GUIDE TO THE ECOSYSTEM PRESENTED BY "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 Jorden Introduction Overview Burt, P.A. Startup Atlanta is a community non-profit We’re excited to bring you the second Thanks to the support of our presenting focused on growing and connecting the Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A. - Carlton edition of the Guide to the Ecosystem, sponsor, Carlton Fields, we’re able to local startup ecosystem. We host events, Fields is a leading provider of legal and Atlanta’s most comprehensive guide to produce the Guide as a free resource for bring startup and regional leaders consultative services to a broad spectrum our local startup ecosystem! This year the community! We understand that, as together, support policies friendly to of business clients ranging from we’ve partnered with Hypepotamus, the our ecosystem is quickly growing, we may innovation and entrepreneurs and multinational Fortune 100 companies to largest startup publication in the have unintentionally missed some promote corporate involvement with the start-ups. Southeast, to expand the guide to include organizations, players, or other resources. local ecosystem profiles of new and emerging leaders Please send us your input and feedback at: within the community, as well as a [email protected]. This guide was dictionary of common startup terms. New made possible by Startup Atlanta this year, we have also included our “Guide startupatlanta.com to the Guide”, a flowchart to help you quickly and easily find the information Design and layout by Scott Fuller of most pertinent to you as you navigate the The Studio Temporary, ecosystem. thestudiotemporary.com WATCH WITH LIKE-MINDED GROUPS Atlanta Tech Edge INDIVIDUALS? Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem THEA Code for Atlanta LISTEN Women In Technology Dana Barrett Hump Day Exchange Tech Talk Y’all DigiGood Times T’S B UIL NET D WOR YK OUR

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MEDIA & NEWS 05 / GROUPS & EVENTS 09 / PLACES 15 / EDUCATION & CAREER SCHOOLS 21 / PROGRAMS 27 / FUNDING & CAPITAL 31 / NEW ‘ROUND TOWN & DICTIONARY 39 MEDIA & NEWS Looking for where to get the scoop about local startup stories, founder interviews, and the latest news? Check out these local blogs, publications, podcasts, and shows highlighting what’s happening in and around the Atlanta startup ecosystem.

05 06 MEDIA & NEWS MEDIA & NEWS READ LISTEN/WATCH

Atlanta Tech Blogs Hypepotamus Dana Barrett Show Atlanta Tech Edge atlantatechblogs.com hypepotamus.com danabarrett.com atlantatechedge.com Serving as the pulse for startup stories, The Southeast's largest online startup The Dana Barrett Show is the only live, Atlanta’s only television show focused on Atlanta Tech Blogs is a publication that publication covering the latest startup local radio show focused on what’s technology, Atlanta Tech Edge highlights promotes all tech startup blogs in Atlanta. news, events, people, and companies happening in Atlanta. From startups to the latest advancements within the throughout Atlanta’s innovation big business and everything in between, technology and startup ecosystem. Bitter Southerner ecosystem. The Dana Barrett Show keeps you up to bittersoutherner.com date on the headlines and introduces you Co ee Shop Talks The Bitter Southerner is an online magazine Southeast Makers to the entrepreneurs, executives and talks.co ee/playlist about the American South — real stories southeastmakersatl.com thought leaders that make this city great. Coffee Shop Talks is a YouTube video about the real South. Their Southern Hustle A community-driven platform aiming to series hosted by Billy Boozer - developer, column brings you tales of the founders, document Atlanta’s new attitude toward Digital Good Times founder, and Atlanta startup advocate - technologists, investors, and startup technology, innovation and the human spirit. digigoodtimes.com that gives you greater insight into the champions who call the South home. Digital Good Times bridges the gap businesses impacting your community and Real Founder Lessons between disconnected communities by the tech leaders behind them. David Cummings on Startups realfounderlessons.com spotlighting compelling stories, producing davidcummings.org The best startup advice from experienced engaging content and hosting THEA David has been an entrepreneur all his life. founders...one real-world lesson at a time. collaborative events. www.thea.network In early 2007, David co-founded Pardot, Curated by local startup advisor and Part video network. Part creative and shortly thereafter Pardot was co-founder of Switchyards, Dave Payne. Tech Talk Y'all community. All authentic content. Sneak acquired by ExactTarget and then www.techtalkyall.com behind the scenes as you connect, explore Salesforce.com. Most recently, David Startup Gossip Tech Talk Y'all is a bi-weekly show with and jump into a new culture hub: THEA. founded the Atlanta Tech Village, which at atlanta.startupgossip.com your hosts Sanjay Parekh and Adam 103,000 sq ft is the largest technology Weekly newsletter providing the latest Walker. Sanjay and Adam dish about entrepreneur center in the Southeast. startup happenings and the best technology and often other seemingly upcoming events for the startup random topics. Gather Good community in Atlanta. gathergoodatl.com Gather Good is Atlanta’s social impact Tech Square ATL curator. They share stories about the techsquareatl.com people and causes that make this city Tech Square ATL tells the stories about great, resources that can give you a leg the heart of the Atlanta tech scene. up, and events that celebrate community. Breakthrough talent, breakthrough ideas, and breakthrough companies. HubGA hubga.com/ Hub focuses on the news, insights trends and culture that are at the intersection of Georgia’s emerging technology community. Hub strives to reach tech-focused innovators, entrepreneurs and corporations through its network of branded media properties: HUBGA.com, Hub Magazine, Hubwire, & Hubworthy.

07 08 GROUPS & EVENTS Each week there’s something new happening within the ecosystem. Learn about what events, groups, and associations are actively meeting throughout the year.

09 10 GROUPS GROUPS & EVENTS & EVENTS ASSOCIATIONS GROUPS

Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) Women Only Entrepreneurs (WOE) 1 Million Cups Health 2.0 Atlanta eoatlanta.com woeatl.com 1millioncups.com/atlanta meetup.com/Health-2-0-Atlanta EO’s Accelerator program enables W.O.E. is galvanizing unstoppable women 1millioncups.com/cherokee Health 2.0 is a networking group designed first-stage entrepreneurs to catapult your by bringing a fresh and authentic vibe to a Million Cups is a national initiative of the to connect Atlanta’s healthcare technology business to the next level. Empowering growing community of female founders Kauffman Foundation to educate, inspire, community. entrepreneurs with the tools needed to who are not afraid to shine a light on the and connect entrepreneurs. grow their business to more than $1 inner work it takes to create outward Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) million in sales and provide you with the success. ATL Fashion Collective meetup.com/lit_atlanta, litatl.org skills to make yourself a better www.atlfashtech.com The Latinos in Tech Atlanta (LiT ATL) is a entrepreneur and leader. ATL Fashion Tech Collective is a group of individuals interested in community at the intersection of fashion & developing, promoting, fostering, Launchpad2X tech that encourages collaboration, strengthening, and improving the Latino/a launchpad2x.com promotion, and innovative partnerships. tech community in Atlanta. Come hang Launchpad2x is an entrepreneurial out, grab a beer, and meet other latinos ecosystem supporting women who are Atlanta Black Tech Ecosystem who love tech and startups. founders/leaders/ majority owners of their atlblacktech.com startup and emerging businesses. A coalition of individuals, organizations RitzGroup and companies working to define and ritzgroup.org MIT Enterprise Forum organize the Black Tech community in The premier networking group connecting mitforumatlanta.org Atlanta. Collectively we strive to improve entrepreneurs and investors, dedicated to The MIT Enterprise Forum's mission is to the quality, quantity, and connections for growing new businesses, creating new inform, connect, and coach technology people of African descent in the Atlanta jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader entrepreneurs—enabling them to rapidly Tech ecosystem in economic growth. transform ideas into world-changing companies. We are a global network of Atlanta Startup Drinks Technologists of Color local organizations, inspired by MIT, and atlsuds.com techsofcolor.org open to the world. Atlanta’s Startup Drinks is a meetup for Technologists of Color is a passionate those interested in entrepreneurship and collection of professionals from the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) technology. information technology arena. The tagonline.org community is committed to building the TAG is a world-class membership Code for Atlanta African American tech community in organization and an engine for economic codeforatlanta.org Atlanta. Their primary goal is to connect development for the state of Georgia. Code for Atlanta uses civic minded tech professionals, entrepreneurs, technologists, designers, and subject "newbies" as well as "career changers" so TiE Atlanta matter experts to improve Atlanta. that they can share knowledge, resources atlanta.tie.org and opportunities. TiE is a non-profit, global community FinTech Atlanta fintechatlanta.org welcoming entrepreneurs from all over the Women in Technology (WIT) FinTech Atlanta is a coalition of companies world to change the face of mywit.org entrepreneurship and growing business (from Fortune 500s to startups) and other WIT's mission is to serve as passionate through their five pillars; mentoring, organizations working to cement Atlanta advocates for women of all ages in Georgia’s networking, education, incubating and as the recognized global capital of STEAM community. WIT passionately funding. financial technology. supports women at every stage of their STEAM careers—from the classroom to the boardroom. They do this by telling the stories of successful women and by helping more women write their own. 11 12 GROUPS GROUPS & EVENTS & EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS

