2009 is in full swing with a slate of events and competition that any startup entrepreneur in the Southeast should consider.
CapitalLounge
The next rev of the StartupLounge's entrepreneur/investor mixer takes place on February 25. CapitalLounge's primary goals are to provide an environment where early stage entrepreneurs can make connections with other like-minded entrepreneurs and provide the opportunity for early-stage investors to meet and mingle with early-stage entrepreneurs. Bring and expect a lot of energy.
GRA/TAG Business Launch Competition
The kickoff meeting for the GRA/TAG Business Launch competition took place last week. You can read a bit about that and pick up some tips over on PeachSeedz. This is big.
The Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) and the Technology Association of Georgia
(TAG) joined forces to support the creation and growth of new startups
in Georgia via a competition. The contest winner will receive a
$100,000 cash award courtesy of the GRA and a diverse array of services
valued at an additional $200,000. This comprehensive $300,000+ prize is
one of the largest in the country.
Once again the competition is focused on Internet technologies. This includes companies that are developing
products, online services, or backend technologies that are using or
extending the reach, flexibility and ease of the internet; with a
particular interest in companies within the fields of digital
media/technology, cleantech, mobility and information security.
I have the honor of coordinating the effort to pick the semi-finalists. Preliminary applications must be received electronically by February 10. Final entries are due April 7.
Georgia Tech Business Plan Competition
Great business plan competition for entrepreneurs that are students or alumni of Georgia Tech. Real companies have emerged. Lots of learning via workshops. Some cash awarded. Indications of interest were due Friday. I would reach out to Alan Flury pronto to make your case.
TAG Top 40 Innovative Technology Awards
Every year in conjunction with the Georgia Technology Summit,
TAG showcases Georgia’s Top 40 innovative technology companies. The
first slot in the 2009 TAG Top 40 was captured by Simatra, an ATDC member and VentureLab graduate, that won the special Startup
Gauntlet competition in December. TAG is now looking for 39 more
companies to honor on March 3rd.
The competitive selection process
will focus on the companies' products, services and technologies. The
Top 40 companies will participate in a showcase at the Summit, expected
to draw over 1,000 leaders from the state's technology community. Ten
particularly outstanding companies from the Top 40 will also make short
presentations to the Summit attendees, including venture capitalists,
angel investors, potential customers and partners. The application deadline is February 1.
SEVC
TechJournal South is bringing the 2009 Southeast Venture Conference to Atlanta on March 11 and 12. This is a venture capital conference and it caters to that audience. The startup company focus is decidedly later stage. Growth stage. The deadline for presenting companies applications has come and gone. But if you got it going on and are looking for venture captial I suggest you reach out to Eric Gregg or me.
Startup Riot
After its winning inaugural last year Startup Riot is back for more. It takes place on February 18. Price to attend
ranges from free to $50 for this bash featuring 3 minute presentations
from more than 50 early stage companies. Presenting is free and the application is pretty straightforward. Read the rules. Sanjay Parekh may reject you for not following them.