I got a shock yesterday.
An interview with a "local" tech company turned out to be one with a company 3,000 miles away. Appcelerator CEO Jeff Hainey, a veteran Atlanta entrepreneur, told me straight-out he found himself getting more done in a single Mountain View afternoon than he could do in a month from Buckhead.
For me this was the last straw. I have spent nearly my entire journalism career covering Atlanta technology. The state has long claimed the most active tech-development operation in the nation, with an incubator called the ATDC, an active software trade group, and a host of VCs and angel investors, not to mention the "economic development engine" of Georgia Tech.
When I moved here Atlanta did indeed have a thriving high-tech sector. I launched the tech beat at the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 1982 and remember them well. We had hardware outfits like Hayes and Quadram, software outfits like MSA and Crosstalk, we had satellite companies like Scientific-Atlanta. All gone. PR legend Pam Alexander got her start in Atlanta, operating out of a house a few miles away from me.
There were some successes in the 1990s as well, outfits like Internet Security Systems and Mindspring (later Earthlink), which began life at Georgia Tech. For the most part momentum moved from the lab to the marketing desk, with companies like iXL and Macquarium. Doubleclick started here. I should have screamed louder when they moved less than six months later. Instead I joked that Atlanta was "where the engineer met the salesman at the Airport."
But in this decade, nothing. Silence. The best start-up of the open source era, JBOSS, was actually denied space at the incubator, Hainey told me. They sold out to RedHat in 2005 for $350 million, a great deal and a smart one. Then the operation moved to North Carolina.
What Hainey was telling me, in essence, is that you're a fool now to think that Atlanta is any place at all to launch a tech company. He tried it, he succeeded for a time, but he had to give it up, because he was too far from the action. And the action isn't here.
It has been years since I attended a major tech event in Atlanta. One by one all the major shows — E3, Comdex, CTIA, SuperComm — have moved on, closed, disappeared.
What happened?
In a word Atlanta tech became insular. As the amount of money flowing through Georgia Tech grew, its vision narrowed. You really can't get a space in the ATDC now unless you know someone, unless you're previously "plugged in," and real entrepreneurs don't plug in until after they get rolling.
There are important lessons here, not just for Atlanta but for any area trying to improve its place in the tech development world:
- Don't spend big. Better to give many companies a little help than to give a few a lot.
- Don't fall in love with yourself. In this decade Georgia efforts have become bureaucratic and political. Both are enemies of serious business development.
- Every season is a new battle. You need to roll out four sets of new companies a year, all on the cutting edge. Most will fail. The vast majority will fail. But it's the law of numbers, and the failure funnel, that breeds success.
- Recruit broadly. If you're to have a chance of getting a few good deals, you need to find possibilities throughout the region. And you need to recruit top researchers on a nationwide level.
- Recruit young. Look at the ideas that came out of this year's Siemens competition for high school students. Anti-microbial coatings for medical equipment? One of these kids is worth more to your school than 10 NFL linebackers. Most breakthroughs come to those under 30.
- The playing field changes constantly. Software start-ups are possible, but that's not where to put your effort in 2009. Look to win the War Against Oil, and the war against bacteria.
- Turnover. You should be turning over your internal staff every year or two. Every hire should be looking for an exit strategy. That's the way to stay fresh.
Atlanta and Georgia have been wasting money on their tech development efforts for over a decade, and as a result the city is losing its allure to the Creative Class. That's how cities grow, by attracting the best and brightest. You stop doing that, you die. And it can happen fast.
If Democrats want a political issue on which to fight for Georgia in 2010, one that will attract the business and professional votes they need to win, this is where they should look. Georgia's tech is a scandal, a money-wasting sinkhole. Republicans may just say kill it. Change it instead.
Nice write up Dana. Change is always good.
I do take a bit of issue with your statement that “you really can’t get a space in the ATDC now unless you know someone.”
I am in charge of talking with entrepreneurs that have an interest in joining ATDC and shepherding them through the application process. If anyone has an interest they can reach me at lance@atdc.org.
Nice write up Dana. Change is always good.
I do take a bit of issue with your statement that “you really can’t get a space in the ATDC now unless you know someone.”
I am in charge of talking with entrepreneurs that have an interest in joining ATDC and shepherding them through the application process. If anyone has an interest they can reach me at lance@atdc.org.
Nice write up Dana. Change is always good.
I do take a bit of issue with your statement that “you really can’t get a space in the ATDC now unless you know someone.”
I am in charge of talking with entrepreneurs that have an interest in joining ATDC and shepherding them through the application process. If anyone has an interest they can reach me at lance@atdc.org.
Nice write up Dana. Change is always good.
I do take a bit of issue with your statement that “you really can’t get a space in the ATDC now unless you know someone.”
I am in charge of talking with entrepreneurs that have an interest in joining ATDC and shepherding them through the application process. If anyone has an interest they can reach me at lance@atdc.org.
