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30339 Peachtree St NW Suite 700, Atlanta, GA 30339 / Roam Perimeter Center - 1151 CO-LIVING 30309 / Industrious Ponce City Market - Strongbox West Hammond Dr NE Suite 240, Atlanta, GA Co-Lab Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De Leon strongboxwest.com 30346 Co-LaB creates co-living spaces for Ave NE #8500, Atlanta, GA 30308 / Strongbox West is Atlanta's finest cowork optimized social interaction, shared Industrious West Midtown - 976 Brady facility, providing comfortable, professional, SharedSpace ATL resources and collaboration. We develop & affordable shared work space. Ave NW Ste. 100, Atlanta, GA 30318 / SharedSpace is a coworking space enriched living experiences for individuals to 1040 West Marietta St NW Industrious Perimeter - 7000 Central designed for start-up companies, develop their ventures and holistically grow Atlanta, GA 30318 Parkway, Suite 1100, Atlanta, GA 30328 especially those in an early stage (1-15 themselves as leaders. employees). Locations in Dunwoody & Tech Square Labs NEX Atlanta Galleria. DreamHouse nexatlanta.com techsquare.co SharedSpace Dunwoody - 4470 DreamHouse sets out to build co-living NEX is a coworking space in the Grant Tech Square Labs provides coworking Chamblee Dunwoody Rd #510, Atlanta, spaces that bring together entrepreneurs Park neighborhood of Atlanta and is a space, company building, and early stage from all stages to live, work, and grow under self-described community of nerds, GA 30338 / SharedSpace Cobb - 2424 investing. the same roof. creatives, tech companies and Herodian Way Atlanta, GA 30080 859 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308 entrepreneurs. The Guild The Circuit 318 Cherokee Ave SE #104 The Guild is a social enterprise developing circuitwoodstock.com Atlanta, GA 30312 The Circuit, a new space in Woodstock, co-living spaces + holistic accelerator provides a gathering point and physical programs to empower changemakers and space for entrepreneurs and startups. build resilient communities. 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock, GA 30188

21 22 1 Million Cups Georgia Social Impact Collaborative 1millioncups.com/atlanta gasocialimpact.com Million Cups is a national initiative of the The Georgia Social Impact Map is an initiative Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, of the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative and connect entrepreneurs. (GSIC), which was formed by a group of community leaders committed to developing Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem a stronger ecosystem around impact investing atlantablacktechweek.org in Georgia. By bringing together our region’s A coalition of individuals, organizations and leaders, representing all sectors of our social companies working to define and organize fabric, we envision an energetic and dynamic the Black Tech community in Atlanta. network of resources that raises up our social Collectively we strive to improve the quality, impact ecosystem. quantity, and connections for people of African descent in the Atlanta Tech ecosystem Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) litatl.org Atlanta Startup Drinks The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a atlsuds.com group of individuals interested in Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for those developing, promoting, fostering, interested in entrepreneurship and technology. strengthening, and improving the Latino/a tech community in Atlanta. Come hang Code for Atlanta out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos codeforatlanta.org who love tech and startups. Code for Atlanta uses civic minded technologists, designers, and subject RitzGroup matter experts to improve Atlanta. ritzgroup.org The premier networking group connecting The Collab entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to collab.capital growing new businesses, creating new COLLAB was formed to create and sustain jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader wealth in the black community by in economic growth. developing successful tech enabled companies through effective connections Ruby Hack between minority innovators, investors, meetup.com/atlantaruby and influencers. ATLRUG is a non-profit organization of individuals interested in developing, FinTech Atlanta promoting, fostering, strengthening, and ﬁntechatlanta.org improving the Ruby programming FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies language and Ruby community. (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other organizations working to cement Atlanta as the recognized global capital of financial technology.

Technologists of Color techsofcolor.org Technologists of Color is a passionate collection of professionals from the EDUCATION & information technology arena. The community is committed to building the African American tech community in CAREER Atlanta. Their primary goal is to connect tech professionals, entrepreneurs, "newbies" as well as "career changers" so RESOURCES that they can share knowledge, resources and opportunities.

Black Women in STEAM Whether you're still a student or www.bwisteam.org Galvanizing the efforts of black women in looking to gain new skills for a career science, technology, engineering, arts and shift, the ecosystem is here for you. math in Atlanta to build relationships, leverage networking, develop mentorship, Discover local coding & design schools create jobs and foster alliances in entrepreneurship and careers in STEAM. as well as what university resources are available within the community.

23 EDUCATION & EDUCATION & CAREER SCHOOLS CAREER RESOURCES CAREER SCHOOLS/MENTORSHIP UNIVERSITY

Black Men Code Flatiron School Small Business Development Center E-House blackmencode.org ﬂatironschool.com georgiasbdc.org eni.gsu.edu/ehouse Black Men Code is a fiscally sponsored, At Flatiron School you learn how the The Small Business Development Center The Entrepreneurship House (E-House) non-profit, social benefit organization. future is being built, so you can change (SBDC) provides tools, training and Living Learning Community provides Their mission is to provide free and anything, starting with a new career in resources to help small businesses grow students at Georgia State University with low-cost training in computer code, data sciecne, or UX/UI design. and succeed. The SBDC has 17 offices entrepreneurial ambitions the chance to programming that inspires and motivates ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve live, learn, and connect with others who Black men to: (1) pursue education in Tech Talent South the needs of Georgia’s business share similar interests and aspirations. STEM fields and (2) participate in the techtalentsouth.com community. Since 1977, their network of E-House is located in the University innovation economy through Tech Talent South is a southern-based partners has helped construct a statewide Commons housing complex. entrepreneurship. tech education company that offers ecosystem to foster the spirit, support, programs ranging from 8-week, full-time and success of hundreds of thousands of Emory Startup Launch Accelerator Big Nerd Ranch code immersion bootcamps to 2-day data entrepreneurs and innovators. emorystartup.com bignerdranch.com/training analysis workshops. The Emory Startup Launch accelerator The Big Nerd Ranch functions as a Clark Atlanta University Center for program is offered this fall (2018) to guide development agency providing Thinkful Innovation & Entrepreneurial early stage founders through a defined end-to-end mobile solutions for a range of thinkful.com/bootcamp/atlanta Development (CIED) process that will help teams rapidly take app development projects and they also Thinkful is where world-class online visidel.cau.edu/rsp/research-centers/innov their ideas and test them with customers offer two types of programming classes: technology curriculum meets a real-world ation-and-entrepreneurial-development/ to discard, change and build a business At the CIED we take students through the public bootcamps and private corporate professional network. Thinkful hosts model to move the startup forward. lean start up and Business Model Canvas training. meetups in several locations throughout downtown and midtown Atlanta, as well methodology to develop their business Emory Entrepreneur & Venture ideas. We Coach students through the Digital Crafts as surrounding areas like Alpharetta and Management (EEVM) digitalcrafts.com Buckhead, to build a strong community start-up process and then provide qualifying eevm.org DigitalCrafts is a top-rated coding amongst our students, mentors, and hiring students the opportunity to pitch their Emory Entrepreneurship & Venture bootcamp with campuses in Atlanta, GA partners. Every week, they host free business idea before investors during our Management is Emory's first campus-wide and Houston, TX. events for beginner and intermediate hackathon and business pitch competitions. organization that directly promotes an learners and special events for members. entrepreneurial atmosphere on campus. General Assembly CREATE-X EEVM was founded in May 2013 and since generalassemb.ly/atlanta SCORE create-x.gatech.edu/front then, has become the fastest growing General Assembly offers full-time courses, atlanta.score.org CREATE-X is an initiative designed to organization at Emory by hosting events part-time courses, and workshops in At SCORE whether you’re just starting out, build entrepreneurial confidence among like Startup Crunch, Innovation Series, and coding, data science, design, digital in business, or ready to sell or retire, you students at Georgia Tech. Startups going hackATL. marketing, and product management. can get FREE, confidential, business through CREATE-X programs have raised advice from expert advisors committed to outside capital, executed successful Emory Entrepreneurship Georgia Tech Bootcamp helping you succeed. Meet face-to-face in crowdfunding campaigns, and secured entrepreneurship.emory.edu bootcamp.pe.gatech.edu one of our mentoring locations or connect large corporate clients. The Emory Entrepreneurship, housed in Georgia Tech Boot Camps equip you with with one of our online mentors. the Goizueta business school is a strategic essential skills to help guide you down a CAU CREATE initiative to develop and support path to success. With strategically www.cau.edu/CREATE entrepreneurial aspirations for students at engineered curricula, face-to-face CREATE is a 12-week incubator and every stage of their careers and at each interaction, and knowledgeable accelerator for ventures focused on food phase of venture creation. instructors, we provide an educational and beverages, food/beverage experience that will help you find a path to production, food distribution, indoor success. agriculture, food safety, community kitchens, food truck operation and other related opportunities whether in the ideation or early stage all the way to exit. 25 26 EDUCATION & CAREER EDUCATION & CAREER RESOURCES RESOURCES UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY/JOB BOARD