ATDC Entrepreneurs Night Local Collective Startup Runway atdc.org/atdc-news/entrepreneurs-night meetatroam.com/blog/announcing-roam startuprunway.co Entrepreneurs' Night is a fun, informal event s-new-event-series-local-collective/ Judges grant a $10,000, strings-free prize held every month at ATDC filled with some Local Collective is a monthly event hosted check supported by sponsor donations. of the best networking for Georgia’s by Roam which brings an Atlanta leader to Twice a year technology startup entrepreneurs, complete share their personal experiences and with food and drinks. industry knowledge for the betterment of SuperNova South 3rd Thursday of every month the community as a whole. upernovasouth.org Monthly SuperNova South is the Southeast’s ATDC Startup Showcase largest & longest-running tech conference. atdcstartupshowcase.com Made in Atlanta For five full days, attendees have access to The ATDC Startup Showcase gathers Made in Atlanta (#madeinatlanta) is a ten content-rich tracks, evening events, entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders monthly event about the best brands that keynotes, exclusive opportunities with to discover startups and showcase their are made right here in Atlanta. The focus community partners, and opportunities for technologies. is on the brand story - details that aren't both structured and unstructured Annual discussed often. networking every day. Monthly Annual Atlanta Startup Battle atlantastartupbattle.com Pitch Practice TEDxPeachtree A free-to-enter competition for tech pitchpractice.co tedxpeachtree.com startups, Atlanta Startup Battle creates Pitch Practice allows individuals to TEDxPeachtree is one of the most funding opportunities at the earliest stage. practice their pitch and receive feedback established TEDx groups in the state of An all day mentoring session for the top from their peers every Friday after ATV’s Georgia and one of 10,000 TEDx groups 10, and a $100,000 investment in the Startup Chowdown. across the globe. At our annual show, we winner are key components to its Every Friday seek to bring a TED-like experience approach to company building. through live speakers from Georgia and Quarterly RAISE Forum beyond, and recorded TED Talks. raiseforum.com Annual Atlanta Startup Village RAISE Forum introduces the best meetup.com/Atlanta-Startup-Village companies to interested and active The Consumer Show Atlanta Startup Village is a Atlanta’s investors in a concise and efficient day of theconsumer.show largest monthly pitch event designed to formal presentations and informal The Consumer Show is hosted by discuss roadblocks and solutions to consultations. Candidates also receive Switchyards and highlights five B2C improve within the entrepreneurial mentoring from professors and local startups every month. process through a five minute business business professionals. Monthly pitch model. Twice a year Last Monday of every month Venture Atlanta Startup Chowdown ventureatlanta.org Atlanta Startup Week atlantatechvillage.com/events/ The region’s largest investor showcase atlanta.startupweek.co startup-chowdown/ connects entrepreneurs, venture A five day celebration of the startup Notorious for its incredibly long lines and capitalists, bankers, and angel investors community, Atlanta Startup week was catered lunches, Startup Chowdown who can help raise capital needed to designed for entrepreneurs by welcomes all entrepreneurs to network grown businesses. entrepreneurs. with one another and and become actively Annual Annual engaged within the startup community every Friday at Atlanta Tech Village. Every Friday 13 14 PLACES

With over 30 startup-focused workspaces in and around the ATL, you can work from practically anywhere you’d like. Check out the many co-working spaces, clubs, and even co-living opportunities in our ecosystem and find the right community for your needs.

15 16 PLACES PLACES CO-LIVING/CLUBS CO-LIVING/CLUBS

Co-Lab Tech Square ATL Flatiron City NEX Atlanta joincolab.co techsquareatl.com flatironcity.com nexatlanta.com Co-LaB creates co-living spaces for Tech Square ATL is membership The Flatiron Building, ‘FlatironCity’, is a NEX is a coworking space in the Grant optimized social interaction, shared community dedicated to connecting you melting pot for entrepreneurs and Park neighborhood of Atlanta and is a resources and collaboration. We develop to people at the heart of Atlanta’s tech corporations. The refurbished office self-described community of nerds, enriched living experiences for individuals scene. Enjoy special events and a building houses a diverse tenant base creatives, tech companies and to develop their ventures and holistically collaborative workspace. Membership is including the WEI an incubator for women entrepreneurs. grow themselves as leaders. open to anyone who believes in the founded companies and B2B start-ups 318 Cherokee Ave SE #104 importance of coming together with who are increasing economic productivity Atlanta, GA 30312 DreamHouse people from different fields to learn from, in the airlines, logistics, chemical/refinery, www.staydreamhouse.com collaborate with, and inspire each other. digital advertising and music industries. Post-Oce Cowork post-oce-cowork.com DreamHouse sets out to build co-living 848 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308 84 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 spaces that bring together entrepreneurs Currently located in Underground Atlanta, from all stages to live, work, and grow Switchyards IgniteHQ Post Office is ATL's first pop up coworking under the same roof. switchyards.com ignitehq.co space allowing users to purchase pass Switchyards is a members-only consumer IgniteHQ connects startups and packs to be used at any of their locations. The Guild & design-focused club dedicated to entrepreneurs with international 86 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 theguildatl.com creating more B2C winners. accelerators, funding opportunities and The Guild is a social enterprise developing 151 Ted Turner Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 talent to scale globally. We accelerate Roam co-living spaces + holistic accelerator startups, cultivate job growth and provide meetatroam.com programs to empower changemakers and The Gathering Spot market expansion resources in the SE. Roam is the innovator’s workplace, a meeting and gathering experience for the build resilient communities. thegatheringspot.club 57 Waddell St SE, Marietta, GA 30060 The Gathering Spot is an Atlanta based new workforce, located in five locations The Lola invite-only private membership club Industrious across metro Atlanta. the-lola.com established to connect a network of industriousoce.com/city/atlanta Roam Alpharetta - 5815 Windward Pkwy The Lola is a community, work, and social creators, disruptors, entrepreneurs, With four locations and more than 800 #302, Alpharetta, GA 30005 / Roam space that empowers women to achieve executives, artists and forward thinkers members, Industrious is Atlanta's largest Dunwoody - 1155 Mount Vernon Hwy NE, their ambitions. The Lola’s mission is to community for coworking and shared office who want to elevate their professional and Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30338 / Roam build a community and space where a social lives. space. Members enjoy complimentary Buckhead - 3365 Piedmont Rd NE Suite diverse group of women can come access to all their workspaces across the 384 Northyards Boulevard Northwest, 1400, Atlanta, GA 30305 / Roam Galleria together to create opportunities, inspire Building 100, Atlanta, GA 30313 city - and the country. - 3101 Cobb Pkwy #124, Atlanta, GA one another to take on new challenges Industrious Buckhead - 309 East Paces 30339 / Roam Perimeter Center - 1151 and continue to push for better. Ferry Rd NE Suite 400, Atlanta, GA Hammond Dr NE Suite 240, Atlanta, GA 30305 / Industrious Midtown - 1447 30346 Peachtree St NW Suite 700, Atlanta, GA 30309 / Industrious Ponce City Market - Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE #8500, Atlanta, GA 30308 / Industrious West Midtown - 976 Brady Ave NW Ste. 100, Atlanta, GA 30318 / Industrious Perimeter - 7000 Central Parkway, Suite 1100, Atlanta, GA 30328

