Which annual event brings together hundreds of Georgia entrepreneurs, startups and technology leaders, as well as robots and a solar race car? That would be ATDC’s 2012 Startup Showcase, where the local technology community will gather on Monday for one of Atlanta’s premier industry events.
Held at the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, the showcase is open to the public and will include appearances from Georgia State Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) and Georgia Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson. Each year, the event honors Georgia’s brightest entrepreneurs and emerging technologies, putting a spotlight on ATDC’s graduating companies – all of whom have met rigorous growth milestones. In addition, dozens of ATDC’s most promising member companies – representing industries as varied as information security, financial technology, health care IT, mobile technology, clean tech/energy, and medical devices – will exhibit their innovative technologies during the event.
“This year’s ATDC graduates represent the impressive quality and strength of Georgia’s technology startup community,” said Nina Sawczuk, ATDC’s general manager and Georgia Tech’s director of startup services. “They have each achieved significant success in a short timeframe and contribute to Georgia’s growing reputation as a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity and innovation.”
The 2012 ATDC graduates include:
• 3DM Systems (formerly ShapeStart Measurement Systems) offers an in-ear 3D scanner for the digital design of custom hearing aids and earmolds.
• Asankya(acquired by EMC Corporation) is a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service.
• Axion Biosystems developed the first multi-well microelectrode array (MEA) system to provide unprecedented throughput for cellular electrophysiology experiments.
• BioAutomaton Systems Inc. (BSI) designs and manufactures patented automation systems for cost-effective propagation of transgenic tree seedlings.
• Celtaxsys is focused on the discovery and development of therapeutics to treat inflammation by controlling innate immunity. The company has phase I clinical trials planned for its lead compound, CTX 4430.
• Digital Assent provides award-winning PatientPad® technology that delivers personalized health information and advertising to consumers in doctors’ waiting rooms.
• Preparisprovides organizations with a new way to protect their people, operations, brands and shareholder value from 21st century threats.
• SimpleC utilizes proven technologies to help seniors of all cognitive abilities engage with those around them and cope with changes in their lives.
Interested in attending? The Showcase runs from 2 to 5 pm, followed by a cash bar after-party from 5 to 6 pm. Although regular registration has closed, walk-ins are welcomed and tickets cost $20 at the door. For more information, visit www.atdcstartupshowcase.com.
Each year, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invests more than $700 million into small businesses performing biomedical and biohavioral R&D to advance products to the commercial marketplace. On May 30 – June 1, at the Louisville Marriott Downtown, hundreds of health and science managers, small business executives, university researchers and entrepreneurs will gather for the 14th Annual NIH SBIR/STTR Conferencein Louisville, KY. This year’s conference, “Changing the Face of SBIR/STTR,” will cover the “ins and outs” of the NIH SBIR/STTR programs provided by NIH staff, and include opportunities to meet one-one with NIH Program Managers. Attendees will also be informed of any program changes due to the 2012 Reauthorization Act, including policy updates and modifications to the gap funding and commercialization assistance programs.
A public scientific poster session will be held during the conference, featuring approximately 80 abstracts selected by the NIH to represent both SBIR and STTR Phase II awards. These poster sessions highlight the successes of SBIR/STTR funding and provide an opportunity to build strategic alliances and foster conversations that could lead to future partnerships. Abstract submissions are being accepted until April 20 for these poster sessions.
Registration is now open for the annual conference and costs $350 to attend. After April 30th, the price increases to $450. For an additional fee, participants are invited to stay on for a unique third day opportunity to hear from NSF and DoD staff, speaking on their respective SBIR/STTR programs and to participate in an optional intensive workshop focused on Phase I or Phase II proposal development or the valuation of intellectual property.
Do not miss the opportunity to learn the value of SBIR/STTR funding for your R&D operation. Register now.
This Friday, a contingent of Atlanta technology industry representatives will head to New York’s Times Square to promote the city’s emerging tech industry cluster – and perhaps flaunt their bell ringing skills. The group – which includes ATDC members – was invited to join Invest Atlanta President & CEO Brian McGowan as he rings the opening bell for NASDAQ.
“Atlanta is home to some of the country’s leading tech companies, but it is also a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity,” said McGowan. “The city offers an ecosystem that supports young and creative tech companies to emerge as the next generation leaders…We want to set the pace for the country, for this sector.”
Atlanta is currently ranked third in the country for cities with the most Fortune 500 headquarters, ranked first in innovation in Zipcar’s Future Metropolis Index and is the home of technology leaders including First Data Corp., AT&T Mobility, CNN and Dell SecureWorks. In addition, a Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity report released last year shows that Georgia led the nation in new business startups in 2010, while Atlanta tied for the second-most among the 15 biggest metro areas.
Community Catalyst Jen Bonnett will be among those in attendance tomorrow, representing both ATDC and StartupChicks. She said the spotlight on Atlanta is proof of the city’s growth into becoming one of the nation’s hotbeds of technology and innovation.
Other past and present ATDC members in attendance will include representatives from Blinq Media, Emcien, Digital Assent, Oversight Systems, Pardot, Preparis, ScanTech Holdings, Suniva, Synergy America Inc., Team Fenom, The Weekend Collection, Urjanet and Vitrue.