Dana,
Great write up, although I wish you would have interviewed a more credible source. There is nothing wrong with Atlanta, it is still a great place to live and do business in any indistry including tech. Some people never blame themselves for failure, but look to other things to blame when things don’t go the way they want them to. In today’s connected world, it does not matter where you are, as everyone is connected. Location, Location, Location only matters in real estate, retail and restaurants, not technology companies.
Dana,
Great write up, although I wish you would have interviewed a more credible source. There is nothing wrong with Atlanta, it is still a great place to live and do business in any indistry including tech. Some people never blame themselves for failure, but look to other things to blame when things don’t go the way they want them to. In today’s connected world, it does not matter where you are, as everyone is connected. Location, Location, Location only matters in real estate, retail and restaurants, not technology companies.
Dana,
You are correct about high end technology in Atlanta. It is not what it used to be. However, there are a lot of interesting grass roots technologies happening in Atlanta. At the lowest level look at the large list of meetup.com groups. There are a lot of technology enthusiast collectively trying to solve many problems. On a higher level their have been a number of Barcamp and Starup/Startup Riot camps in Atlanta. Also, TAG is still going strong and is constantly working with top start ups in Atlanta.
Lastly, attacking the ATDC is totally inappropriate. They donate an enormous amount of resources to the Atlanta entrepreneurial community in the form of free meeting venues, free weekend conference venues and provide many other joint opportunities.
John
johnmwillis.com
Dana,
You are correct about high end technology in Atlanta. It is not what it used to be. However, there are a lot of interesting grass roots technologies happening in Atlanta. At the lowest level look at the large list of meetup.com groups. There are a lot of technology enthusiast collectively trying to solve many problems. On a higher level their have been a number of Barcamp and Starup/Startup Riot camps in Atlanta. Also, TAG is still going strong and is constantly working with top start ups in Atlanta.
Lastly, attacking the ATDC is totally inappropriate. They donate an enormous amount of resources to the Atlanta entrepreneurial community in the form of free meeting venues, free weekend conference venues and provide many other joint opportunities.
John
johnmwillis.com
I’ve been saying this for a long time (or so it seems). Atlanta startup funding is too sparse, too connected, too slow, and too “big”. It is good to hear from a 3rd party.
I’ve been saying this for a long time (or so it seems). Atlanta startup funding is too sparse, too connected, too slow, and too “big”. It is good to hear from a 3rd party.
You do have to ‘know someone’ to get into ATDC – customers willing to pay you, or an investor willing to roll you – the space is discounted but its not cheap. But Lance is highly accessible to entrepreneurs and is all over the place in the startup community, organizing and attending events, and if you have a tech startup in Atlanta, getting through him and applying to ATDC is not hard. Whats more, the ATDC organizes some of the best events for tech entrepreneurs in the city.
ATDC is great, but Dana you seem to be arguing for something we do not have – an incubator for truly early stage companies – 3 guys/gals and an idea. I think everyone would love that, its just not what ATDC does. Its a gap that remains to be filled, and it would be great if the state threw some money at this.
You do have to ‘know someone’ to get into ATDC – customers willing to pay you, or an investor willing to roll you – the space is discounted but its not cheap. But Lance is highly accessible to entrepreneurs and is all over the place in the startup community, organizing and attending events, and if you have a tech startup in Atlanta, getting through him and applying to ATDC is not hard. Whats more, the ATDC organizes some of the best events for tech entrepreneurs in the city.
ATDC is great, but Dana you seem to be arguing for something we do not have – an incubator for truly early stage companies – 3 guys/gals and an idea. I think everyone would love that, its just not what ATDC does. Its a gap that remains to be filled, and it would be great if the state threw some money at this.
Bottom line. Name me some recent successes spawned by the ATDC. I listed what was done in the 1980s and 1990s. What have you done lately? Since 2003?
Bottom line. Name me some recent successes spawned by the ATDC. I listed what was done in the 1980s and 1990s. What have you done lately? Since 2003?
Atlanta’s Technology landscape has certainly deteriorated over the last decade, and I agree completely with several of your key points, specifically in the “remedies” suggestions.
But more importantly, I would suggest that Georgia Tech and the ATDC are not the only bodies that can help return Atlanta to its status as a technology center. And they certainly can’t be held up as the only organizations at fault for the downturn.
First, where is MACOC with the technology startup scene. One would think that the chamber of commerce would have an active and vested interest in evangelizing Atlanta technology startups and the resources available to early stage companies. I see more High Tech evangelism from the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce than I do from Metro Atlanta.
Secondly, where is the Atlanta print media (like the AJC, and the Atlanta Business Chronicle)? One would think that these publications have a vested interest in attracting eyes to Atlanta by actually taking the time to report on startups. But, instead, reporting is limited to coverage of startups that are selling huge stakes and moving out of state.
Thirdly, why are our local VC’s allowing their investments to be taken out of Georgia?
Can we, as a community, develop a strategy to keep acquired companies local? Of course that won’t work every time, but Dave Wright made it work with JungleDisk, and should be applauded for doing so.
And Dave made it work without the ATDC or Georgia Tech.
Atlanta’s Tech sector needs a lot of work, and my recent experience suggests that some of the right minds are working on it, but let’s focus on getting more of a city-wide effort in motion than holding two organizations responsible for the success or failure of an entire industry.