Georgia State Entrepreneurship & Morehouse College Entrepreneurship Startup Exchange Atlanta Tech Blogs Innovation Institute Center (MCEC) startup.exchange atlantatechblogs.com eni.gsu.edu mcecenter.com Startup Exchange is the largest student Serving as the pulse for startup stories, Dedicated to engagement, innovation and The Morehouse College Entrepreneurship entrepreneurial community at Georgia Atlanta Tech Blogs is a publication that impact through entrepreneurship, the Center is a global model for higher Tech. They support and inspire our promotes all tech startup blogs in Atlanta. Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute education and industry collaborations, students to create and develop their blends education and application through programs that connect education with ventures. They promote entrepreneurship Atlanta Inno Career Directory undergraduate and graduate courses, student leadership development, and education at Georgia Tech by organizing americaninno.com/atlanta/careers panel and guest speaker events, community-focused resources and support. speaker events, workshops, and panels for Careers Directory. Browse for job competitions, student organizations, a students. They connect students with openings in your local ecosystem. living-learning community, and Shore Entrepreneurship Center startups through their network of fellow incubation/acceleration. coles.kennesaw.edu/ec/ students, founders, and mentors. ATV Job Board At the Robin and Doug Shore atlantatechvillage.com/community/about- us/job-board/ Georgia University Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship Center in the Coles Students2Startups (Invest Atlanta) Initiative (GUEI) College of Business, they pride themselves investatlanta.com/businesses/startups-cre padlet.com/entrepreneur_enabler/GUEI on training students and entrepreneurs atives/students2startups Hypepoptamus hypepotamus.com GUEI is a bi-annual event that brings who desire to better themselves, others, Invest Atlanta and Worksource Atlanta are The Southeast's largest online startup together University faculty, admin, and and society. They achieve this by bringing further developing a tech talent pipeline publication covering the latest startup ecosystem leaders to network with peers, together the “best of the best” in by subsidizing Atlanta-based students to news, events, people, and companies hear from guest speakers on the entrepreneurship and providing complete entrepreneurial-focused throughout Atlanta’s innovation startup/entrepreneurial ecosystem in transformational programs and internships with Atlanta startups. This will ecosystem. Georgia, and participate in discussions on experiences to their community. support growing startups with funding best practices to engage university some of their immediate tech talent students and industry professionals in the Spelman Design & Innovation Lab needs. field of entrepreneurship. spelman.edu/about-us/innovation-lab The Innovation Lab is a campus-wide VentureLab Herman J. Russell Sr. Center for resource for creative inquiry, venturelab.gatech.edu Entrepreneurship unconventional research, experimental VentureLab works with faculty and eni.gsu.edu/russell-center pedagogy, and exploratory play. The lab is students to create startups based on The Russell Center for Entrepreneurship a makerspace that engages the Georgia Tech research using was endowed by Mr. Russell to empower a intersections of art, science, technology, evidence-based entrepreneurship. new generation of passionate leaders. The and engineering. Available tools include center offers competitions, a speaker 3D printers, laser cutters, 4-axis CNC series and other programming to help router, 3D scanner along with many other educate students, alumni and other conventional hand tools and power tools members of the Atlanta entrepreneurial that make prototyping of just about community.T anything possible in one space.

Launch GSU Student Incubator launch.gsu.edu A 24/7 access collaboration space for students to work on their startup projects, meet like-minded students, hear from community thought leaders, attend events, host meetings, and rally together to produce innovative projects.

27 28 PROGRAMS

Have an idea but don’t know how to start? Ready to scale your startup? Consider looking into these incubators and accelerator programs dedicated to helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses through mentorship, curriculum, and access to capital networks.

29 PROGRAMS PROGRAMS ACCELERATORS ACCELERATORS

Ascend2020 Founder Institute Start: ME ascend2020atl.com ﬁ.co/s/atlanta www.startmeatl.org JPMorgan Chase & Co. has partnered with The Founder Institute is the world’s premier Start Micro-Entrepreneur Accelerator Morehouse College Entrepreneurship idea-stage accelerator and startup launch Program is designed for the most promising Center and TechSquare Labs to launch program. Through a challenging curriculum micro-entrprenuers and businesses Ascend2020 Atlanta, a technology startup and strong post-program support, they managing smaller teams. and small business support ecosystem for provide aspiring entrepreneurs with minority-led companies throughout structure, mentorship, and a network to Techstars Atlanta Metropolitan Atlanta. start an enduring company. techstars.com/programs/atlanta-program Techstars Atlanta, in partnership with Cox CenterForm Greenhouse Accelerator Enterprises, enables startups that drive centerform.org greencs.org/greenhouse positive change in a interconnected world. As a collaborative workspace, community, Greenhouse Accelerator supports startups and laboratory. CenterForm joins the over a span of three years seeking The Farm ATL international coworking movement as a candidates whose products and services thefarmatl.com vibrant ecosystem for the startup impact positive resource use. The Farm offers a variety of programs to generation. A monthly membership gives support and nurture selected startups and you access to workspace, internet, coffee, It Takes A Village (Pre-Accelerator) entrepreneurs, including a twice-a-year, lounge, library, professional development, atlantatechvillage.com/programs/ three-month accelerator program, premium events and workshops and discounts on pre-accelerator-program/ incubator office space, cutting edge room bookings and other services. It Takes A Village is Atlanta Tech Village’s hardware prototype lab and coworking. diversity and inclusion initiative which Engage Growth Program emphasizes the importance of supporting engage.vc/about diverse perspectives and inclusive work The Engage growth program is held twice environments in technology. We believe an a year, Fall and Spring. The program is entire community with different skill sets, particularly interested in backgrounds, and cultures is needed to technically-leaning teams in the IoT, AI, produce the most productive and innovative FinTech, logistics, and blockchain spaces companies. and business models with recurring revenue potential. LaunchPad2x launchpad2x.com Flashpoint @ Georgia Tech Launchpad2x is an entrepreneurial ﬂashpoint.gatech.edu ecosystem in Atlanta supporting women Flashpoint @ Georgia Tech combines who are founders/leaders/majority owners startup engineering techniques and highly of their startup and emerging businesses. individualized mentorship to help startups understand their customer’s and market fit. Points of Light Civic Accelerator cvcx.org The Points of Light Civic Accelerator "CivicX" is the first national accelerator program and investment fund in the country focused on "civic ventures" for-profit and nonprofit early stage ventures that include people as part of the solution to critical social problems.