17 18 PLACES PLACES WORKSPACES WORKSPACES

3411 Coworking Circle+Moon Russell Center for Innovation & Strongbox West 3411coworking.com circleandmoon.com Entrepreneurship strongboxwest.com 3411 Coworking is a shared workspace in Circle + Moon is a work & community rcie.co Strongbox West is Atlanta's finest cowork the heart of Downtown Chamblee, one of space for women in the breathtaking Loft The Russell Center for Innovation and facility, providing comfortable, professional, the most vibrant cities in Georgia. on the Square in Historic Downtown Entrepreneurship (RCIE) is designed to & affordable shared work space. 3411 Pierce Dr #100, Chamblee, GA 30341 Roswell. connect the next generation of minority 1040 West Marietta St NW 595 Atlanta Street unit A and B entrepreneurs to the tools and relationships Atlanta, GA 30318 Alkaloid Networks Roswell, GA 30075 required to turn dreams into reality. alkaloid.net 504 Fair St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313 Tech Square Labs Alkaloid Networks is Atlanta’s friendly Constellations techsquare.co coworking community on the Beltline. constellations.community Sandy Springs Innovation Center Tech Square Labs provides coworking 691 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE C Constellations is a civic, social, & business sandyspringstechcenter.com space, company building, and early stage Atlanta, GA 30312 galaxy where stars come together and Sandy Springs Innovation Center is a investing. shine. Offering co-working, dedicated brand new, state-of-the-art co-working, 859 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308 Atlanta Tech Park desks, private offices & studies, shared private office, and event space in the heart atlantatechpark.com workspace and fresh cookies. of the Perimeter Market. The Circuit Atlanta Tech Park is a global collaborative 135 Auburn Ave NE 2nd Floor 1000 Abernathy Road NE, Building 400 circuitwoodstock.com workspace with offices, dedicated open Atlanta, GA 30303 Suite L-2, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 The Circuit, a new space in Woodstock, space and memberships designed to provides a gathering point and physical promote growth. Located in Peachtree Decatur CoWorks SharedSpace ATL space for entrepreneurs and startups. Corner’s new innovation hub just outside decaturcoworks.com/en sharedspaceatl.com 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock, GA 30188 the perimeter, their diverse membership Decatur CoWorks is a place to work, learn SharedSpace is a coworking space designed community of executives, professionals and share. With prices starting at for start-up companies, especially those in The Globe Hub and entrepreneurs provides access to $80/month. an early stage (1-15 employees). Locations in theglobehub.com connect and innovate. 708 Church St, Decatur, GA 30030 Dunwoody & Galleria. he Globe Hub is a coworking space that 107 Technology Parkway, SharedSpace Dunwoody - 4470 promotes high energy, hard work, and Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 Digital Ignition Chamblee Dunwoody Rd #510, Atlanta, creative innovation. digitalignition.com GA 30338 / SharedSpace Cobb - 2424 1954 Airport Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341 Digital Ignition offers tech entrepreneurs a Atlanta Tech Village (ATV) Herodian Way Atlanta, GA 30080 atlantatechvillage.com place to create, develop, network, and WeWork Atlanta Tech Village is building a thriving thrive. They are focused on providing wework.com/l/atlanta--GA SPACES early-stage tech companies with a working WeWork provides workspace, community, ecosystem in the tech community. Their spacesworks.com mission is to support and inspire environment that is conducive to SPACES is a creative platform for an and services for a global network of entrepreneurs to achieve success through innovation, sharing, flexibility, and growth. international entrepreneurial community. creators. a community that promotes faster 190 Bluegrass Valley Pkwy They offer dynamic work areas for you to WeWork Tower Place - 3340 Peachtree connections between talent, ideas and Alpharetta, GA 30005 think, create and grow. Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 / WeWork capital. SPACES Midtown - 715 Peachtree St NW Colony Square - 1175 Peachtree St NW, Elevator Factory 3423 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 Atlanta, GA 30361 / WeWork 1372 elevatorfactory.com 2nd FLSuite 100, Atlanta, GA 30308 / SPACES at The Battery - 800 Battery Ave Peachtree - 1372 Peachtree St NW, Berthold Builiding Elevator Factory’s collaborative space is bertholdbuilding.com/en made for individuals, teams, and events of SE, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30339 Atlanta, GA 30309 Located a half block from the corner of all creative backgrounds. Ponce de Leon at Monroe, the Berthold 437 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 Building is the small office/shared space for super heroes & entrepreneurs. 741 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

19 20 EDUCATION & CAREER RESOURCES

Whether you're still a student or looking to gain new skills for a career shift, the ecosystem is here for you. Discover local coding & design schools as well as what university resources are available within the community.

21 22 Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) Women Only Entrepreneurs (WOE) eoatlanta.com woeatl.com EO’s Accelerator program enables W.O.E. is galvanizing unstoppable women first-stage entrepreneurs to catapult your by bringing a fresh and authentic vibe to a business to the next level. Empowering growing community of female founders entrepreneurs with the tools needed to who are not afraid to shine a light on the grow their business to more than $1 inner work it takes to create outward million in sales and provide you with the success. skills to make yourself a better entrepreneur and leader.

Launchpad2X launchpad2x.com Launchpad2x is an entrepreneurial ecosystem supporting women who are founders/leaders/ majority owners of their startup and emerging businesses.

MIT Enterprise Forum mitforumatlanta.org The MIT Enterprise Forum's mission is to inform, connect, and coach technology entrepreneurs—enabling them to rapidly transform ideas into world-changing companies. We are a global network of local organizations, inspired by MIT, and open to the world.

Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) tagonline.org TAG is a world-class membership organization and an engine for economic development for the state of Georgia.

TiE Atlanta atlanta.tie.org TiE is a non-profit, global community welcoming entrepreneurs from all over the world to change the face of entrepreneurship and growing business through their five pillars; mentoring, networking, education, incubating and funding.

