What locales immediately pop into your head when talking about hubs of high tech? Probably Silicon Valley, Boston, and New York. Anything else? Well, yes, as a matter of fact, add Atlanta to the list.
There are dozens of startup incubators and accelerators with new generations of experts being raised in nearby universities – think Georgia Tech, a major league player since 1885. All these factors are advancing Atlanta’s tech ecosystem, no matter what industry you belong to. Crunchbase notes that the strong tech-led community in an area surrounded by numerous feeder hubs is creating exponential growth.
Atlanta startups raised $811 million in the first half of 2019, compared with $932.5 million in the whole year of 2018
Source: Crunchbase
Earlier this year, AltexSoft opened a new office in Atlanta and we’ve already hosted a few meetups in the area as well. In this article, we’ve collected a number of interesting events and places that will help your tech business launch, grow, and accelerate, if you decided to run it in the Atlanta metro area.
Tech hubs in Atlanta
We’ll start with a few locations influential to the Atlanta tech ecosystem. These hubs help young business people study the industry and growing companies gain the needed support. Here’s what they offer.
Atlanta Tech Village
One of the most recognizable tech spots in Atlanta, Atlanta Tech Village contributes mightily to startups, creating a favorable environment for growth. Building a community for entrepreneurs, Atlanta Tech Village has several options to choose from for both small and growing companies.
Programs. Understanding that the startup multiverse isn’t cut from a single template, Atlanta Tech Village sorted its programs into several categories: Pre-Accelerator for diverse startup founders, Startup Summer School providing entrepreneurship classes, and Women + Tech, organizing events for female startup leaders.
Access and Pricing. There are several levels of access to the hub spacing: a Hot Desk provides an unassigned desk for $300/month; a Reserved Desk is in an open area, with a lockable filing cabinet, and mailing address for $425/month; and a furnished office with parking space available starting at $950 for 2+ persons. Also, scholarships are available for some. See more detailed information on the Working Space page.
Events. Atlanta Tech Village has its own calendar of events, where things are scheduled well in advance. The events include meetups, pitch practices, forums, roundtables, and many more that contribute to the improvement of the healthy and robust Tech Village Community. You can also host an event in a fully furnished space and a breakout room for as low as $250/hour. Stay tuned for live events and participate in meetings from any location.
Advanced Technology Development Center/ATDC (Georgia Tech)
One of the most renowned tech incubators, the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) has been listed among the world-changing accelerators by Forbes, side by side with the Y Сombinator and Palo Alto Research Center. Today, it’s home to young tech minds striving to add something new to the industry.
Programs. ATDC’s Classes and Workshops present a large variety of educational resources for both aspiring and more advanced Atlanta tech entrepreneurs. The Entrepreneurs Curriculum for members and portfolio companies offers classes on customer discovery, financial literacy, and investor readiness. There are also classes like HR 101 or Sales 101 that techies will surely find helpful.
Industry programs are for technology-based startups across diverse industry branches with innovations. The programs fall into four categories: FinTech (a collaboration between a nonprofit, university-based accelerator and leading financial service businesses); Advanced Manufacturing (for tech startups producing material products); RetailTech (for retail entrepreneurs in partnership with the Retail Industry Leaders Association and Digital Building Laboratory); HealthTech (for healthcare technology startups, in collaboration with Navicent Health/Atrium Health and Morehouse School of Medicine).
Access and pricing. Access to the ATDC’s resources is only available via participation in programs. It helps boost startups giving them a set of instruments to succeed. There’s the ATDC Accelerate program for young companies with MVPs and an ATDC Signature – for companies that include transformational activities. Enrollment in the program is highly competitive and is accessed only by application or invitation. The Portfolio page has more information.
Events. The ATDC has a scheduled events calendar as well. The Center hosts events for community participants at all stages, from concept-stage initiatives to pivoting companies. These include roundtables, pitch sessions, mentors’ office hours, and other opportunities to help participants boost their businesses.
TechAlpharetta
Tech Alpharetta hosts regular events for tech-focused executives with engineering-related activities. The events cover domains such as big data, cybersecurity, blockchain, and cryptocurrency. Tech Alpharetta is supported by local authority representatives and tech CEOs from major local tech enterprises like Verint, Coyote Logistics, Ware2Go, Edge Solutions, and many more. It also runs the Innovation Center, a tech startup incubator in the Alpharetta business area.
Tech Alpharetta’s Innovation Center. This tech incubator is currently breeding over 50 tech startups. The scope includes companies working with machine learning, fintech, biotech, cybersecurity, smart cities, voice recognition, and healthtech. The Innovation Center usually cooperates with startups through a membership. It gives access to such options as startup education and mentoring, communication with investors, and regular meetups.
