About 500 entrepreneurs, executives, and venture capitalists gathered last week for the first Venture Atlanta conference.  This event came about when the Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Atlanta CEO Council, and the Technology Association of
Georgia collaborated to develop something bigger and better than the ION Venture Forum. And bigger and better it was.

I don’t go to many venture conferences.  After all they are targeted toward venture capitalists.  So it is difficult for me to compare Venture Atlanta to other such events.  I do know that compared to when I presented at ION back in 2003, this event was huge.  Over 100 VCs attended Venture Atlanta.  Thirty four companies presented (Including 14 at the ATDC/VentureLab "Let’s Make a Deal" early stage company showcase).  More important than the quantity was the quality of the companies.  Many that presented were strong and established companies poised for growth.  Many of them will close rounds within the next nine months. 

A few examples.  Multicast with revenues of $16 milllion.  GMT with revenues of $11 million.  O4 with revenues of $9.9 million. Vocalocity with revenues of $7 million.  TerraGo with revenues of $4.5 million.  ControlScan that requested their revenues not be disclosed in this forum. WorthPoint with revenues of $1.3 million.   Earlier stage companies Moneta, Purewire, SnapFinger, and SoloHealth.  All actively seeking expansion capital. 

One investor summed up the event as "spectacular".  And outside of the snarkiness that took place on twitter about the presentation decks and some folks wishing Bernie Marcus did not introduce some politics to the event, every single VC that I spoke to said the event was outstanding.

And it was.