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

Black Men Code Thinkful CREATE-X Georgia State Entrepreneurship & blackmencode.org thinkful.com/bootcamp/atlanta create-x.gatech.edu/front Innovation Institute Black Men Code is a fiscally sponsored, Thinkful is where world-class online CREATE-X is an initiative designed to eni.gsu.edu non-profit, social benefit organization. technology curriculum meets a real-world build entrepreneurial confidence among Dedicated to engagement, innovation and Their mission is to provide free and professional network. Thinkful hosts students at Georgia Tech. Startups going impact through entrepreneurship, the low-cost training in computer meetups in several locations throughout through CREATE-X programs have raised Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute programming that inspires and motivates downtown and midtown Atlanta, as well outside capital, executed successful blends education and application through Black men to: (1) pursue education in as surrounding areas like Alpharetta and crowdfunding campaigns, and secured undergraduate and graduate courses, STEM fields and (2) participate in the Buckhead, to build a strong community large corporate clients. panel and guest speaker events, innovation economy through amongst our students, mentors, and hiring competitions, student organizations, a entrepreneurship. partners. Every week, they host free E-House living-learning community, and events for beginner and intermediate eni.gsu.edu/ehouse incubation/acceleration. Big Nerd Ranch learners and special events for members. The Entrepreneurship House (E-House) bignerdranch.com/training Living Learning Community provides Herman J. Russell, Sr. Center for The Big Nerd Ranch functions as a MENTORSHIP & TRAINING students at Georgia State University with Entrepreneurship development agency providing entrepreneurial ambitions the chance to eni.gsu.edu/russell-center end-to-end mobile solutions for a range of SCORE live, learn, and connect with others who The Russell Center for Entrepreneurship app development projects and they also atlanta.score.org share similar interests and aspirations. was endowed by Mr. Russell to empower a offer two types of programming classes: At SCORE whether you’re just starting out, E-House is located in the University new generation of passionate leaders. The public bootcamps and private corporate in business, or ready to sell or retire, you Commons housing complex. center offers competitions, a speaker training. can get FREE, confidential, business series and other programming to help advice from expert advisors committed to Emory Entrepreneur & Venture educate students, alumni and other Digital Crafts helping you succeed. Meet face-to-face in Management (EEVM) members of the Atlanta entrepreneurial digitalcrafts.com one of our mentoring locations or connect eevm.org community. DigitalCrafts is a top-rated coding with one of our online mentors. Emory Entrepreneurship & Venture bootcamp with campuses in Atlanta, GA Management is Emory's first campus-wide Launch GSU Student Incubator and Houston, TX. Small Business Development Center organization that directly promotes an launch.gsu.edu (SBDC) entrepreneurial atmosphere on campus. A 24/7 access collaboration space for General Assembly georgiasbdc.org EEVM was founded in May 2013 and since students to work on their startup projects, generalassemb.ly/atlanta The Small Business Development Center then, has become the fastest growing meet like-minded students, hear from General Assembly offers full-time courses, (SBDC) provides tools, training and organization at Emory by hosting events community thought leaders, attend part-time courses, and workshops in resources to help small businesses grow like Startup Crunch, Innovation Series, and events, host meetings, and rally together coding, data science, design, digital and succeed. The SBDC has 17 offices hackATL. to produce innovative projects. marketing, and product management. ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business Emory Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (E3) Morehouse College Entrepreneurship Tech Talent South community. Since 1977, their network of entrepreneurship.emory.edu/index.html Center (MCEC) techtalentsouth.com partners has helped construct a statewide The Emory Entrepreneurship Ecosystem is mcecenter.com/main.php Tech Talent South is a southern-based ecosystem to foster the spirit, support, a communal space for students interested The Morehouse College Entrepreneurship tech education company that offers and success of hundreds of thousands of in and passionate for entrepreneurship. Center is a global model for higher programs ranging from 8-week, full-time entrepreneurs and innovators. Within the ecosystem, students will education and industry collaborations, code immersion bootcamps to 2-day data network and take advantage of programs that connect education with analysis workshops.. mentorship opportunities while gathering student leadership development, and information and preparing for next steps community-focused resources and in entrepreneurship ventures. support.

23 24 EDUCATION & CAREER EDUCATION & CAREER RESOURCES RESOURCES UNIVERSITY JOB BOARD

Shore Entrepreneurship Center Atlanta Startup Jobs coles.kennesaw.edu/ec/ atlantastartupjobs.com At the Robin and Doug Shore Job postings for Atlanta's booming Entrepreneurship Center in the Coles startup scene. Find Atlanta’s latest start College of Business, they pride themselves up jobs posted each day. on training students and entrepreneurs who desire to better themselves, others, Hypepotamus Job Board and society. They achieve this by bringing hypepotamus.com/job-board/ together the “best of the best” in From Intern to CTO, submit your opening entrepreneurship and providing for free! transformational programs and Atlanta Tech Village Job Board experiences to their community. atlantatechvillage.com/about-us/job-board/ Want to work at a startup? Check out all VentureLab the openings from startups that call the venturelab.gatech.edu Village home! VentureLab works with faculty and students to create startups based on Georgia Tech research using evidence-based entrepreneurship.

Startup Exchange startup.exchange Startup Exchange is the largest student entrepreneurial community at Georgia Tech. They support and inspire our students to create and develop their ventures. They promote entrepreneurship education at Georgia Tech by organizing speaker events, workshops, and panels for students. They connect students with startups through their network of fellow students, founders, and mentors.

25 26 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.

