{"691525":{"#nid":"691525","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Strengthens Atlanta\u0027s Innovation Ecosystem Through Tech Square Tech Hop and Avant South","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs Atlanta continues to grow as one of the nation\u0027s leading technology and innovation hubs, Georgia Tech is helping to shape that growth through strategic partnerships, entrepreneurial programs, and community-driven experiences that connect innovators across the region.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELast year\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/luma.com\/jq3eys4s\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETech Square Tech Hop\u003C\/a\u003E welcomed more than 940 attendees. This year, the event returns Aug. 14 with even more opportunities to explore the people, ideas, and organizations driving the momentum.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPresented by Avant South during ATL Tech Week, Tech Square Tech Hop transforms Tech Square into a walkable showcase of startups, research, and entrepreneurship, inviting the public to experience firsthand the people, ideas, and technologies shaping Atlanta\u0027s future.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore than an event, Tech Hop reflects Georgia Tech\u0027s broader commitment to strengthening Atlanta\u0027s innovation ecosystem by bringing together founders, researchers, students, corporate partners, investors, and community organizations in one of the country\u0027s most dynamic innovation districts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAttendees can explore live startup demonstrations, interactive exhibits, research showcases, food and beverage experiences from local entrepreneurs, and the organizations moving ideas from the lab to the marketplace.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech continues to work with the City of Atlanta, higher education institutions, industry leaders, startups, and community partners to advance Atlanta\u0027s vision of becoming one of the nation\u0027s premier technology hubs. Through these partnerships, the Institute is creating new pathways for commercialization, startup growth, workforce development, and economic opportunity. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSustaining a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem takes an intentional, holistic approach,\u0022 said Michael \u0022Dixon\u0022 Dixon, senior director of Strategic Initiatives and Operations. \u201cAtlanta has all the right ingredients. Our role is to connect the dots, bring the right people to the table, and help move bold ideas into action. Tech Hop celebrates the people, partnerships, and entrepreneurial spirit that make Atlanta\u0027s innovation ecosystem thrive.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAvant South\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHosted by Georgia Tech, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/avant-south-2026-tickets-1989311616596?aff=oddtdtcreator\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAvant South\u003C\/a\u003E returns Oct. 12 \u2013 13 with a focus on AI in Action, convening leaders across industry, academia, government, and the startup community to explore the technologies shaping the future.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETogether, Tech Square Tech Hop and Avant South create opportunities for entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, industry leaders, and the broader community to connect and experience Atlanta\u0027s innovation ecosystem. While Tech Hop brings that ecosystem to life during ATL Tech Week, Avant South continues the conversation on a larger stage each fall.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe two events reflect Georgia Tech\u0027s commitment to accelerating innovation, fostering collaboration, and strengthening Atlanta\u0027s position as a national destination for entrepreneurship and commercialization. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExperience Atlanta\u0027s Innovation Ecosystem\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin us for Tech Square Tech Hop, presented by Avant South, on Friday, Aug. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Tech Square.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExplore a self-guided route featuring startup demonstrations, research exhibits, innovation organizations, food and beverage experiences, and opportunities to connect with the people building what\u0027s next.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe event is free and open to the public. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/luma.com\/jq3eys4s\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERSVP\u003C\/a\u003E today.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe return of Tech Square Tech Hop and Avant South highlights Georgia Tech\u0027s role in strengthening Atlanta\u0027s innovation ecosystem. The story explores how these initiatives bring together startups, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and the community to advance commercialization, collaboration, and innovation across the region.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Tech Square Tech Hop and Avant South showcase Georgia Tech\u0027s leadership in strengthening Atlanta\u0027s growing innovation ecosystem."}],"uid":"36434","created_gmt":"2026-08-06 22:12:30","changed_gmt":"2026-08-06 22:17:38","author":"lcameron30","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680807":{"id":"680807","type":"image","title":"Tech-Hops-Event_061125-10--1-.jpg","body":null,"created":"1786054357","gmt_created":"2026-08-06 22:12:37","changed":"1786054357","gmt_changed":"2026-08-06 22:12:37","alt":"Tech Hop","file":{"fid":"265129","name":"Tech-Hops-Event_061125-10--1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/06\/Tech-Hops-Event_061125-10--1-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/06\/Tech-Hops-Event_061125-10--1-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":19527820,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/06\/Tech-Hops-Event_061125-10--1-.jpg?itok=YmG_mhs9"}},"680808":{"id":"680808","type":"image","title":"Tech-Hops-Event_061125-29.jpg","body":null,"created":"1786054393","gmt_created":"2026-08-06 22:13:13","changed":"1786054393","gmt_changed":"2026-08-06 22:13:13","alt":"Tech Hop","file":{"fid":"265130","name":"Tech-Hops-Event_061125-29.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/06\/Tech-Hops-Event_061125-29.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/06\/Tech-Hops-Event_061125-29.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":17348590,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/06\/Tech-Hops-Event_061125-29.jpg?itok=KJ0wrzLO"}},"680809":{"id":"680809","type":"image","title":"Tech-Hops-Event_061125-28.jpg","body":null,"created":"1786054425","gmt_created":"2026-08-06 22:13:45","changed":"1786054425","gmt_changed":"2026-08-06 22:13:45","alt":"Tech Hop","file":{"fid":"265131","name":"Tech-Hops-Event_061125-28.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/06\/Tech-Hops-Event_061125-28.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/06\/Tech-Hops-Event_061125-28.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":12637010,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/06\/Tech-Hops-Event_061125-28.jpg?itok=-MybmvAs"}},"680810":{"id":"680810","type":"image","title":"Tech-Hops-Event_061125-30.jpg","body":null,"created":"1786054596","gmt_created":"2026-08-06 22:16:36","changed":"1786054596","gmt_changed":"2026-08-06 22:16:36","alt":"Tech Hop","file":{"fid":"265132","name":"Tech-Hops-Event_061125-30.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/06\/Tech-Hops-Event_061125-30.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/06\/Tech-Hops-Event_061125-30.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":10234339,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/06\/Tech-Hops-Event_061125-30.jpg?itok=K8kqfYZO"}}},"media_ids":["680807","680808","680809","680810"],"groups":[{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"42921","name":"Exhibitions"},{"id":"42891","name":"Georgia Tech Arts"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELacey Cameron\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Elcameron30@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}