Connections to the broader technology community part of the success puzzle
By Allan Maurer
Atlanta’s technology community has weaknesses, early-stage startup funding probably the most apparent. But over the last few years we have seen a growing network of support organizations, events, and people helping make the Atlanta entrepreneurial community more vibrant and successful.
One of the groups helping Atlanta entrepreneurs grab some visibility is Startup Council.
Startup Council “alum” Toomah went on to become “Georgia’s most promising new tech company”
1. What is Startup Council’s purpose and how well is it fulfilling that purpose?
Startup Council, a Trevelino/Keller concept, was implemented to provide entrepreneurs a support system for startups throughout the southeast. The Council holds quarterly roundtable events where entrepreneurs meet in a roundtable format with a variety of business experts for advice and insight on the company’s business development, funding, marketing, public relations, legal, accounting, outsourcing and branding. Since inception in 2006 we have hosted nearly 50 companies across a number of different industries. A number have gone on to become successful businesses. For example, Toomah, a company we met with spring of 2010 that offers software that provides automated interviewing tools that significantly reduce hiring costs, was awarded Georgia’s most promising new technology company during the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) and Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Business Launch ’10!
TechSpartacus is an online community aimed at promoting regional established and emerging companies.
The fall Start-Up Council roundtable was held on Wednesday, November 3. Companies interested in presenting at the next event that will be scheduled for early 2011 can complete an application, found here and fax it to (404) 214-0729.
2. How important are connections to the broader technology community, mentors and potential funding sources to Atlanta startups?
Having connections to the broader technology community throughout Georgia and the Southeast is a very important part of business success puzzle. The technology community throughout the Southeast is booming with many opportunities to connect with other thought leaders in the space – whether through attending local events like the Southeast Venture Conference or participating in online communities like TechSpartacus or TAGthink – there are countless ways to expand your contacts.
Tagthink is aimed to help area tech players connect
3. What is the most common mistake a startup makes in preparation for events such as Startup Council? What can they do better? What lessons do they most often learn?
Startup Council offers a more relaxed environment for startup companies and entrepreneurs to learn and expand upon their business ideas through conversation with other business experts. One common mistake is a lack of succinct presentation ability. We, as other audiences, need to understand what the company does and its value proposition within 5 minutes. Longer, we lose interest. More often than not, when presenting companies leave our sessions, they walk out with contacts, ideas to sell/tell their story. In extreme cases, companies walk out having to re-think their model.
The Southeast Venture Conference will highlight over 60 emerging companies in Atlanta next March
4. How can a Startup get savvy advice on professional services such as legal, accounting and pr on a severely limited budget? How far can they go on free advice?
Groups like Startup Council and StartUp Atlanta work hard to promote the entrepreneurs they meet with – these are free opportunities that entrepreneurs can take advantage of to get their name out there to the technology community. While both of these groups offer a valuable knowledge base, when it comes to implementation or strategy development that is when the paid relationship should be considered. There are a number of firms in Atlanta and across Georgia that will work with entrepreneurs to help them with what they need and piece together a program that best fits the company strategy.
Startup Atlanta’s vision is to make Atlanta one of the best cities for entrepreneurs in the nation
5. What do you see as Atlanta’s greatest need(s) in developing a stronger, more vibrant tech startup community and how can it be achieved?
We’ve seen the support system for Start-Ups grow during the past few years and sense it will continue to develop. Open communication and collaboration within groups can only help.
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