27 28 PROGRAMS PROGRAMS ACCELERATORS INCUBATORS

Ascend2020 Greenhouse Accelerator 22 Tech Park BuiltxWomen ascend2020atl.com greencs.org/greenhouse 22techpark.com builtxwomen.com/ JPMorgan Chase & Co. has partnered with Greenhouse Accelerator supports startups 22TechPark offers technology entrepreneurs BuiltxWomen is a pilot six-month program Morehouse College Entrepreneurship over a span of three years seeking a place to create, develop, network, and consisting of bi-weekly learning labs Center and TechSquare Labs to launch candidates whose products and services flourish. Our mission is to provide early stage culminating in the development of Ascend2020 Atlanta, a technology startup impact positive resource use. IT startups with a working environment that problem-solving products built by Black and small business support ecosystem for is conducive to teamwork, sharing, flexibility, and Latinx women. minority-led companies throughout NeuroLaunch and execution. Metropolitan Atlanta. neurolaunch.com Endeavor Atlanta NeuroLaunch, the world’s first Advanced Technology Development endeavoratlanta.org CyberLaunch neuroscience startup accelerator, serves as Center (ATDC) Endeavor's goal is to transform local cyberlaunch.vc the most robust community of atdc.org/ economies by selecting entrepreneurs CyberLaunch is the leading accelerator for neuroscience innovators, investors, and The Advanced Technology Development whose companies can create significant information security and machine learning thought leaders. Center (ATDC) at Georgia Tech is Georgia’s jobs, revenue, and wealth. startups. Twice a year we invest in a select technology incubator. Founded in 1980, number of startups (up to $100k per Points of Light Civic Accelerator ATDC has developed a global reputation for Goodie Nation startup). cvcx.org fostering technological entrepreneurship. goodienation.org The Points of Light Civic Accelerator Goodie Nation is a social impact Engage Growth Program "CivicX" is the first national accelerator Atlanta International Startup Exchange pre-accelerator that provides a role for all engage.vc/about program and investment fund in the atlsistercities.org/startup-exchange people to play in an innovative process The Engage growth program is held twice country focused on "civic ventures" -- Atlanta International Startup Exchange is a solving some of the world’s toughest a year, Fall and Spring. The program is for-profit and nonprofit early stage two-week residency program with Atlanta's problems. Their programming develops particularly interested in technically-leaning ventures that include people as part of the sister city Toulouse, France. Which innovators through training and support as teams in the IoT, AI, FinTech, logistics, and solution to critical social problems. provides selected companies a platform for well as social enterprises via a 6-month blockchain spaces and business models global expansion as well to identify process. with recurring revenue potential. Start: ME potential partners, investors, clients, and startmeaccelerator.org access to one of the world’s largest Prototype Prime Flashpoint @Georgia Tech Start Micro-Entrepreneur Accelerator aerospace industry clusters. prototypeprime.com flashpoint.gatech.edu Program is designed for the most Prototype Prime is an incubator that Flashpoint @ Georgia Tech combines promising micro-entrprenuers and BIG Incubator focuses on early stage software and startup engineering techniques and highly businesses managing smaller teams. digitalundivided.com/incubator/ hardware technology startups. individualized mentorship to help startups BIG is a 26 week incubator program for understand their customer’s and market fit. Techstars Atlanta high potential Black and Latinx women Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative techstars.com/programs/atlanta-program founders of tech enabled startups centered (WEI) Founder Institute Techstars Atlanta, in partnership with Cox in an experiential learning/doing weiatlanta.com fi.co/s/atlanta Enterprises, enables startups that drive environment. WEI serves to provide unprecedented The Founder Institute is the world’s positive change in a interconnected world. access to the human, educational and premier idea-stage accelerator and startup Bridge Community financial capital critical to empowering early launch program. Through a challenging The Farm ATL bridgecommunity.com/home.html stage company-building entrepreneurs, curriculum and strong post-program thefarmatl.com The Bridge Community is a unique who just so happen to be women. support, they provide aspiring The Farm offers a variety of programs to entrepreneurial community model, backed by entrepreneurs with structure, mentorship, support and nurture selected startups and an exclusive set of large corporates, focused and a network to start an enduring entrepreneurs, including a twice-a-year, on growing communities through company. three-month accelerator program, corporate-startup collaboration. The program premium incubator office space, cutting targets early stage or growth state technology edge hardware prototype lab and companies that fit one of three themes: coworking. FinTech,Engagement/Retail, and IoT. 29 30 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.

31 32 FUNDING & CAPITAL FUNDING & CAPITAL ANGELFUNDING NON-TRADITIONAL

Atlanta Tech Angels Southeast Investor Network Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Goizueta Student Impact Investing Fund angelatlanta.com southeastinvestorgroup.com (ACE) goizuetaimpactinvestors.com Group of accredited angel investors that Southeast Investor Group is a peer to peer aceloans.org The Emory University Goizueta Business provides early-stage, technology membership composed of partners from ACE is a non-profit organization that School MBA student led loan fund seeks to entrepreneurs with more than funding 30 of the Venture Capital Funds in the provides loans and business development invest $10,000 - $30,000 in socially-minded Southeast, five corporate venture funds, resources to help its borrowers create and enterprises throughout the Atlanta region. Black Angel Tech Fund (BATF) and 25 individual investors (highly grow sustainable businesses which Since 2014, GII has provided over $75,000 in blackangeltechfund.com successful tech executives who have built generate jobs. low-interest loans to organizations The BATF is a venture capital firm focused and exited sizable companies) transforming education, skills-training, and on making seed and early stage Atlanta MBDA Business Center recidivism across Atlanta. investments in startup technology The Ritz Group mbdabusinesscenter-atlanta.org companies ritzgroup.org MBDA provides business and technical Invest Atlanta Small Business Loan The premier networking group connecting assistance that helps emerging and Programs Curate Entrepreneurs and Investors, dedicated to existing MBEs experience significant investatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/ curatefor.us growing new businesses,creating new growth and sustainability and have a Flyer-Small-Business-Loans-2017-1.pdf Transforming the South's entrepreneurial jobs, and positioning Georgia as the leader long-term economic impact through the Invest Atlanta provides gap financing through landscape by flooding its participants with in economic growth creation of jobs and revenue. various loan programs to small, minority and the resources they need to thrive - on a female-owned businesses to expand and/or scale never before pursued TiE Atlanta Angels Atlanta Micro Fund (AMF) relocate in the City of Atlanta. The purpose of TiE Angels seeks to invest capital in atlantamicrofund.org these loans is to revitalize targeted First Monday's Investment Group companies to build the foundation The AMF Loan Program was designed for commercial neighborhood areas, promote First Monday is a private investment group yielding a profitable business or those individuals with a business or business business development projects and stimulate modeled after "Shark Tank". Start up seeking a first significant round of venture idea that needs financial assistance with job creation within the City. companies present their business model capital financing. TiE Angels looks for enhancing or expanding the business, or to an accredited investor panel seeking to unique companies developing products, or making the business idea a reality. The Square 1 Bank raise capital to start or grow their those that are tech-focused or micro loan program is a revolving loan square1bank.com business. First Monday is a private tech-enabled. fund that provides loans from $100 to Square 1 Bank, a division of Pacific Western bi-monthly meeting that is invitation only $10,000 to businesses. Bank, specializes in providing financial and includes 40 - 50 attendees who are services to entrepreneurs and their investors, innovators, start up junkies and Developing Entrepreneurs Businesses investors. successful business men and women. and Companies (DEBCO) debco.org The Awesome Foundation DEBCO is a private nonprofit financial awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/atlanta Gathering of Angels services organization established in 1999. gatheringofangels.com The Atlanta Chapter of the Awesome At Gathering of Angels you will find They exist to Develop Entrepreneurs, Foundation's grants support projects in mature and seasoned Angel Investors and Businesses and Communities by sciences, arts, education, civic engagement, Investment Bankers who listen to with supporting economic and community media, and entertainment, just about high interest to your presentation pitch for development activities and providing anything as long as it contributes to making capital, and if interested will write a check small businesses with access to capital Atlanta more AWESOME! to your new venture 1-30 days after your and other services. We prioritize our first presentation at GOA services to minority and woman-owned Village Microfund businesses and those located in selected villagemicrofund.com economic revitalization corridors. The Village Micro Fund is a grassroots micro finance organization with the mission to empower entrepreneurs in Metro Atlanta by providing access to capital, business education, and a “Village” of support. 33 34 FUNDING & CAPITAL FUNDING & CAPITAL VENTURE CAPITAL VENTURE CAPITAL