The bell ceremony will air on www.nasdaq.com, so fire up your computer before 9:15 a.m. EST to watch it live.
When it comes to pitching business before an audience of peers, investors and judges, ATDC members proved they can compete with the best of them yesterday.
Member companies took three of the top five spots at Startup Riot 2012 and made up nearly half of the exclusive participant list, proving ATDC’s reputation as the hub for technology entrepreneurship in Georgia. The all-day event featured presentations by 30 of the region’s premier startups. Entrepreneurs spent three minutes pitching their businesses, then took three minutes of questioning from a four-judge panel. Audience members were able to help pick the winners.
ATDC’s own viaCycle took the top prize, which includes 4.5 hours of meetings with the region’s top angel investors, a $25,000 cash investment, nearly $50,000 in services and a chance to win a $100,000 cash grant. Kyle Azevedo, viaCycle CEO, said participating in Startup Riot provides great value to any early-stage company.
“The atmosphere and strict presentation rules force you to hone a razor sharp pitch, and the audience is a diverse cross-section of investors, unique companies and really smart people,” he said. “The connections we made during the event will serve viaCycle long into the future. Plus, we simply had a great time and got to be inspired by amazing ideas.”
Member SalesLoft earned second place, winning four hours of investment meetings and almost $24,000 in services for their successful pitch.
“I’ve been to a lot of startup events but never anything like Startup Riot,” said Kyle Porter, founder of SalesLoft. “The energy, community support and quality of attendees exceeded our expectations. We’re honored to receive our award and are confident that we’ll benefit many times over from participating in this event!”
Rounding out the top five finishers were Body Boss Fitness, ATDC member CubeVibe and Driverly.
With more than 25 years of experience specializing in high dollar sales in the computer industry, Bill Kunz knows a thing or two about the sales process. He will share his insight with young entrepreneurs during ATDC’s next Lunch-N-Learn on Feb. 21.
Topics will include how to identify early adopters and successfully get alpha and beta customers, as well as what methods to use to generate leads and close sales with these customers. The primary subject matter, however, will involve closing the first five sales – which is usually the point when a startup has typically proven successful enough to hire a sales team.
“The first sale is basically finding someone to pay for the product’s beta testing,” said Kunz. “By the third one, you’re starting to get an idea of where the market might be for your product. By the time you get to the fifth sale, you might be in a position to hire a salesperson, rather than handling it yourself. And then the question becomes, what type of salesperson should you hire?”
Now retired and serving as a long-time mentor at ATDC, Kunz had a long and successful sales management career at IBM, Stratus (a small startup), and Cisco Systems selling directly to end users at “Fortune 1000” firms. His experience includes guidance on big ticket, long-cycle sales, hiring and managing sales people and new account sales.
During the upcoming luncheon, he will help participants determine what they can realistically achieve in early sales, as well as discuss how to close the sale once a prospect has been identified. And for those entrepreneurs who have found a potential customer but have been unable to close the deal, Kunz can help.
“If you’re stuck, come see me for one-on-one counseling,” he said. “We can draw up the specific sale and figure out next steps.”
Registration is now open for the event, which runs from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the ATDC Community Room. Bring your questions and be ready for a dynamic discussion!
A leading expert who has helped numerous Fortune 500 companies optimize their business processes, Radhika Subramanian knows a thing or two about entrepreneurial success. Now serving as CEO of Emcien – a 2008 graduate of ATDC – Subramanian will share her tips and insight at Entrepreneur’s Night this evening. Running from 6 to 7:30 pm tonight, the event provides young startups with the chance to hobnob with other industry players and hear success stories from a distinguished ATDC entrepreneur.
“I’ll discuss the entrepreneur’s journey, as well as lean startups and pivots,” said Subramanian. “A pivot is a way to change the business based on how the market/customers are responding. This is critical to convert a startup to a successful business.”
Founded in 2002, Emcien provides pattern-based analytics applications designed to solve specific business problems. Emcien’s innovation originated when Dr. Roy Marsten, a leading computational optimization expert, solved a tough problem for a leading auto manufacturer while serving as a professor at Georgia Tech in the 1990s. Subramanian said ATDC resources helped aid the company’s eventual success, providing them with crucial connections and mentors.
With nearly 20 years of entrepreneurial experience under her belt, Subramanian has a little more advice for young entrepreneurs.
“A startup is a very difficult task and is not for the light-hearted,” she said. “Pick your team wisely so that you can say, “Mission accomplished!”
Entrepreneur’s Night takes place the third Thursday of every month in ATDC Community Room 235. The networking event is free for ATDC members. Register now to attend.
It’s been a good year for ATDC. From the staff additions of our new Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs) and Community Catalysts to the creation of Flashpoint, there have been some great developments throughout 2011. And the New Year is likely to bring even more growth.
