Invest Atlanta Launches Start Up Atlanta

August 15,2012

Mayor Kasim Reed and Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta’s economic development agency, announced today the launch of a new program called Start Up Atlanta to help the local startup community engage, interact and create new businesses and jobs. Start Up Atlanta is one of Invest Atlanta’s initiatives to make the city nationally and internationally recognized for entrepreneurship.

“This is a really exciting initiative,” said U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director David J. Kappos. “If our country is going to maintain its competitive edge in the global economy, we’re going to need more efforts like Start Up Atlanta to help unleash the full innovative and entrepreneurial potential of our nation’s great cities.”

Start Up Atlanta’s goal is to introduce, connect, support and expand the entrepreneurial, investment and talent ecosystem within all industries of Atlanta, and the surrounding region. The program includes a web-based platform that visually maps out valuable resources such as incubators, accelerators and service providers, and connections to create and support a network for entrepreneurs to succeed in launching a startup or building a business in Atlanta.

“Atlanta's entrepreneurial spirit has always been strong and with the launch of Start Up Atlanta, companies will have a direct link to some of the most valuable resources needed when starting a business,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “This initiative not only will pair entrepreneurs with a vast array of talent and potential funding, but also will help create jobs and grow Atlanta’s economy."

By supporting collaboration and innovation, Start Up Atlanta provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to assess their startup ideas. Local tech and startup leaders, as well as Atlanta’s Fortune 500 companies, can participate by providing feedback in the areas of business and market strategy, fundraising, team development and more. Start Up Atlanta will also leverage resources to expand financing options for startups by connecting entrepreneurs with business advisors, investors and customers in the market.

“Start Up Atlanta will help interconnect Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and provide an opportunity to build partnerships and access local resources, as well as help raise Atlanta’s profile as a place where entrepreneurs from around the world can succeed,” said Brian P. McGowan, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta.

Invest Atlanta has partnered with organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to supporting the creation of jobs in their communities. Partner organizations include economic development agencies, entrepreneurial organizations, and state and local government entities.

During the event, Invest Atlanta, in partnership with the Tech Association of Georgia (TAG), will announce a video competition where participants will have the opportunity to tell why their company will change the world and what they like most about being in Atlanta. Five companies will be selected to present their video at the 2nd annual Venture Atlanta, Georgia’s largest investor showcase, conference in October. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000 in cash and a year subscription to iMeet from PGi. All participants will receive a free three-month subscription to iMeet, courtesy of PGi.

For more information on Start Up Atlanta, visit www.startupatlanta.com.