Access and Pricing. The Innovation Center has several working space alternatives for startups depending on their needs and scalability. The options are: Startup Office Space (with conference rooms, short-term leases, and an incubator member program), priced from $295 to $2200 per month; Hot Desk Membership (all facilities and incubator program membership) for $125/month and $145 per month with daily conference access; Conference Room and Event Space Rental (without incubator program membership) for $35/hour to $250/day.
Events. The Innovation Center also has its own calendar of scheduled events for startup entrepreneurs, where all participants can share their experiences or offer another viewpoint. The range of events includes networking, mentoring, meetups, and others.
Annual Technology Events in Atlanta
Although startup hubs are offering a ton of events that will keep you busy every day of the week, there are larger conferences welcoming attendees from companies nationwide, offering panel discussions and networking opportunities like no other. Here’s the list of selected events you want to visit soon.
Technology events in Atlanta
Information Security Forum 2019
The event produced by IANS Research is a two-day forum where industry experts present keynotes and engage in panel discussions about handling information security threats, and the opportunities in this sphere. This rather small event will host nine speakers from Respond Software, NETSCOUT, City National Bank, and the IANS Faculty and 30+ roundtable sessions. The forum has a mobile app with presentations available after the event. The event welcomes CISOs, VPs and managing directors of information security, information and security architects and engineers.
Closest date and location: October 30 - 31, 2019, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, GA;
Pricing and access: Access to the event is free to information security experts from both the private and public sectors. However, those belonging to information security solution providers (software, hardware, and consultancy) are not allowed, unless partnering with a sponsoring organization. There are three tiers of sponsorships and the basic one allows you to give a 35-minute presentation, set up a table, include your company’s logo on the forum website, and more. Pricing is available on request. Read the forum agenda and find more info here.
RetailTech and Innovation Symposium 2019
The event will address the retail industry’s transformation by technology disruption and will give answers on how to adjust evolving consumer buying behaviors. With speakers, panel sessions, and company showcases, the conference participants will get a deeper dive into the adoption of drones, robotics, intelligent machines, and AI in retail. The event will also cover supply chain transformation and omni-channel logistics in retail.
This year, the conference will be hosting Fast Pitch Competition, where attendees can present their ideas on the platform. Retail technology experts, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry C-level executives are expected to be among the participants.
Closest date and location: October 31, 2019, The Garage at Tech Square 848 Spring Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA.
Pricing and access: Attendance is free and available after registration. Sponsorship is also available. For information, contact the conference team.
Connected Fleets USA 2019
For several years running, this event has welcomed attendees from the connected fleets industry. The conference will address all things fleet management: electrification, fleet security and insurance, connected drivers, autonomous fleets, and telematics data. It is expected that the 2019 conference will have over 200 industry representatives, including fleet managers, fleet insurers, automakers, tech and technology consulting services providers, and hardware manufacturers in attendance. The event will host experts from Nationwide, Volvo, BP, FedEx, NAFA Fleet Management Association, Penske Truck Leasing, and Atlantic Logistics.
Closest date and location: November 12-13, Westin Buckhead Atlanta, Atlanta, GA.
Pricing and Access: The price varies depending on the participant’s industry. Government, fleet managers, automakers, and the press can enter free of charge. A Standard Pass costs $1,995, while a Startup Pass is $500. All information on access, pricing, and booking is available here. There are also Sponsorship and Exhibitors options that allow you to showcase your technology and expertise to the fleet community. Complete information on benefits and conditions is available upon request.
MODEX 2020
The event will introduce manufacturing and supply chain solutions along with educational workshops on the industry’s hot topics. MODEX 2020 will cover a broader spectrum of transportation, logistics, supply management, and fulfillment. However, it will mostly encompass automation processes and the application of Robotic Process Automation and AI in logistics. MODEX 2020 invites supply chain and transportation entrepreneurs, C-level executives, and higher-level managers, supply chain, logistics, and transportation software providers. Conference management expects attendees and speakers from over 140 countries.
Closest date and location: March 9-12, 2020, Atlanta's Georgia World Congress Center
Pricing and access: While attendance is free, registration is required. However, there are two additional options. Entrepreneurs and companies can become sponsors or exhibitors to outreach their prospect customers even more.
Southern Data Science Conference 2020
The event for data scientists and related entrepreneurs plans to introduce newly-emerging technologies and best practices in data science, machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence. Deep learning basics, the application of data analytics, and data science with different frameworks and tools will be discussed. Data enthusiasts of all stripes are encouraged to attend. The conference is expecting to host over 500 attendees, including speakers from top companies like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and leading research institutes like the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Georgia Tech, UGA, GSU, KSU, Emory, and more.
Closest date and location: April 16-17, 2020, Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta, GA
Pricing and access: For now, the early-bird tickets are only available till December 31. The pricing varies depending on the attendance options you choose, from $200 for students only to $550 for the Conference + a Deep Learning Workshop. The full price list is available at the registration form.