151 Locust Big Path Capital Eastside Partners Jump Fund 151locust.com/?page_id=369 bigpathcapital.com eastsidepartners.com thejumpfund.com/entrepreneurs The 151 Locust Fund One LLC is a Big Path Capital connects impact and Eastside Partners invests primarily in The JumpFund invests in early-stage, $100,000 fund established for the sustainable private equity, venture capital Healthcare and Information Technology women-led, high-growth ventures purpose of providing seed funding to and private debt fund managers with companies based in the southeastern metro-Atlanta technology startups. The mission-aligned institutional investors . They focus on regional Kinetic Ventures Members of the fund are experienced, around the world. Working with over 80 businesses looking to scale their sales kineticventures.com successful, Atlanta based entrepreneurs impact and sustainable fund managers, efforts nationally, with a preference for First institutional funding for who have founded or co-founder at least Big Path Capital is the global leader for companies characterized by defensible entrepreneurs one technology startup, grown that impact in the private equity sector. strategic positioning, rapid customer ROI, company and then successfully sold the and recurring revenue. Leaders Fund company. BLH Ventures leaders-fund.com Helping entrepreneurs build storied SaaS blhventures.com Forte Ventures Accuitive Medical Ventures (AVM) Early stage investment firm focused on forteventures.com companies amvpartners.com funding innovation Forte Venture invest across a diversified AMV is a medical device venture capital set of industry sectors including: IT, Mosley Ventures firm. Buckhead Investment Partners mobility, digital media, fintech, and mosleyventures.com bip-capital.com Venture capital fund investing in early industrial technology. Alchemus Capital BIP Capital is recognized as one of the stage technology startups in Atlanta and most active venture investors in the the Southeast alchemuscapital.com Fulcrum Equity Partners Alchemus Capital is a partner fund of Southeast, areas of focus include software, fulcrumep.com Loeb Capital that serves as our anchor LP healthcare IT, digital media, franchise, and Fulcrum Equity Partners manages over Noro-Mosley Partners (NMP) investor. They have a diversified portfolio Ed tech $350 million and makes equity investments noromoseley.com NMP provides leading entrepreneurs with of high caliber deals across verticals with in rapidly growing business that are led by energy, connections and expertise to build companies able to scale and position for Cedar Ventures strong entrepreneurs and management cedarventures.com world-class companies cross-borders commercialization coming teams. They target companies within the Financial advisory/consulting and Peachtree Equity from our exclusive global trust network. healthcare, B2B SaaS and technology investment banking firm that raises debt peachtreeequity.com They focus on inclusion, including women enabled services industries. Peachtree Equity provides subordinated and global, multi-cultural entrepreneurs. and equity capital for companies debt and equity securities to middle Georgia Oak Partners market companies Assurant Growth Investing (AGI) Croft & Bender Capital georgiaoakpartners.com croft-bender.com assurant.com/assurant-growth-investing Georgia Oak Partners invest growth equity Croft & Bender is a provider of superior Propeller Investments AGI is the corporate venture capital into companies positioned for topline M&A, capital raising, and financial advisory propellerinvestments.com initiative of Assurant, a global leader in acceleration Private equity firm focused on making technology-enabled risk management services to middle market and emerging growth companies investments within the aerospace and solutions. AGI invests in venture and GRA Venture Fund transportation fields growth stage technology companies that graventurefund.org may be complementary or disruptive to CTW Venture Partners The GRA Venture Fund, LLC is a private ctwvp.com RAISE Forum Assurant’s core businesses. investment fund created to help finance CTW Venture Partners is changing the raiseforum.com promising companies emerging from world by investing in companies that are The RAISE Forum is creating local funding Atlanta Ventures Georgia's universities creating products that will change the way for in-revenue companies that need an atlantaventures.com the world operates investment round between $1MM and Atlanta Ventures invests in technology Gray Ghost Ventures (GGV) $5MM. RAISE is working with Emory companies that put culture first, provide a grayghostventures.com University's Goizueta Business School; we great service, and love what they do GGV seeks to eliminate poverty and have a healthcare bias but are strengthen communities through catalytic, industry-agnostic early-stage investments in the developing 35 world 36 FUNDING & CAPITAL FUNDING & CAPITAL VENTURE CAPITAL INCENTIVES

Resurgens Technology Partners The Seraph Group Invest Georgia Exemption Georgia Research Alliance Fund of 2008 resurgenstech.com seraphgroup.net sos.ga.gov/admin/files/Invest_Georgia_ gra.org/page/1038/gra_ventures.html Resurgens Technology Partners invests in Seraph is building a diversified portfolio of Exemption_-_Form_GA-1.pdf Gives a 25% tax credit only to limited emerging software and early-stage companies in high-growth Permits intrastate crowdfunding; partners within the fund. The GRA fund is technology-enabled services businesses sectors aggregate amount Georgia-based seeded with taxpayer funds of between based in North America. companies can raise in a year increased $7,000,000 and $10,000,000. TTV Capital from $1 to $5 million. Stanley Ventures ttvcapital.com Opportunity Zones stanleyventures.com TTV invests in fintech businesses that Startup Tax Exemption investatlanta.com/business/bonds- Stanley Ventures is the venture capital arm serve the widely varying needs of the investatlanta.com/opportunities/atlanta- incentives/opportunity-zones/ of Stanley Black & Decker. In search of financial services sector and the startup-tax-exemption/ Available for new or existing businesses innovation in areas related to: tools and consumers of financial products Provides a tax exemption for new and that create two or more jobs which can be storage, hospital and healthcare services, emerging technology businesses. Provides taken against the business’s Georgia commercial sercurity, pipeline services, Valor Ventures an exemption for businesses from paying income tax liability and payroll fastening solutions, & infrastructure valor.vc the City’s license. withholding tax. The credit is available for products. Valor Ventures invests in hypergrowth areas designated by DCA as an tech startups outside of tier 1 cities after Investment Tax Credit “Opportunity Zone”. georgia.org/competitive-advantages/ Tech Square Ventures they have their first customers and are The maximum Job Tax Credit allowed tax-credits/investment/ techsquareventures.com hungry to scale their success under law - $3,500 per job created. Income tax credit available to existing Tech Square Ventures is an Atlanta based manufacturing or telecommunications seed and early stage venture capital firm 11-11 Ventures businesses that have operated a facility in that partners with visionary entrepreneurs 11-11ventures.com Georgia for three years prior with a building high growth tech startups; 11-11 Ventures is an innovation-driven venture qualifying investment of $50,000 or more, specifically Cloud, IoT, or University capital firm investing and growing early and can be from 1-5% on new investment. Spinouts leveraging the strengths of the stage technology companies run by the

Southeast and area research universities best entrepreneurial minds in the world. Angel Investor Tax Credit georgia.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/0 TechOperators 3/Angel_Investor_Tax_Credit.pdf techoperators.com The law provides an individual state tax Early stage venture capital firm investing credit of up $50,000 on an annual basis in emerging software companies with high for individual angel investors who invest in growth potential early stage, “qualified” Georgia companies between 2015 and 2018. TechSquare Labs techsquare.co/fund Research and Development Tax Credit TechSquare Labs invests in technical georgia.org/competitive-advantages/tax- founders with bold ideas. With tech credits/research-and-development/ entrepreneurs as founding partners, they Eligible R&D expenditures increasing year have empathy for what it takes to build over year may qualify for this tax credit something from nothing. which can be claimed against payroll withholding after corporate income tax is exhausted.

37 38 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.