31 32 PROGRAMS PROGRAMS INCUBATORS MID-MARKET GROWTH SUPPORT

22 Tech Park Goodie Nation Atlanta International Startup Exchange 22techpark.com goodienation.org atlsistercities.org/startup-exchange 22TechPark offers technology Goodie Nation brings good people Atlanta International Startup Exchange is a entrepreneurs a place to create, develop, together to reduce basic need disparities. two-week residency program with Atlanta's network, and flourish. Our mission is to We train and support people using a sister city Toulouse, France. Which provides provide early stage IT startups with a unique civic engagement framework. selected companies a platform for global working environment that is conducive expansion as well to identify potential to teamwork, sharing, flexibility, and Prototype Prime partners, investors, clients, and access to execution. prototypeprime.com one of the world’s largest aerospace industry clusters. Advanced Technology Development Center Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship atdc.org Backed by ATL rcie.org The Advanced Technology Development metroatlantachamber.com RCIE is in the earliest stages of its development Center (ATDC) at Georgia Tech is Powered by the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and build-out: nevertheless, we know that Georgia’s technology incubator. Founded Backed by ATL provides customized entrepreneurs and small business owners have in 1980, ATDC has developed a global assistance to a select group of high RIGHT NOW needs, and we want to help meet reputation for fostering technological potential companies to accelerate their them as we continue construction. entrepreneurship. growth and fuel economic impact across the metro Atlanta ecosystem. Women's Entrepreneurship Intitiative Avondale Innovation District (WEI) avondaleinnovationdistrict.com Endeavor Atlanta weiatlanta.com The Avondale Innovation District™, endeavoratlanta.org WEI serves to provide unprecedented located in downtown Avondale Estates, Endeavor helps the fastest-growing access to the human, educational and is a place-based urban development entrepreneurs create lasting enterprises financial capital critical to empowering early designed specifically to support by providing the resources they need to stage company-building entrepreneurs, who entrepreneurs and creative professionals, scale without dilution. just so happen to be women. foster open innovation, attract and accelerate new business ventures. Loeb.atl loeb.nyc/atlanta BIG Incubator by Digitalundivided Loeb.atl thrives on building startups from digitalundivided.com/incubator/ seed to scale to exit. We eliminate the BIG is a 26 week incubator program for obstacles associated with growing a high potential Black and Latinx women business by sharing our community of founders of tech enabled startups teams, services, and expert leadership. centered in an experiential learning/doing environment.

Center for Civic Innovation civicatlanta.org CCI serves as a home for conversations, experimentation, and action around social challenges and opportunities in Atlanta.

33 34 FUNDING & CAPITAL

Capital is always a challenging asset to ﬁnd within a startup ecosystem. Discover which traditional angel funding and venture capital funds are located in Atlanta, along with the nontraditional resources and business incentives that may apply to your startup.

35 FUNDING & CAPITAL FUNDING & CAPITAL ANGELFUNDING NON-TRADITIONAL

Atlanta Tech Angels The Ritz Group Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Developing Entrepreneurs Businesses Invest Atlanta Small Business Loan Programs angelatlanta.com ritzgroup.org aceloans.org and Companies (DEBCO) investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/ Group of accredited angel investors that The premier networking group connecting ACE is a non-profit organization and the debco.org Flyer-Small-Business-Loans-2017-1.pdf provides early-stage, technology Entrepreneurs and Investors, dedicated to largest small business-focused community DEBCO supports economic and Invest Atlanta provides gap financing entrepreneurs with more than funding growing new businesses,creating new jobs, development loan fund in Georgia. ACE community development activities and through various loan programs to small, and positioning Georgia as the leader in provides loan capital from $15,000 to provides small businesses with access to minority and female-owned businesses to Black Angel Tech Fund (BATF) economic growth $1,000,000 and business development capital and other services. We prioritize expand and/or relocate in the City of blackangeltechfund.com resources to help its borrowers create and our services to minority and Atlanta. The BATF is a venture capital firm focused TiE Angels grow sustainable businesses which woman-owned businesses and those on making seed and early stage investments atlanta.tie.org/programs/tie-atlanta-angels generate jobs. located in selected economic revitalization KiwiTech in startup technology companies TiE Angels seeks to invest capital in corridors. kiwitech.com companies to build the foundation yielding Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. KiwiTech's unique program for startups Chairman Partners a profitable business or those seeking a first www.atlantaemergingmarkets.org GoATL includes technology support, investment, chairmanpartners.com significant round of venture capital Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. is a cfgreateratlanta.org go-to-market support and mentoring. We Chairman Partners, LLC was created to financing. TiE Angels looks for unique certified Community Development Entity The GoATL Fund is designed to accelerate enable entrepreneurs to transform their provide Executive Chairman and companies developing products, or those that provides flexible financing through and sustain social outcomes in our ideas into cutting-edge products and Go-to-Market expertise combined with the that are tech-focused or tech-enabled. various loan products to social community through impact investing, the provide them with the support to scale structure, relationships, and investor entrepreneurs and high-impact businesses concept that strategically invested capital their businesses upon launching. knowledge that early-stage companies need to expand or relocate in distressed areas can achieve both a positive social impact to build investable, sustainable growth within the City of Atlanta. and a financial return. Square 1 Bank businesses. square1bank.com Atlanta MBDA Business Center Goizueta Student Impact Investing Fund Square 1 Bank, a division of Pacific Western Gathering of Angels mbdabusinesscenter-atlanta.org goizuetaimpactinvestors.com Bank, specializes in providing financial gatheringofangels.com MBDA provides business and technical The Emory University Goizueta Business services to entrepreneurs and their At Gathering of Angels you will find mature assistance that helps emerging and School MBA student led loan fund seeks investors. and seasoned Angel Investors and existing MBEs experience significant to invest $10,000 - $30,000 in Investment Bankers who listen to with high growth and sustainability and have a socially-minded enterprises throughout The Awesome Foundation interest to your presentation pitch for long-term economic impact through the the Atlanta region. Since 2014, GII has awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/atlanta capital, and if interested will write a check to creation of jobs and revenue. provided over $75,000 in low-interest The Atlanta Chapter of the Awesome your new venture 1-30 days after your first loans to organizations transforming Foundation's grants support projects in presentation at GOA Atlanta Micro Fund (AMF) education, skills-training, and recidivism sciences, arts, education, civic engagement, atlantamicrofund.org across Atlanta. media, and entertainment, just about Southeast Investor Network MBDA provides business and technical anything as long as it contributes to making souteastinvestorgroup.com assistance that helps emerging and First Monday's Investment Group Atlanta more AWESOME! Southeast Investor Group is a peer to peer existing MBEs experience significant First Monday is a private investment group membership composed of partners from 30 growth and sustainability and have a modeled after "Shark Tank". Start up Village Microfund of the Venture Capital Funds in the long-term economic impact through the companies present their business model villagemicrofund.com Southeast, five corporate venture funds, and creation of jobs and revenue. to an accredited investor panel seeking to The Village Micro Fund is a grassroots micro 25 individual investors (highly successful raise capital to start or grow their finance organization with the mission to tech executives who have built and exited Atlanta Seed Company business. empower entrepreneurs in Metro Atlanta by sizable companies) atlantaseedcompany.com providing access to capital, business Innovative platform provides high net worth Imlay Foundation education, and a “Village” of support. individuals and institutions access and theimlayfoundation.org guidance to participate in early-stage With a desire to foster the spirit of giving, venture opportunities sourced through a The Imlay Foundation contributes to proprietary deal flow, strategically located in charitable and cultural organizations with the expanding Southeast market, on a an emphasis on smaller charities in Atlanta deal-by-deal basis. and Scotland. 37 38 FUNDING & CAPITAL FUNDING & CAPITAL NON-TRADITIONAL VENTURE CAPITAL

Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Developing Entrepreneurs Businesses Invest Atlanta Small Business Loan Programs 151 Locust Atlanta Ventures aceloans.org and Companies (DEBCO) investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/ 151locust.com atlantaventures.com ACE is a non-profit organization and the debco.org Flyer-Small-Business-Loans-2017-1.pdf The 151 Locust Fund One LLC is a We empower SaaS entrepreneurs in the largest small business-focused community DEBCO supports economic and Invest Atlanta provides gap financing $100,000 fund established for the Southeast to achieve success with development loan fund in Georgia. ACE community development activities and through various loan programs to small, purpose of providing seed funding to community, content, and capital. provides loan capital from $15,000 to provides small businesses with access to minority and female-owned businesses to metro-Atlanta technology startups. The $1,000,000 and business development capital and other services. We prioritize expand and/or relocate in the City of Members of the fund are experienced, BIP Capital resources to help its borrowers create and our services to minority and Atlanta. successful, Atlanta based entrepreneurs bip-capital.com grow sustainable businesses which woman-owned businesses and those who have founded or co-founder at least Starting a company is an act of courage. generate jobs. located in selected economic revitalization KiwiTech one technology startup, grown that Defiance against the status quo. A corridors. kiwitech.com company and then successfully sold the statement. But scaling a company is an act Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. KiwiTech's unique program for startups company. of determination. It requires boundless www.atlantaemergingmarkets.org GoATL includes technology support, investment, energy, tenacity, creativity, resiliency, and a Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. is a cfgreateratlanta.org go-to-market support and mentoring. We Accuitive Medical Ventures (AMV) relentless pursuit of excellence. And at BIP certified Community Development Entity The GoATL Fund is designed to accelerate enable entrepreneurs to transform their amvpartners.com Capital, we get that. that provides flexible financing through and sustain social outcomes in our ideas into cutting-edge products and AMV is a medical device venture capital firm. various loan products to social community through impact investing, the provide them with the support to scale BLH Ventures entrepreneurs and high-impact businesses concept that strategically invested capital their businesses upon launching. Alchemus Capital blhventures.com to expand or relocate in distressed areas can achieve both a positive social impact alchmuscapital.com Early stage investment firm focused on Alchemus Capital is a partner fund of funding innovation within the City of Atlanta. and a financial return. Square 1 Bank square1bank.com Loeb Capital that serves as our anchor LP Atlanta MBDA Business Center Goizueta Student Impact Investing Fund Square 1 Bank, a division of Pacific Western investor. They have a diversified portfolio Croft & Bender Capital mbdabusinesscenter-atlanta.org goizuetaimpactinvestors.com Bank, specializes in providing financial of high caliber deals across verticals with croft-bender.com Croft & Bender is a provider of superior MBDA provides business and technical The Emory University Goizueta Business services to entrepreneurs and their companies able to scale and position for M&A, capital raising, and financial advisory assistance that helps emerging and School MBA student led loan fund seeks investors. cross-borders commercialization coming existing MBEs experience significant to invest $10,000 - $30,000 in from our exclusive global trust network. services to middle market and emerging growth companies growth and sustainability and have a socially-minded enterprises throughout The Awesome Foundation They focus on inclusion, including women long-term economic impact through the the Atlanta region. Since 2014, GII has awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/atlanta and global, multi-cultural entrepreneurs. creation of jobs and revenue. provided over $75,000 in low-interest The Atlanta Chapter of the Awesome CTW Venture Partners loans to organizations transforming Foundation's grants support projects in Atlanta Advantage Loan Fund ctwvp.com CTW Venture Partners is changing the Atlanta Micro Fund (AMF) education, skills-training, and recidivism sciences, arts, education, civic engagement, investatlanta.com/businesses/small- world by investing in companies that are atlantamicrofund.org across Atlanta. media, and entertainment, just about businesses/small-business-loan-programs Eligible borrowers include manufacturers, creating products that will change the way MBDA provides business and technical anything as long as it contributes to making distributors, and service providers, with the world operates assistance that helps emerging and First Monday's Investment Group Atlanta more AWESOME! existing MBEs experience significant First Monday is a private investment group the target being established businesses with a track record of sustained revenues Curate growth and sustainability and have a modeled after "Shark Tank". Start up Village Microfund curatefor.us long-term economic impact through the companies present their business model villagemicrofund.com and profits. Transforming the South's entrepreneurial creation of jobs and revenue. to an accredited investor panel seeking to The Village Micro Fund is a grassroots micro landscape by flooding its participants with raise capital to start or grow their finance organization with the mission to Atlanta Catalyst Fund the resources they need to thrive - on a Atlanta Seed Company business. empower entrepreneurs in Metro Atlanta by investatlanta.com/businesses/small- businesses/small-business-loan-programs scale never before pursued atlantaseedcompany.com providing access to capital, business Seeks to spur job creation and economic Innovative platform provides high net worth Imlay Foundation education, and a “Village” of support. individuals and institutions access and theimlayfoundation.org development by providing small business Eastside Partners guidance to participate in early-stage With a desire to foster the spirit of giving, lending in distressed neighborhoods in the venture opportunities sourced through a The Imlay Foundation contributes to City of Atlanta. proprietary deal flow, strategically located in charitable and cultural organizations with the expanding Southeast market, on a an emphasis on smaller charities in Atlanta deal-by-deal basis. and Scotland. 39 40 FUNDING & CAPITAL FUNDING & CAPITAL VENTURE CAPITAL VENTURE CAPITAL

