{"682185":{"#nid":"682185","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Tech Visionary Chris Klaus Empowers Georgia Tech Grads to Launch Startups ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EIn a bold move to ignite Atlanta\u0027s entrepreneurial spirit, renowned tech entrepreneur and Georgia Tech alumnus Christopher W. Klaus announced during his Georgia Tech Commencement address on Friday, May 2 that he will personally cover the incorporation costs for any graduating student aspiring to launch a startup.\u200b\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0022This is about more than just covering fees \u2014 it\u2019s about lighting a spark,\u201d said Klaus. \u201cEvery founder needs someone to believe in them early. Through this gift, we\u2019re offering that belief and giving graduates the chance to start building with purpose and confidence.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EKlaus is a driving force in Atlanta\u2019s tech and startup community. While still a student at Georgia Tech, he founded Internet Security Systems, which went public and was later acquired by IBM for nearly $2 billion. Today, he leads Fusen, a startup accelerator that connects students with founders, mentors, investors, and early-stage funding to launch new ventures. In 2000, Klaus donated $15 million to help create Georgia Tech\u2019s Christopher W. Klaus Advanced Computing Building, an innovation hub at the Institute. He also co-founded CREATE-X, Tech\u2019s flagship entrepreneurship program, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024 and has launched over 500 student startups.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u201cWe invited Chris Klaus to speak at Commencement because he embodies the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that has defined Georgia Tech for 140 years,\u201d said President \u00c1ngel Cabrera, who will also bestow an honorary Ph.D. on Klaus during the ceremony. \u201cThrough his groundbreaking work, his message, and now his generous gift to this semester\u2019s graduates, Chris continues to inspire a new generation to lead with imagination and creativity.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EKlaus\u0027 commitment complements Atlanta\u0027s broader efforts to foster a robust tech ecosystem and aligns with Mayor Andre Dickens\u0027 ambitious goal of positioning Atlanta as a top five U.S. tech hub. Achieving this status necessitates the creation of approximately 2,000 startups annually by 2027 to attract significant venture capital, generate employment, and solidify the city\u0027s standing as a premier innovation center.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0022Chris Klaus\u0027 generosity and vision will help further Atlanta\u0027s position as one of the country\u2019s leading tech hubs,\u0022 said Mayor Dickens. \u0022His support for emerging entrepreneurs exemplifies our city\u2019s group project and what is needed to equip the next generation of job creators for success.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EChristopher W. Klaus, a renowned tech entrepreneur and Georgia Tech alumnus, announced during his Commencement address that he will personally cover the incorporation costs for any graduating student aspiring to launch a startup, aiming to ignite Atlanta\u0027s entrepreneurial spirit. His commitment complements Atlanta\u0027s broader efforts to foster a robust tech ecosystem and aligns with Mayor Andre Dickens\u0027 goal of positioning Atlanta as a top five U.S. tech hub.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Christopher W. Klaus, a renowned tech entrepreneur and Georgia Tech alumnus, announced during his Commencement address that he will personally cover the incorporation costs for any graduating student aspiring to launch a startup."}],"uid":"35797","created_gmt":"2025-05-02 13:31:12","changed_gmt":"2025-05-05 12:44:02","author":"Siobhan Rodriguez","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-05-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-05-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677021":{"id":"677021","type":"image","title":"25-R10510-P2-008--1-.jpg","body":null,"created":"1746197160","gmt_created":"2025-05-02 14:46:00","changed":"1746197160","gmt_changed":"2025-05-02 14:46:00","alt":"Image of Chris Klaus at the 20205 Commencement Ceremony","file":{"fid":"260881","name":"25-R10510-P2-008--1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/02\/25-R10510-P2-008--1-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/02\/25-R10510-P2-008--1-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4107892,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/05\/02\/25-R10510-P2-008--1-.jpg?itok=BMlW30S0"}},"677022":{"id":"677022","type":"image","title":"25-R10510-P2-006.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIn a bold move to ignite Atlanta\u0027s entrepreneurial spirit, renowned tech entrepreneur and Georgia Tech alumnus Christopher W. Klaus announced during his Georgia Tech Commencement address on Friday, May 2 that he will personally cover the incorporation costs for any graduating student aspiring to launch a startup.\u200b\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1746197202","gmt_created":"2025-05-02 14:46:42","changed":"1746197202","gmt_changed":"2025-05-02 14:46:42","alt":"Image of Chris Klaus at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony","file":{"fid":"260882","name":"25-R10510-P2-006.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/02\/25-R10510-P2-006.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/02\/25-R10510-P2-006.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4189605,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/05\/02\/25-R10510-P2-006.jpg?itok=PIOAeUbd"}},"677023":{"id":"677023","type":"image","title":"25-R10510-P2-012.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;This Spring 2025 commencement saw 6,600 graduates, including 3,115 bachelor\u2019s degrees, 3,300 master\u2019s degrees and 225 doctoral degrees. Klau\u0027s gift extends to all graduating this weekend.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1746197294","gmt_created":"2025-05-02 14:48:14","changed":"1746197519","gmt_changed":"2025-05-02 14:51:59","alt":"Image of students at the 2025 Commencement ceremony ","file":{"fid":"260883","name":"25-R10510-P2-012.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/02\/25-R10510-P2-012.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/02\/25-R10510-P2-012.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4258980,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/05\/02\/25-R10510-P2-012.jpg?itok=U8cJuvMe"}}},"media_ids":["677021","677022","677023"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194494","name":"Christopher W. 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