39 40 NEW ‘ROUND TOWN NEW ‘ROUND TOWN

and grow here. In light of the level of startup What are you trying to do with the and tech activity in the city, this role was TechSquare Labs BuiltxWomen program? created a year ago recognizing that as the One of the things that makes City of Atlanta, we needed to understand BuiltxWomen different is that we are NOELLE how we provide tools to support the startup DIAMONDE offering this program to developers and ecosystem. Atlanta shouldn’t just be a step go-to-market women so that we can team along the journey. We want startups to feel them up based on the problems they want supported with resources to build their to solve. If you want to be build a tech company. company, you have to have a tech person, LONDON WILLIAMSON right? Someone who can build. We want Assistant Director of Entrepreneurship What are some opportunities you’ve seen Founder, Blossom; Diversity Coordinator, this program to result in tech companies and Innovation, Invest Atlanta within the Atlanta ecosystem? TechSquare Labs built by women. Period. Our women will There are many. The first is that Atlanta has come out with a prototype that is What are the boxes that Atlanta can What problem is Blossom solving? a real opportunity to be a leader in inclusive launched into the market. If we want to check for entrepreneurs? innovation. Given the level of maturity of the We are solving two problems: First, Atlanta is not the “next” , nor create wealth for ourselves we have to ecosystem, we still have the opportunity to women of color who are actually living the should it be. We can be honest that produce more than we consume. Not only mold it to support women and minority stories the media and entertainment currently you don’t see the investment that, but we have to produce things that founders. We have the chance to build the consistently portray, never get to tell their dollars that you’re going to find in New matter. Things that people care about. ecosystem the right way — and the Atlanta own stories. Blossom provides them with a York, Boston, San Francisco. platform. And second, women of color way. That also means that as new How does Atlanta weave into your story? also deserve to watch more realistic However, beyond questions of funding, the technology affects our everyday work and I was raised in Atlanta. It was in Atlanta experiences of themselves played on second question I used to get most often the workforce is shifting because of that that I learned how to network, start a television. from entrepreneurs was the mysterious technology, we are making sure there’s a business and learn how to produce question of traction. When you think distribution of those new opportunities Blossom has that content — the type of television shows and digital content. It was about where you can find your first across the ecosystem and city. That’s a big content that millennial women of color also in Atlanta that I met a lot of the customers, where you can make sales, part of what brought me here. can see themselves in. Plus, we are not amazing women that I am working with where you can test a pilot — there are very just creating content. We are building today. I love Atlanta and I want to few cities around the country that have As a previous entrepreneur mentor, what’s businesses, realizing dreams, creating continue to build here. Right now, Blossom this concentration of corporate your number one advice for entrepreneurs? mass opportunity for millennials to foster lives online, but I have intentions of headquarters, corporate innovation I think it’s easier than ever been to be an their creativity and incubating future creating physical properties for the city. I offices, plus the number of incubators and entrepreneur in a lot of ways, which is a public figures (something I’m extremely want to bring long term economic value to accelerator programs that are here. You great thing for building early stage proud of.) the place I call home. have a supportive ecosystem to support companies. Instead of having to build out a your company’s growth and to test, website, there are free tools; as you need to Why did you decide to work for yourself? build new skill sets, there are online classes. validate and pilot your products here." I decided to work for myself because I With the rise in startup activity, there are a couldn’t find a job doing exactly what I number of communities forming to support How does Invest Atlanta fit within that wanted to do. I’m experienced in many support system? entrepreneurs. different roles and I wanted to work at a Invest Atlanta is the City of Atlanta’s Aside from looking for mentors in those company where I could foster that, but I economic development agency. We have support communities, it’s just as important kept getting pigeon-holed into one both an economic development and to build a peer network of entrepreneurs, specific role. This is my third company. community development focus. On the because it can be pretty lonely to build a Economic Development side where I sit, company. Remember that you are not alone Invest Atlanta plays a critical role in and there are a number of entrepreneurs business attraction and retention by around you going through the same leveraging a toolkit of resources that make experience. Atlanta an attractive place to set up shop 41 42 NEW ‘ROUND TOWN NEW ‘ROUND TOWN

What do you enjoy about your role? also for me the lightbulb went off — I said to On a personal level, I truly enjoy working myself, wow now I see why my career path with entrepreneurs and believe they can has been so varied and has incorporated so positively transform industries, economies, many different aspects, because this will AARON and cultures. Launching Endeavor Atlanta enable me to better support entrepreneurs. GENE offered a unique opportunity to support I have the educational piece. I know how to the best high-impact entrepreneurs in our work in a corporation. I know what it is to be market while furthering the success of an entrepreneur. I have a business Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. management training and leadership piece. HURST So I can bring all of those elements together KANSAS Director, Endeavor Atlanta to help entrepreneurs become more Founder, Constellations successful. How is Endeavor di erent from other all What inspired you as you were planning the startup programs out there? Constellations? What does The Farm bring that Atlanta One of the key differences for Endeavor is There are so many companies in Tech doesn’t already have? that we’re looking for already-scaling Square — AT&T, Panasonic, you name it — The thing that we bring is a philosophy that, entrepreneurs. We talk to startups to get BURRUNDA none of those really need more office space. it’s really about the entrepreneur. This is a to know them early on, but we’re really What they want and need is that connection different model in that it’s focused on looking for companies that are scaling. and presence to Georgia Tech — the brain enabling the entrepreneur to be successful. The definition of scaling can vary, but power and the energy and the fire you have So though there are other models that may you’ve certainly found product-market fit, there — they do it for the attraction and PRINCE- be successful for other reasons, they don’t you have a team of more than you and a retention of employees, for happiness, for necessarily focus on the entrepreneur — co-founder, and you’re posted for innovation. I have hopes that we’ll have the that’s the hero of our story. Whatever we do significant growth. You’re looking to really same type of interesting presence and we keep in mind: is this in the best interest scale your business. connection in our building and in this of the entrepreneur? JONES neighborhood, the Civil Rights District. Part of that is we look at the entrepreneur What does Endeavor o er Comcast’s The Farm ATL, entrepreneurs? Managing Director as a whole; not only do we enable and What’s the goal of the community The full-blown Endeavor service model provide the business tools that are you’re building? kicks in immediately upon selection, and What got you excited about the Boomtown necessary to succeed, we also grapple and If you look at a picture of the building on that goes until the company exits — so program and The Farm accelerator? deal with the challenges of being an the outside you’ll see this incredible work of until it gets acquired or goes public. The Well the first thing that got me excited, to entrepreneur — maybe the loneliness, art at the top which is an open book and a network really goes on forever, for the be honest, was simply the people. I met maybe the stress of it, maybe the fact that torch of knowledge. That’s the ethos of duration of the company’s existence. Toby and we sat down and just started you’re by yourself or that you’re away from what we’re really trying to embody there. It We don’t take a board seat, we have a talking — not really even about Boomtown your family. Those issues also play a big role just became very obvious and very evident streamlined approval process. We’re per se, but just a philosophy of business in in your success and how you handle things. in an instant — it was a light bulb moment. helping the entrepreneur to make their general, and how important it is to support It’s about getting like-minded, engaged fundraising process easier. We’re kind of entrepreneurs. Oftentimes entrepreneurs What is the accelerator looking for? professionals that want to make a difference like a power grid that our entrepreneurs don’t succeed because they don’t have the Certainly because of the relationship with in the world together, and giving them a can plug into, that you get access to all tools: it’s not because they don’t have a Comcast, we are interested in those startups platform, in this case a place, to let them do these tools you didn’t have before, but in great idea, but they don’t really know how where there is an intersection between their thing. And when those people get many ways we’re also like a swiss army to take that to market in a way to be media and connectivity. But with that said, together good things happen. knife. We offer these different services, successful, and he wanted to enable that. we’re also interested in all types of completely tailored to each entrepreneur. And I was more and more intrigued, but technology. We’re really interested in innovation, so it can be Fintech or health tech. What I would say to the entrepreneurs is, check us out, learn what we do, learn how we do it. See if we’re a fit for you. 43 44 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.