eastsidepartners.com The GRA Venture Fund, LLC is a private Peachtree Equity provides subordinated building high growth tech startups; Eastside Partners invests primarily in investment fund created to help finance debt and equity securities to middle specifically Cloud, IoT, or University Healthcare and Information Technology promising companies emerging from market companies Spinouts leveraging the strengths of the companies based in the southeastern Georgia's universities Southeast and area research universities United States. They focus on regional RAISE Forum businesses looking to scale their sales Gray Ghost Ventures (GGV) raiseforum.com TechOperators efforts nationally, with a preference for grayghostventures.com The RAISE Forum is creating local funding techoperators.com companies characterized by defensible GGV seeks to eliminate poverty and for in-revenue companies that need an Early stage venture capital firm investing strategic positioning, rapid customer ROI, strengthen communities through catalytic, investment round between $1MM and in emerging software companies with high and recurring revenue. early-stageinvestments in the developing $5MM. RAISE is working with Emory growth potential world. University's Goizueta Business School; we Engage Ventures have a healthcare bias but are TechSquare Labs engage.vc Jump Fund industry-agnostic. techsquare.co/fund Engage is an independent venture fund thejumpfund.com/entrepreneurs TechSquare Labs invests in technical and platform, established and financed by The JumpFund invests in early-stage, Resurgens Technology Partners founders with bold ideas. With tech some of the most influential corporations women-led, high-growth ventures resurgenstech.com entrepreneurs as founding partners, they in the world. Our mission is to strengthen Resurgens Technology Partners invests in have empathy for what it takes to build collaboration and partnership between Kinetic Ventures emerging software and something from nothing. leading corporations and top kineticventures.com technology-enabled services businesses First institutional funding for entrepreneurs entrepreneurs. based in North America. TTV Capital ttvcapital.com Leaders Fund TTV invests in fintech businesses that Forte Ventures Silicon Valley Bank - Atlanta leaders-fund.com serve the widely varying needs of the forteventures.com svb.com Helping entrepreneurs build storied SaaS Forte Ventures invest across a diversified Every day, innovative businesses strive to financial services sector and the companies set of industry sectors including: IT, bring about the next big thing. From consumers of financial products mobility, digital media, fintech, and technology to healthcare, from San Jose Loeb.atl Valor Ventures industrial technology. to Shanghai, our clients define what loeb.nyc/atlanta comes next. At Silicon Valley Bank, we valor.vc Loeb.atl thrives on building startups from Valor Ventures invests in hypergrowth Fulcrum Equity Partners support the businesses that invent the seed to scale to exit. We eliminate the tech startups outside of tier 1 cities after fuclcrumep.com future. Everything we do helps innovators, obstacles associated with growing a they have their first customers and are Fulcrum Equity Partners manages over enterprises and investors move bold ideas business by sharing our community of hungry to scale their success $350 million and makes equity forward, fast. teams, services, and expert leadership. investments in rapidly growing business 11-11Ventures that are led by strong entrepreneurs and Stanley Ventures Mosley Ventures 11-11ventures.com management teams. They target stanleyventures.com mosleyventures.com 11-11 Ventures is an innovation-driven venture companies within the healthcare, B2B Stanley Ventures is the venture capital arm Venture capital fund investing in early capital firm investing and growing early SaaS and technology enabled services of Stanley Black & Decker. In search of stage technology startups in Atlanta and stage technology companies run by the industries. innovation in areas related to: tools and the Southeast best entrepreneurial minds in the world. Georgia Oak Partners storage, hospital and healthcare services, gerogiaoakpartners.com commercial sercurity, pipeline services, Noro-Mosley Partners (NMP) Georgia Oak Partners invest growth equity fastening solutions, & infrastructure noromoseley.com into companies positioned for topline products. NMP provides leading entrepreneurs with acceleration energy, connections and expertise to build Tech Square Ventures world-class companies GRA Venture Fund techsquareventures.com graventurefund.org Tech Square Ventures is an Atlanta based Peachtree Equity seed and early stage venture capital firm peachtreeequity.com that partners with visionary entrepreneurs 41 42 FUNDING & CAPITAL INCENTIVES

Atlanta Forward Fund Angel Investor Tax Credit investatlanta.com georgia.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/0 The Atlanta Forward Loan fund will 3/Angel_Investor_Tax_Credit.pdf provide assistance to small businesses and The law provides an individual state tax startup companies located within credit of up $50,000 on an annual basis accelerators, incubators, and other for individual angel investors who invest in programs that provide capacity building in early stage, “qualified” Georgia companies the City of Atlanta. Loan size will range between 2015 and 2018. from $5,000 to $20,000, and between 10 to 20 small business will receive financing. Research and Development Tax Credit Funding for the new pilot program will be georgia.org/competitive-advantages/tax- reprogrammed from the City of Atlanta’s credits/research-and-development/ Eligible R&D expenditures increasing year Opportunity Loan Fund and managed by over year may qualify for this tax credit Invest Atlanta. which can be claimed against payroll withholding after corporate income tax is Invest Georgia Exemption sos.ga.gov/admin/ﬁles/Invest_Georgia_ exhausted. Exemption_-_Form_GA-1.pdf Permits intrastate crowdfunding; Georgia Research Alliance Fund of 2008 aggregate amount Georgia-based gra.org/page/1038/gra_ventures.html companies can raise in a year increased Gives a 25% tax credit only to limited from $1 to $5 million. partners within the fund. The GRA fund is seeded with taxpayer funds of between Startup Tax Exemption $7,000,000 and $10,000,000. investatlanta.com/opportunities/atlanta- startup-tax-exemption/ Opportunity Zones Provides a tax exemption for new and investatlanta.com/business/bonds- emerging technology businesses. Provides incentives/opportunity-zones/ Available for new or existing businesses an exemption for businesses from paying that create two or more jobs which can be the City’s license. taken against the business’s Georgia income tax liability and payroll withhold- Investment Tax Credit georgia.org/competitive-advantages/ ing tax. The credit is available for areas tax-credits/investment/ designated by DCA as an “Opportunity Income tax credit available to existing Zone”. The maximum Job Tax Credit manufacturing or telecommunications allowed under law - $3,500 per job businesses that have operated a facility in created. Georgia for three years prior with a qualifying investment of $50,000 or more, and can be from 1-5% on new investment.