FinTech South 2020
FinTech South 2020 is organized by the accelerator Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). The event is preparing to host over 1500 attendees, with about 600 companies from diverse industries and over 100 speakers. During sessions, attendees will get a clear vision of FinTech customers, their behavior and their data, transaction technologies in retail, money management, and talent acquisition for the FinTech corporate culture. C-level executives, FinTech entrepreneurs, retail business owners, and supply chain managers are welcome to attend. The event also encourages startups and newly established companies to participate as exhibitors.
Closest date and location: April 20-21, 2020, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Pricing and Access: Though early registration is already closed, there are still several options to choose from. If you’re TAG Member, the cost is $350. For Non-TAG Members, the option is available for $395. The price will go up during the month of the event. The event also offers an Exposition option, allowing a company to book a booth in Innovation Alley. Above that, FinTech South has a Sponsorship opportunity, giving access to a list of benefits and resources.
Freight Wave LIVE 2020
This event, previously known as Transparency Waves, will cover the latest trends and factors reshaping the freight industry and logistics market. Also, the event is going to reveal new technologies and strategies to make digitalization of the freight and logistics industry safer, faster, and more efficient. The expected number of participants and speakers is over 1000, comprised of C-level supply chain and business executives, venture capitalists, industry analysts, developers, and entrepreneurs from across the transportation and supply chain.
Closest date and location: May 5-6, 2020, Atlanta, GA, GICC
Pricing and Access: At the moment, early bird tickets are already available for $995, with sales ending on December 31, 2019. There are also packaged options available, starting from two tickets at $895 for each one, and ending with 15 tickets priced at $695 for each. The full price list is available here. The event also offers a Demonstration option, which allows you to showcase your technology on a big screen for 7 minutes or less. The option is provided via application. Besides, there’s an option for becoming a sponsor. All details can be requested by direct contact.
Global Tech Mining Conference 2020
This annual event aims to improve and promote the use of textual information in multiple sciences, technology, and business development. The past conference, for instance, was focused on highlighting key drivers and bottlenecks in data management, text-mining tools and methods, and applied research. The event was visited by analysts from cross-disciplinary networks, software specialists, researchers, policymakers, and data managers.
Closest date and location: TBD
Pricing and Access: The event usually has two forms of participation: as a student and as a regular attendee belonging to research and data industries. The attendance is available upon registration. There’s also the sponsorship option. The necessary information can be had by direct contact.
Data Science Atlanta Conference 2020
The DSATL Conference tends to benchmark a large diversity of advanced data science applications, technologies, and algorithms across industry and technical systems. The conference usually welcomes experts from data analytics, data science, machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence, giving them an opportunity to get insight on the latest technology patterns and share their experience.
Closest date and location: TBD
Price and Access: The ticket prices vary from $150 to $3500. The conference also has a Sponsorship option, costing from $1,500 to $8,500.
Atlanta CDO Inner Collaborative Forum 2020
The annual event offers a roundtable format for small group collaboration rather than workshops and panels. So, the topics usually discussed are methods and means to collaborate and be helpful to each other. The targets here tend to be chief data officers and senior analytics executives.
Closest date and location: TBD
Pricing and access: This annual event is by invitation only. All conditions for participation will be addressed in a letter after filing the qualification form.
Data Center Solution Annual Summit 2020
This annual event tracks activity in the development of the data center industry. Discussions are usually held by experts from the IT and real estate communities and CBRE’s Data Center. Throughout the summit, experts get highlights on trends in the data center industry, blockchain and quantum computing, network and cloud technology, and, perhaps arguably more important, how to apply them in the fast-changing data center solutions market. The Summit usually focuses on data center owners, occupiers, and those willing to invest.
Closest date and location: TBD
Price and access: Access to the event is usually available upon registration. At the moment, there’s no information on ticket price.
CAPRE’s Annual Greater Atlanta Data Center and Cloud Infrastructure Summit 2020
This annual tech event in Atlanta unites C-level executives from leading data engineering and technology infrastructure organizations to discuss the current condition of industries and hold useful networking opportunities. Data engineers, data scientists, ETL developers, data center engineers, data center owners, and CDOs get a vision of the Atlanta data center market, the general situation of the industry, and many more.
Closest date and location: TBD
Price and Access: For the next year, information on tickets, price, and participation conditions are not yet available, so stay tuned for details. Sponsorship participation is also available, with details by direct contact.
To Round Up
Let’s admit it. For the last several years, Atlanta has become a safe haven for both emerging and sustainable tech companies. As one of the biggest transportation hubs, Atlanta breeds enterprises dealing with logistics other industries.
We hope that the information on annual events and some of Atlanta’s techno hubs will inspire you to network and attend a few workshops next year. Let us know if you settled on an event from our list.