45 46 DICTIONARY DICTIONARY

Accelerator Burn Rate ICO (Initial Coin O ering) SaaS (Software as a Service) Accelerators provide optimal conditions for How much money a company is losing, usually Cryptocurrency is revolutionizing finance. SaaS (Software as a Service): SaaS is in the a company to grow. In exchange for a small measured per month. This is not necessarily a An ICO is when an entrepreneur sells some air: the forecast predicts cloudy with a amount of equity, an accelerator utilizes: bad sign, as burn rates are common among units of a new cryptocurrency in exchange chance of software. This cloud delivery education programs, mentorship and seed early stage startups who are unlikely to be for existing cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin makes software applications and data investment to compress years worth of turning profit yet. or Ethereum). Warning: as this trend picks accessible anywhere, anytime (as long as work into a fixed, short period of time — up and new currencies continue to develop, you have Internet connection and a web Churn Rate usually a matter of a few months — and we may either have a gold rush, or see some browser). This enables companies to Churn rate is the percentage of customers who quicken a company’s life cycle. Names you new regulations come into play. outsource information technology leave during a given period. Measured to might know include , 500 responsibilities and reduce costs associated understand why and when customers cut ties with Incubator Startups and Techstars. with investing in hardware, maintenance and a brand as well as how to improve retention. Collaborative programs providing licensing. Alpha Version businesses with the nutrients needed to Crowdfunding Think of an alpha version as the rough draft grow at their own pace. Less concerned These are the Kickstarter and GoFundMe Seed Round of an application or website. This is released with how quickly a company will grow or This early stage in funding can include angel pages that may clog your newsfeed. By raising with the intention to have users test for how large it can scale than an accelerator, funding, friends and family or crowdfunding. capital from a crowd of people, this method bugs and make functional changes. incubators support startups by providing It helps entrepreneurs get their feet on the allows entrepreneurs to tap into a wide working space, collaboration and ground and pay for preliminary operations. Angel Investor investor pool and use their social networks as mentorship. An angel investor provides capital in leverage to collect funds through a streamlined Series A exchange for ownership equity or process that doesn’t require the traditional IPO (Initial Public O ering) A company’s time to lay groundwork. Cash convertible debt in an early stage company. steps of funding. An IPO is when a private company is offered from this stage in funding is put towards to the public for the first time. This happens developing a business model so that B2B (Business to Business) Demo Day for one of two reasons; either a smaller entrepreneurs move beyond an idea on a Commerce that generates transactions Demo Day is the final hoorah when an company is seeking capital to expand or a whiteboard or a Beta towards a monetized between two businesses. A B2B enterprise accelerator cohort wraps up their program larger company is ready to be traded on the product/service. offers services or materials to other and presents their businesses to an audience market. Once a company IPOs, they are no companies. This traditional model is at the of potential customers and investors. Series B longer “private” and have to take the do not foundation of any typical supply chain. B is for Bulking. At this stage, capital is often Elevator Pitch disturb sign off their door. spent on building a talented team to take B2C (Business to Consumer) This brief pitch is meant to spark interest in the company to the next phase. The transaction between a business and its your venture. Break your product down to its Lean Startup First proposed by Eric Ries in 2008, this end user. This sales model allows businesses bare bones and use these 30 seconds (just Series C methodology is the Jenny Craig of building to communicate directly with consumers. enough time for an elevator ride) to persuade In Series C rounds, investors put more a company. Implementing this B2C skyrocketed during the dotcom boom your audience to continue into a deeper capital into aspects of a company that have businesses-driven experimentation helps when customers were able to buy items dialogue. been proven profitable so that they can entrepreneurs create and manage a product directly from retailers. continue to scale aggressively. Exit Strategy more efficiently and effectively, shortening Beta Version An entrepreneur’s strategic plan to peace out. the development cycle. Unicorn After workshopping the user feedback from Selling one’s investment allows an A unicorn company is a private company the alpha version, the beta version resolves MVP (Minimum Viable Product) valued at over $1 billion. Such successful entrepreneur to reduce or eliminate stake in This is when an entrepreneur develops a performance issues and integrates ventures have such statistical rarity that the business, either making a substantial profit product sufficient enough for early adopters modifications to existing functionality. they’re considered magical. (if the company is successful) or limiting from which they will collect validated Although the beta version is a fully losses (if it is not successful). This can be done learning to develop the full product. Valuation functioning demo, it is still a demo, AKA not through an IPO, mergers, private offerings, A business valuation is the process of ready for market just yet. Beta usually goes cash cows or venture capitalists. Pivot determining the economic value of a through more quality assurance processes. Pivoting refers to when an entrepreneur company. Friends & Family Round needs to re-evaluate their first (or second, or Bootstrapping When a founder’s #1 fans tap into their piggy third) business model and shift to a different Venture Investor Bootstrapping refers to starting a company banks. This is when your grandma who has business plan, changing the direction of the Venture investors are highly-esteemed without external (i.e. monetary) support. been worrying about whether or not you’ve company to meet market needs. individuals and private equity firms that been getting enough sleep and your best provide capital for emerging companies friend who supported you at your first pitch who have high growth potential. competition puts their money where their mouths are. 47 48

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)RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQDERXWRXUOHJDOVHUYLFHVDQGGLVFRXQWHG¿[HGIHH SDFNDJHVFRQWDFWGail Podolsky atJSRGROVN\#FDUOWRQ¿HOGVFRP 'HIHQGDJDLQVW or 404.815.2714 F\EHUVHFXULW\ WKUHDWVDQGUHVSRQG visit the website: LIEUHDFKHGZLWK F\EHUFDUOWRQ¿HOGVFRP CyberAPP. 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 also for me the lightbulb went off — I said to myself, wow now I see why my career path has been so varied and has incorporated so many different aspects, because this will enable me to better support entrepreneurs. I have the educational piece. I know how to work in a corporation. I know what it is to be an entrepreneur. I have a business management training and leadership piece. So I can bring all of those elements together to help entrepreneurs become more successful.

What does The Farm bring that Atlanta doesn’t already have? The thing that we bring is a philosophy that, it’s really about the entrepreneur. This is a different model in that it’s focused on enabling the entrepreneur to be successful. So though there are other models that may be successful for other reasons, they don’t necessarily focus on the entrepreneur — that’s the hero of our story. Whatever we do we keep in mind: is this in the best interest of the entrepreneur? Part of that is we look at the entrepreneur as a whole; not only do we enable and provide the business tools that are necessary to succeed, we also grapple and deal with the challenges of being an entrepreneur — maybe the loneliness, maybe the stress of it, maybe the fact that you’re by yourself or that you’re away from your family. Those issues also play a big role in your success and how you handle things.

What is the accelerator looking for? Certainly because of the relationship with Comcast, we are interested in those startups where there is an intersection between media and connectivity. But with that said, we’re also interested in all types of technology. We’re really interested in innovation, so it can be Fintech or health tech. What I would say to the entrepreneurs is, check us out, learn what we do, learn how we do it. See if we’re a fit for you.

THANK YOU WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU

Team Sponsors Charlton Cunningham Executive Director

Board of Directors Adam Harrell Founder, Nebo Agency Bernice Dixon Founder & CEO, LaunchPad2X Carie Davis Partner, Your Ideas Are Terrible Bruce Berger Director, Clark Atlanta University Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurial Development Brad Stevens CEO, Entreholic Bronwyn Morgan CEO at Subkulture Innovation Chris Maxwell Partner, Morris Manning & Martin, LLP David Brinkman President & CEO, AssureSign Gail Podolsky Attorney at Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, PA Michael Maziar Investor Relations Manager, ATDC & Engage Ventures Noelle London Manager of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Invest Atlanta Sig Mosley Managing Partner at Mosley Ventures Vickie Thomas President, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Metro Atlanta Chamber

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