As you might have heard, we will be launching a new membership level starting Jan. 3. “ATDC Select” will include startups that have been screened and selected based on readiness for acceleration and fit with our services and staffing. These companies have identified scalable business models and are ready to take advantage of our more focused, individual support, which includes custom access to EIRs, mentors, graduate companies and sponsors, as well as potential investors and strategic partners. At the same time, we will continue to welcome and support all technology entrepreneurs in Georgia through quality “coaching, connecting and community” programs designed to help them build and launch successful companies.
From Startup Circles in a range of geographic locations to Lunch-N-Learn workshops and a monthly Cowork@ATDC collaborative working session, there will be plenty of opportunities to network with other entrepreneurs and learn from seasoned veterans next year. Want to meet with ATDC staff to discuss your startup? Team members will have office hours available by appointment starting the first week of January. New and prospective members are invited to attend an information session on Jan. 10 to learn more about membership benefits and qualifications.
Of course, we are most proud of the achievements of our member companies and graduates. We salute the hard work of all ATDC entrepreneurs and look forward to providing members with strategic entrepreneurial advice and key business connections in the New Year. ATDC offices will be closed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 2. Happy holidays and see you in 2012!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! To celebrate the holiday season and coming New Year, ATDC, StartupChicks, StartupDrinks and Startup Riot cordially invite you to a festive party bound to fill you with good cheer.
Held on Dec. 14 at the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, the free event is expected to draw hundreds of area entrepreneurs – providing plenty of networking opportunities for young startups.
“Startup success is largely dictated by one thing: luck,” said event co-host Sanjay Parekh, founder of Startup Riot, a day-long conference and career fair event held in multiple cities. “There are a lot of things that can nudge luck in the right direction to negate any bad luck. Working hard and being smart are clearly two of the ways, but getting help is another great way of influencing your luck. By getting out to these types of events, you end up meeting different people that will give you advice and make introductions that will help you succeed.”
Although ATDC hosts a holiday party for members every year, this is the first time they have partnered with other organizations to organize an event for the larger startup community. There will be a cash bar, holiday music and hors d’oeuvres.
Don’t miss out on the chance to eat, drink and be merry while mingling with other startups. Register now for the entrepreneurial party of the season.
For the third consecutive year, top executives, investors, entrepreneurs and academics will converge in Atlanta next week to discuss the rapidly changing media landscape and the trends driving that change.
The gathering is due to FutureMedia Fest 2011, a three-day conference packed with panel discussions, workshops, keynote speeches and research demos all focused on “exploring the media’s disruptive power on people and business.” Organized by the Georgia Tech Institute for People and Technology, the event runs from Nov. 15-17 at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center. This year, a number of ATDC employees and member companies will participate in the discussion.
“It’s wonderful to see that FutureMedia has acknowledged the role of startups and the power they yield in the media space,” said Nina Sawczuk, Director of Startup Services and General Manager of ATDC. “This event is a great networking opportunity for many of our members and provides a global glimpse of some of the trends impacting the media environment.”
Throughout the Fest, startup companies and researchers will present demonstrations of the latest technologies from Georgia Tech students and outside businesses. Among the speakers will be representatives from ESPN, Turner Broadcasting System, Twitter, Mashable, The Coca-Cola Company and Cox Media Group. Panel topics will range from sports entertainment and civic engagement to emergency response, entrepreneurship, advertising, gaming, television, computational journalism and the Georgia film industry.
Sawczuk will join several other industry leaders in a discussion about Entrepreneurship in a Noisy World, while ATDC Entrepreneur-in-Residence Hezi Moore leads a “Birds of a Feather” discussion on content integrity. In addition, current and graduate ATDC member companies including Scoutmob, OpenStudy, PlayON! Sports, Preparis, IdeaString, BLiNQ Media, CodeGuard, CubeVibe, Cooleaf, Digital Assent, Jigsaw Meeting, LiquidTest, Merlin Mobility, Mogley, Proximus Mobility, Regator.com, Social Fortress, Soket, TripLingo, Whisper Communications, Xsporture and Zooz Mobile will all be featured in various aspects of the event.
Last year’s FutureMedia Fest drew more than 750 attendees and was viewed online by thousands of people from nearly 80 different countries. Organizers say this year’s event is expected to be even bigger.
“There is really something for everyone in the digital, social or multimedia industry, whether student age or CEO level,” said Erin Dowdy, a spokesperson for FutureMedia. “The quality of the speakers giving the keynotes and the people on the panels is outstanding. One of the best things about it is the price point. For only $150, you can get inside the minds of these incredible innovative thinkers and businesspeople.”
Venture Atlanta, where Georgia’s top technology companies meet top-tier investors, is seeking companies to present at its 2010 conference taking place on October 12 – 13 at the Georgia Aquarium. More than 20 Georgia companies will be selected to speak. There will also be a trade show-style showcase to highlight 25 additional earlier stage companies. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their companies to more than 100 investors.
Notable companies that used Venture Atlanta as part of their fundraising process in past years include CloudSherpas, ControlScan, PlayOn Sports, Purewire, RentWiki, SoloHealth, Vertical Acuity, and WorthPoint. The video has testimonials from the leaders of a few of these companies.
There is no charge to apply to present or to present your company. Entrepreneurs interested in presenting at Venture Atlanta need to submit a two page executive summary by August 20th.
