{"682617":{"#nid":"682617","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Is Advancing Atlanta\u2019s Tech Ecosystem","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAtlanta\u2019s tech scene is buzzing, and Georgia Tech\u2019s Office of Commercialization is at the center of the action. In the heart of Tech Square, we\u2019re joining the citywide journey of innovation and connection by curating events for Atlanta Tech Week powered by Render. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lu.ma\/yxkiso65\u0022\u003ETech Square Tech Hop\u003C\/a\u003E, happening Wednesday, June 11, from 3 to 5 p.m., will showcase the city\u2019s dynamic startup landscape, bringing together founders, funders, builders, and believers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETech Square Tech Hop is a demonstration of Georgia Tech\u2019s pivotal role in\u0026nbsp;coordinated work advancing Atlanta\u2019s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event aligns directly with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/strategicplan.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute\u2019s strategic plan\u003C\/a\u003E, particularly Big Bet 4, which focuses on developing a vibrant business and entrepreneurial hub anchored in the heart of campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy transforming Tech Square into a walkable innovation showcase, Tech Hop brings visibility to the often-unseen relationships and resources that drive the entrepreneurial spirit. This includes collective efforts with the Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator under EI\u00b2, which spotlights the growth of food and beverage startups across Atlanta, as well as collaborations with Tech Square Ventures, Engage, ATDC, CREATE-X, and Quadrant-i to elevate the visibility of startup ventures born from Tech Square programs and highlight the support ecosystem available to founders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Office of Commercialization is fully mobilized not only to support Georgia Tech faculty, staff, and students but also to substantially grow entrepreneurship programs through powerful partnerships. \u201cOur commitment to building a national hub for innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship is stronger than ever. Through collaborations with the city, state, and other organizations, we are dedicated to making Atlanta a leading example of inclusive progress,\u201d says Raghupathy \u0022Siva\u0022 Sivakumar, vice president of Commercialization and chief commercialization officer for Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute\u2019s leadership extends beyond \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.atl.tech\/\u0022\u003EAtlanta Tech Week\u003C\/a\u003E. Central to this work is our partnership with the City of Atlanta, where Mayor Andre Dickens is advancing a bold vision to establish Atlanta as a top-five U.S. tech hub. In support of this goal, the city launched two signature initiatives in 2023 that unite Atlanta\u2019s Office of Technology and Innovation with leading academic institutions, including Georgia Tech, Clark Atlanta University, Emory University, Georgia State University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne flagship initiative is the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.atltechhub.com\/initiatives\/aces\u0022\u003EAtlanta Collegiate Entrepreneurship Syndicate (ACES)\u003C\/a\u003E, a cross-institutional alliance designed to strengthen Atlanta\u2019s entrepreneurial ecosystem by leveraging shared talent, resources, and ideas. ACES stands as a model of unified effort within Georgia\u2019s collegiate system, laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth and development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSustaining a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem requires an intentional approach,\u201d says Michael \u201cDixon\u201d Dixon, senior director of Strategic Initiatives and Operations. \u201cAtlanta possesses tremendous assets \u2014 local talent, capital, and market opportunity \u2014 but true success hinges on our ability to strategically connect and leverage these strengths, with Georgia Tech serving as both convener and executor. This synergy is already yielding meaningful results.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe second signature initiative underscores Georgia Tech\u2019s strategic role as the host institution of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/avantsouth.com\/\u0022\u003EAvant South\u003C\/a\u003E, a conference that gives our faculty, students, and alumni a front-row seat to Atlanta\u2019s evolving innovation ecosystem. By championing this effort, we elevate homegrown talent and technologies while opening new pathways for high-impact collaboration, startup visibility, and industry engagement. Last year\u2019s conference spotlighted four sectors: media and entertainment, sports, digital arts, and entrepreneurship, exploring their future through the lens of emerging technologies. This year, Avant South returns Oct. 16 \u2013 17 with a focus on transportation, complemented by key themes in fintech, energy, smart cities, and logistics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAvant South shows where Atlanta\u2019s innovation ecosystem is headed; Tech Square Tech Hop reveals where it\u2019s already flourishing. Happening during Atlanta Tech Week (June 8 \u2013 13), Tech Hop is a vibrant gathering of startups, innovation programs, and local food and beverage vendors, and a prime opportunity to meet the people driving Atlanta\u2019s entrepreneurial energy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Tech Square Tech Hop is free and open to the public. To join the event, register \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lu.ma\/yxkiso65\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca\u003E.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commercialization.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOffice of Commercialization\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E is a cornerstone in turning the Institute\u2019s leading-edge research into real-world applications and championing student entrepreneurial pursuits. It comprises four key units: CREATE-X, VentureLab, Quadrant-i, and Technology Licensing. These units empower students and faculty to launch startups, manage intellectual property, and transform research ideas into positive societal impact. Our mission is to accelerate innovation and improve the human condition, solidifying Georgia Tech\u2019s leadership in technology and entrepreneurship.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThis summer\u2019s Tech Square Tech Hop highlights how the Institute is activating partnerships, talent, and technology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"This summer\u2019s Tech Square Tech Hop highlights how the Institute is activating partnerships, talent, and technology. "}],"uid":"36434","created_gmt":"2025-06-03 21:42:10","changed_gmt":"2025-06-03 20:49:21","author":"lcameron30","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-03T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-03T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677173":{"id":"677173","type":"image","title":"Avant South 2024","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAttendees at Avant South 2024\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1748974271","gmt_created":"2025-06-03 18:11:11","changed":"1748974271","gmt_changed":"2025-06-03 18:11:11","alt":"Avant South 2024","file":{"fid":"261044","name":"24-R10400-P16-001.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/03\/24-R10400-P16-001.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/03\/24-R10400-P16-001.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1436561,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/03\/24-R10400-P16-001.jpg?itok=7CnXZhwt"}}},"media_ids":["677173"],"groups":[{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:lacey.cameron@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ELacey Cameron\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EOffice of Commercialization\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}