43 44 NEW ‘ROUND POWERED BY TOWN

We’re lucky to have an ecosystem that keeps growing and adding new faces! Meet some of the emerging players in Atlanta’s startup scene and hear why they do what they do to support entrepreneurs

45 NEW ‘ROUND TOWN NEW ‘ROUND TOWN

Why did you decide to take on this role at Startup Atlanta? I took on this role because I found harmony in the mission of Startup Atlanta EILEEN LEE KYLAN and my own personal values. As a creator, CHRISTY Co-Founder of The Lola a connector, a fixer, and a believer, I saw this as a huge opportunity to pursue my Can you tell Startup Atlanta a little more purpose in helping shape the future of about yourself? Atlanta’s startup community. After I'm a born and bred New Yorker who KESTER reviewing the 2018 Atlanta Startup BROWN moved to Atlanta two and a half years Community Coordinator at Ecosystem Guide, I was confident that I Managing Partner of Loeb.atl ago. I came to Atlanta wanting to start Startup Atlanta was making in a step in the right direction. another company and was excited about Tell us a little about yourself? What is your background? the opportunities Atlanta has to offer. What are you most excited about in your I am a native to Atlanta; growing up I am a Floridian turned Georgian who new role as Community Coordinator? originally in the suburban landscape and Tell us how you and the founding team moved to Atlanta in 2015 to attend Every day I meet people throughout the then Little Five Points, Inman Park, and came up with the idea for The Lola? Morehouse College. I am a passionate Atlanta startup ecosystem and every time Midtown areas. My love for Atlanta Female-forward places are popping up all marketing guy who you’re likely to find I am impressed and inspired by the continued as we were selected to host the around the country and world. Martine reading a book or having a conversation in success stories of founders and the impact Olympics in 1996 — the success of this, I Resnick and I had a shared desire to find a cafe with a diverse network of they aspire to leave. I am very excited to knew, would be paramount for our ways to better support women in life and professionals in business, tech, fashion, meet and support community members economic growth. I attended Georgia Tech their careers. We were introduced by an and music. Some of my hobbies include and to find creative ways to help them which led me to technology and growing awesome woman in 2017 and started going to concerts, cooking, and curating achieve their goals! companies. I built and exited three of my full-time on The Lola in 2018. digital media. own companies here in Atlanta and am What are some of the challenges that proud to launch Loeb.atl as a part of the What is your hope for the impact that How did you get into the startup world? entrepreneurs face in Atlanta and other investment community to propel this The Lola will have in the community for As an incredibly ambitious student places? next-generation of companies with women entrepreneurs? throughout undergrad, I sought a global Depending on the industry, there are a funding, shared services and a model Our goal is to not only support women perspective on business and ended up number of different challenges and which Atlanta has not experienced in professionally and personally but also to working and visiting centers of innovation barriers that give entrepreneurs in the traditional investments. help amplify their businesses and projects in technology hubs from Shanghai to community a hard time. My hunch would through our community. We're excited to Hangzhou, China to Tokyo, Japan. These be that the number of resources in the What would you say makes Loeb.atl be partnering with accelerators and experiences landed me in Silicon Valley as community are so abundant that it can dierent from any of the other sources of programs such as Digital Undivided and a Corporate Marketing intern at Apple and get hard for founders to identify a curated funding in Atlanta? Generator that support female most recently, the European Innovation set of resources aligned with helping them Loeb.atl is a venture collective being entrepreneurs to help them continue to Academy in Italy. Having this exposure to achieve whatever strategic or financial expanded into Atlanta from our New York support their alumni. hubs of innovation and seeing the unique goals they set. location, where we have more than a 17+ asset of diversity here in Atlanta, I wanted year success of growing companies. We What can you tell us about the types of to find a way to contribute my perspective are sincerely “founder-focused” and many women that are joining The Lola? and support to connecting founders and times choose an investment based on our About half are freelancers, consultants, teams who need that extra push to get to belief of solid founders. We require our remote workers and entrepreneurs, the the next level whether they are ready to companies to work in our studio other half work at tech companies, start, develop, or transform. downtown for a minimum of two years, corporate, and more traditional jobs. Our where they are surrounded with shared members are diverse in background, services to scale and growth their industry, and age and are excited to business. We are solving a fundamental support and learn. problem where venture capital is 47 NEW ‘ROUND TOWN NEW ‘ROUND TOWN

concerned — providing resources to scale and a footprint in the Bay Area, but I felt it though Atlanta is such a melting pot of dope and grow instead of merely capital was best for us to set up shop somewhere sectors (film, music, sports), the system infusion. Our history defines our results, as else. Atlanta caught my eye because it is a doesn’t really work together. When I think of a we have had about a 92 percent success growing fintech hub, already has an place like L.A. that has those same melting rate over the last 17 years. SHEEN ALLEN excellent reputation as a payments hub, we pots of sectors, I see them working together, Co-Founder of Capway are closer and able to touch a lot of our investing in each other, growing together. I What would you consider the greatest target audience, and it was back in the don’t see that in the Atlanta startup rewards of investing in the Atlanta Can you tell us more about what problem South, which is where I am from ecosystem, and I hope that changes soon. market? Capway aims to solve and how you do it? (Mississippi), so I was back closer to family. The greatest reward of investing in Atlanta CapWay is the bridge between the cashless is that we can apply our strength in capital economy and the financially underserved. Your team has made signiﬁcant strides, combined with the ecosystem. The You can’t pay cash for things like Netflix and including pre-seed investment from university ecosystem combined with Spotify. Plastic will be needed as the Backstage Capital. What knowledge or former entrepreneurs who have reinvested cashless economy grows, and right now, the advice would you impart on other and expanded with new companies in financially underserved are being left on the early-stage companies? Bootstrap as long as you can, and if don’t Atlanta continues to exhibit to us that this outside. have to take investment dollars ever, do is a rich environment for expansion and that. I bootstrapped my first company, investment. We focus on financially-underserved millennials and Gen Z because it is about Sheena Allen Apps, and I only had to answer to me. It is tough to bootstrap a Are there any Atlanta-based companies providing a financial system for the next that you think we should look out generation where traditional banking has financial technology company, so I went for in 2019? failed them or the generations before them. after angels and venture capitalists for There are many companies in Atlanta CapWay. currently on the rise. I would suggest ones Our core product is a debit card. So we such as Nexus, Greyscale, Farm’d, bank the unbanked and provide a better For those raising money for an early-stage FilmCONNX, USIT, and Civic Dinners. These banking option for the underbanked. We are company, seek investors who believe in you are all amazing companies changing the fully transparent, with no overdraft fees and over the product because you’re going to business climate in Atlanta and in many no hidden fees. But CapWay is more than pivot. Seek investors who can provide smart cases, disruptors in their space. just a debit card. We are a full financial money. You want investors who can give ecosystem, so in addition to offering a debit you advice because they have been there or card, we also provide financial education, make great connections on your behalf or and eventually, we will launch our just overall instrumental in your growth. micro-lending service and will go on to add That’s key. additional tools and services over time. What do you think the Atlanta startup What were some of the factors that ecosystem is missing? inspired your founding teams decision to The ecosystem could use more early-stage move to Atlanta? capital — investors who don’t just call Late last year, we were working out of themselves investors, but write small checks Sunnyvale, CA, which is part of Silicon without expecting you to give up half of your Valley. However, I got to a point where I company in return. I notice a difference in didn't want to be part of that bubble (and investors in Atlanta versus the Bay Area, and when I say bubble, I mean that their version rightfully so, since there is more risk capital in of real-world problems didn't match my the Bay Area. But I definitely would say an definition of real-world problems.) As a adequate amount of money available to founder, I think it is crucial to have networks early-stage companies is missing. The second thing is that I was surprised to see that DICTIONARY

Bonus: confused by that alphabet soup of startup terms? We’ve put together a quick dictionary to help you understand everything from angel funding to zebra companies.

51 DICTIONARY DICTIONARY

Accelerator B2C (Business to Consumer) Capital Expenditures Elevator Pitch Accelerators provide optimal conditions for a The transaction between a business and its end Capital Expenditures is money spent by a company A state of a company that typically has completed company to grow. In exchange for a small amount user. This sales model allows businesses to to add or expand property, plant, and equipment its seed stage and has a founding or core senior of equity, an accelerator utilizes: education communicate directly with consumers. B2C assets, with the expectation that they will benefit management team, has proven its concept or programs, mentorship and seed investment to skyrocketed during the dotcom boom when the company over a long period of time (more than completed its beta test, has minimal revenues, and compress years worth of work into a fixed, short customers were able to buy items directly from one year). no positive earnings or cash flows. period of time — usually a matter of a few months retailers. Capital Gains Equity — and quicken a company’s life cycle. Names you Beta Version The gain to investor from selling a stock, bond or Ownership in the capital of a Company. In might know include Y Combinator, 500 Startups After workshopping the user feedback from the mutual fund at a higher price than the purchase corporations, it is called "stock"; in limited partnerships and Techstars. alpha version, the beta version resolves price. or LLCs, it is called "interests" or "units." Accredited Investor performance issues and integrates modifications to Churn Rate Equity Financing An indiviual with $1,000,000 or more in net worth existing functionality. Although the beta version is a Churn rate is the percentage of customers who Equity financing is a term used for company's (assets - liabilities), excluding their primary fully functioning demo, it is still a demo, AKA not leave during a given period. Measured to issuance of shares of common or preferred stock to residence, or $200,000 in annual income, or ready for market just yet. Beta usually goes through understand why and when customers cut ties with raise money. Equity financing is commonly done $300,000 of income if earned jointly with their more quality assurance processes. a brand as well as how to improve retention. when its per share prices are high-the most money spouse, for the previous two years with a Big Hairy Audacious Goal Corporate Venture that can be raised for the smallest number of reasonable expectation of continued income for the The giant sweeping vision of a startup founder to Corporate venture capital is a subsidiary of a large shares. following year. change the world. corporation which makes venture capital Exit Strategy Acquisition Bootstrapping investments. An entrepreneur’s strategic plan to peace out. A process under which a company acquires the Bootstrapping refers to starting a company without Crowdfunding Selling one’s investment allows an entrepreneur to controlling interest of another company. external (i.e. monetary) support. These are the Kickstarter and GoFundMe pages reduce or eliminate stake in the business, either Adventure Capitalist Burn Rate that may clog your newsfeed. By raising capital making a substantial profit (if the company is An adventure capitalist is an entrepreneur who How much money a company is losing, usually from a crowd of people, this method allows successful) or limiting losses (if it is not successful). helps other entrepreneurs financially and often measured per month. This is not necessarily a bad entrepreneurs to tap into a wide investor pool and This can be done through an IPO, mergers, private plays an active role in the company's operations sign, as burn rates are common among early stage use their social networks as leverage to collect offerings, cash cows or venture capitalists. such as by occupying a seat on the board of startups who are unlikely to be turning profit yet. funds through a streamlined process that doesn’t Friends & Family Round directors, etc. Business Model Canvas require the traditional steps of funding. When a founder’s #1 fans tap into their piggy banks. Advisory Board Based on nine building blocks, the Business Model Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) This is when your grandma who has been worrying A group of external advisors to a private equity Canvas is an entrepreneurial tool that enables A forecast or prediction of the total net profit about whether or not you’ve been getting enough group or portfolio company. Advice provided varies entrepreneurs to design, develop, articulate, related to the entire lifetime, (present and future) of sleep and your best friend who supported you at from overall strategy to portfolio valuation. Less challenge, invent and pivot their strategic business a specific customer relationship. your first pitch competition puts their money where formal than a Board of Directors. their mouths are. model. The building blocks referenced above Demo Day Alpha Version include customer segments, value proposition, Demo Day is the final hoorah when an accelerator Founder's Stock Think of an alpha version as the rough draft of an channels, customer relations, revenue streams, key cohort wraps up their program and presents their The common stock owned by one or more of the application or website. This is released with the resources, key activities, key partnerships, and cost businesses to an audience of potential customers company's founders, typically received when the intention to have users test for bugs and make structures and investors. company was incorporated and not purchased functional changes. for cash. Bridge Loan Double Bottom Line Angel Investor A temporary short-term loan that is obtained for In Impact Investing, the goal of measuring a Grant An angel investor provides capital in exchange for use for an interim period, typically one year, until the company by its positive societal impact in addition Money provided by a government agency or other ownership equity or convertible debt in an early borrower can obtain a more comprehensive, to its financial returns. organization that does not need to be repaid and stage company. longer-term financing package. does not purchase equity. Due Diligence Angel Financing Capital A process undertaken by potential investors — Holding Company Seed capital raised from independently wealthy Financial capital is a term that can refer to the individuals or institutions — to analyze and assess A corporation that owns the securities of another, in investors, for startup companies. money exchanged between entrepreneurs and the desirability, value, and potential of an most cases with voting control. B2B (Business to Business) investors during a business deal. Entrepreneurs investment opportunity. Commerce that generates transactions between need to raise capital for their startups while Early Stage Company two businesses. A B2B enterprise offers services or investors can provide them with the needed capital The key characteristic is market development. The materials to other companies. This traditional model (or funding). Financial capital usually comes with business is focused on sales and marketing and is at the foundation of any typical supply chain. interest, and new business owners can use their proving business viability. financial capital in purchasing real capital (or machinery or equipment) for their new business. DICTIONARY DICTIONARY

ICO (Initial Coin Oering) Lean Startup Portfolio Silent Partner Cryptocurrency is revolutionizing finance. An ICO is First proposed by Eric Ries in 2008, this A strategic collection of startup companies invested A silent partner is an investor who does not have any when an entrepreneur sells some units of a new methodology is the Jenny Craig of building a in by an angel, angel group or Venture Capital Fund. management responsibilities but provides capital and cryptocurrency in exchange for existing company. Implementing this businesses-driven Portfolio Companies shares liability for any losses experienced by the entity. cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin or Ethereum). experimentation helps entrepreneurs create and Startups and other companies in which an angel Silent partners are liable for in any losses up to the Warning: as this trend picks up and new currencies manage a product more efficiently and effectively, group, venture capital fund, or private equity firm amount of their invested capital and participate in any continue to develop, we may either have a gold shortening the development cycle. have invested. tax and cash flow benefits. rush, or see some new regulations come into play. Meetup SaaS (Software as a Service) Startup Impact Investing A website which enables the facilitation of online SaaS (Software as a Service): SaaS is in the air: the A startup is a new business venture / enterprise in Financial investments that also aim to have a in-person meetings of groups with similar interests. forecast predicts cloudy with a chance of software. its initial or early stages of development. These benefit for society. Local Meet-ups groups focus on a wide variety of This cloud delivery makes software applications and stages include the concept, seed, early, growth and Incubator interests, including technology, entrepreneurship, data accessible anywhere, anytime (as long as you mezzanine stages. Collaborative programs providing businesses with investments and startups from the entrepreneurial have Internet connection and a web browser). This Strategic Investors the nutrients needed to grow at their own pace. world. enables companies to outsource information Corporate or individual investors that add value to Less concerned with how quickly a company will Merger technology responsibilities and reduce costs investments they make through industry and grow or how large it can scale than an accelerator, A combination of business entities under which associated with investing in hardware, maintenance personal ties that can assist companies in raising incubators support startups by providing working efficiency improvements are expected to be and licensing. additional capital as well as provide assistance in space, collaboration and mentorship. achieved from potential synergies by eliminating Scalability the marketing and sales process. IPO (Initial Public Oering) duplicate factors of production such as plant, he ability of a startup or small business to leverage Sweat Equity An IPO is when a private company is offered to the equipment and labor and by the more efficient use its' existing resources to grow and operate at a Sweat equity is the equity or ownership interest public for the first time. This happens for one of two of capital driving increases in revenues and profits in larger scale without being encumbered by factors created in a startup by it's founders as a result of reasons; either a smaller company is seeking capital the resulting company. such as capital investment, human resources and their contributions in the form of hard work, labor to expand or a larger company is ready to be MVP (Minimum Viable Product) legacy structures, etc. and toil. traded on the market. Once a company IPOs, they This is when an entrepreneur develops a product Seed Round Synergy are no longer “private” and have to take the do not sufficient enough for early adopters from which This early stage in funding can include angel Synergy is the interaction and leveraging of disturb sign off their door. they will collect validated learning to develop the funding, friends and family or crowdfunding. It helps resources provided by different individuals or Institutional Investors full product. entrepreneurs get their feet on the ground and pay organizations to obtain a combination greater than Organizations that professionally invest, including One Liner (Cocktail Party) for preliminary operations. the sum of the individual parts. insurance companies, depository institutions, A cocktail party one liner is a clear, crisp, engaging Seed Stage Term Loan pension funds, investment companies, mutual sentence which provides potential investors a The stage of a scalable startup immediately A loan that is paid off in a set period of time, usually funds, and endowment funds. succinct overview of your startup concept and following the concept stage. In this stage, the in equal monthly installments throughout the Invest Round business model. It challenges the investor to entrepreneurs typically validate their product or duration (or term) of the loan. Term Loans can be a A set of one or more investments made in a particular become intrigued by both the implied problem and service to the marketplace, develop their MVP, secured or unsecured loans. your proposed solution. company by one or more investors on essentially commence initial market testing and development, Unicorn similar terms at essentially the same time. Peer to Peer Lending and begin development of their business model / A unicorn company is a private company valued at Key Employees A relatively new type of online financing solution go to market strategy. over $1 billion. Such successful ventures have such Professional management attracted by the founder through which individuals lend money to other Series A or "A Round" Funding statistical rarity that they’re considered magical. individuals or small businesses. to run the company. Key employees are typically A company’s time to lay groundwork. Cash from Valuation retained with warrants and ownership of the Pitch this stage in funding is put towards developing a A business valuation is the process of determining company. A presentation in which a startup founder attempts business model so that entrepreneurs move the economic value of a company. to persuade an investor of the viability of their beyond an idea on a whiteboard or a Beta towards Later Stage Company Venture Investor company. a monetized product/service. A stage of company growth characterized by viable Venture investors are highly-esteemed individuals and products, a developed market, significant Pivot Series B private equity firms that provide capital for emerging customers, sustained revenue growth, and both Pivoting refers to when an entrepreneur needs to B is for Bulking. At this stage, capital is often spent companies who have high growth potential. profits and positive cash flow from operations. re-evaluate their first (or second, or third) business on building a talented team to take the company to Vesting Later-stage companies would generally be model and shift to a different business plan, the next phase. A process in which you “earn” your stock overtime. candidates for an IPO. Investments in the C round changing the direction of the company to meet Series C The purpose of vesting is to grant stock to people or after qualify as later stage. market needs. In Series C rounds, investors put more capital into over a fixed period of time so they have an incentive aspects of a company that have been proven to stick around. profitable so that they can continue to scale aggressively. 55 56 Why did you decide to take on this role at Startup Atlanta? I took on this role because I found harmony in the mission of Startup Atlanta and my own personal values. As a creator, a connector, a fixer, and a believer, I saw this as a huge opportunity to pursue my purpose in helping shape the future of Atlanta’s startup community. After reviewing the 2018 Atlanta Startup Ecosystem Guide, I was confident that I was making in a step in the right direction.

What are you most excited about in your new role as Community Coordinator? Every day I meet people throughout the Atlanta startup ecosystem and every time I am impressed and inspired by the success stories of founders and the impact they aspire to leave. I am very excited to meet and support community members and to find creative ways to help them achieve their goals!

What are some of the challenges that entrepreneurs face in Atlanta and other places? Depending on the industry, there are a number of different challenges and barriers that give entrepreneurs in the community a hard time. My hunch would be that the number of resources in the community are so abundant that it can get hard for founders to identify a curated set of resources aligned with helping them achieve whatever strategic or financial goals they set.

45 International iVillage Startup Exchange @ MLK A one-week international Providing innovative ofﬁce residency that and retail space where provides selected entrepreneurs can launch companies a platform for their businesses. global expansion.

Smart Cities Students 2 Startups Our goal is to create economic Using a data-centric Building a tech talent prosperity and vibrant communities approach to improving pipeline by subsidizing for all of Atlanta. quality of life, growing students to complete the local economy, and internships with ensuring greater equity in Atlanta startups. the city. Innovation + Entrepreneurship

We make it easier for entrepreneurs to build, test and validate – and scale their companies in Atlanta. Creative Industries Small Business Loan Fund Loan Program A loan program Encouraging business for the City’s creative development in the entrepreneurs with low City of Atlanta through interest rates and ﬂexible small business loan repayment options. programs.

www.investatlanta.com • @investatlanta Innovation + Entrepreneurship ATLANTA THANK YOU AT A GLANCE WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU

Team Sponsors $1.13B Kylan Kester Venture Funding in 2018 Community Coordinator PitchBook, 2018 Board of Directors Adam Harrell 3x $1B Founder, Nebo Agency Alicia Scott Startup Unicorns Executive Director of Launchpad 2x Rubicon / Kabbage / MailChimp Amelia Schaner Director of Entrepreneurship, Emory Goizueta School of Business 15x Carie Davis Fortune 500 Companies Partner, Your Ideas Are Terrible Metro Atlanta Chamber, 2018 Bruce Berger Director, Clark Atlanta University Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurial #1 Development Bronwyn Morgan City Where African-Americans CEO/Founder of Xeo Air Inc Are Doing the Best Economically David Brinkman Forbes, 2018 President & CEO, AssureSign Gail Podolsky Attorney at Carlton Fields #4 Michael Maziar Vice President, Technology Banking at Female-Owned Businesses Silicon Valley Bank Paychex, 2018 Noelle London Assistant Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Sig Mosley Managing Partner at Mosley Ventures Tony Cooper former VP of Strategic Communications at Technology Association of Georgia Vickie Thomas Strategic Initiative and Account Leader for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Metro Atlanta Chamber of Converse