Atlanta’s Technology landscape has certainly deteriorated over the last decade, and I agree completely with several of your key points, specifically in the “remedies” suggestions.
But more importantly, I would suggest that Georgia Tech and the ATDC are not the only bodies that can help return Atlanta to its status as a technology center. And they certainly can’t be held up as the only organizations at fault for the downturn.
First, where is MACOC with the technology startup scene. One would think that the chamber of commerce would have an active and vested interest in evangelizing Atlanta technology startups and the resources available to early stage companies. I see more High Tech evangelism from the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce than I do from Metro Atlanta.
Secondly, where is the Atlanta print media (like the AJC, and the Atlanta Business Chronicle)? One would think that these publications have a vested interest in attracting eyes to Atlanta by actually taking the time to report on startups. But, instead, reporting is limited to coverage of startups that are selling huge stakes and moving out of state.
Thirdly, why are our local VC’s allowing their investments to be taken out of Georgia?
Can we, as a community, develop a strategy to keep acquired companies local? Of course that won’t work every time, but Dave Wright made it work with JungleDisk, and should be applauded for doing so.
And Dave made it work without the ATDC or Georgia Tech.
Atlanta’s Tech sector needs a lot of work, and my recent experience suggests that some of the right minds are working on it, but let’s focus on getting more of a city-wide effort in motion than holding two organizations responsible for the success or failure of an entire industry.
Actually, speaking about technology in Atlanta and the community. We are running a Cloud Camp Atlanta on Jan 20 2009 at the ATDC (cloudcamp.com/atlanta). Cloud Camp’s have been run all around the world and this is a great opportunity for people to find out what the Atlanta community is doing in the cloud “Today.”
http://www.cloudcamp.com/
John
johnmwillis.com
Actually, speaking about technology in Atlanta and the community. We are running a Cloud Camp Atlanta on Jan 20 2009 at the ATDC (cloudcamp.com/atlanta). Cloud Camp’s have been run all around the world and this is a great opportunity for people to find out what the Atlanta community is doing in the cloud “Today.”
http://www.cloudcamp.com/
John
johnmwillis.com
Dana, as a serial entrepreneur and (new) angel here in Atlanta, I strongly disagree with the “dig” on the ATDC.
However, I wholeheartedly agree that there is a dearth of early-stage investments in Atlanta. Nearly all are biz plays; very few are consumer products & services. It’s surprising, b/c Turner could be supporting a lot of new media opps.
IMHO, Atlanta needs more investors with the “invest small, but often” and “fail fast” strategies. The person behind yesterday’s failure stands a better-than-average chance of being tomorrow’s success story.
Dean…
PS — And Ben, c’mon. Really? As an innovative entrepreneur and all-round good guy, Jeff Haynie is plenty credible. Appcelerator’s relo was a loss to the Atlanta tech community. Spiteful comments like that don’t do anyone any good, regardless which side of the investment dollar they are on.
Dana, as a serial entrepreneur and (new) angel here in Atlanta, I strongly disagree with the “dig” on the ATDC.
However, I wholeheartedly agree that there is a dearth of early-stage investments in Atlanta. Nearly all are biz plays; very few are consumer products & services. It’s surprising, b/c Turner could be supporting a lot of new media opps.
IMHO, Atlanta needs more investors with the “invest small, but often” and “fail fast” strategies. The person behind yesterday’s failure stands a better-than-average chance of being tomorrow’s success story.
Dean…
PS — And Ben, c’mon. Really? As an innovative entrepreneur and all-round good guy, Jeff Haynie is plenty credible. Appcelerator’s relo was a loss to the Atlanta tech community. Spiteful comments like that don’t do anyone any good, regardless which side of the investment dollar they are on.
Might I forward you along to http://www.atllogos.com/ ? There are so many technology startups in atlanta, someone had to make a website just to organize them all 🙂
And regarding the ATDC, its the best thing going for Atlanta’s tech scene right now. I don’t think I’ve been to a technology oriented meetup/conference this year that wasn’t graciously hosted by the ATDC. I think your criticism of them is channeling Jeff’s frustrations more than it is an accurate representation of reality.
Might I forward you along to http://www.atllogos.com/ ? There are so many technology startups in atlanta, someone had to make a website just to organize them all 🙂
And regarding the ATDC, its the best thing going for Atlanta’s tech scene right now. I don’t think I’ve been to a technology oriented meetup/conference this year that wasn’t graciously hosted by the ATDC. I think your criticism of them is channeling Jeff’s frustrations more than it is an accurate representation of reality.
Disclosure: Ex-Appcelerator employee #2 here
ATDC can only do so much on their own and they’re plenty accessible. It doesn’t take much to tweet @lance and he’s a very receptive guy.
I think the Appcelerator folks had their reasons for moving — I’m not privy to them but I doubt it was because Atlanta isn’t welcoming to startups.
Turning over your team every 2 years? Maybe if you’re a masochist.
Disclosure: Ex-Appcelerator employee #2 here
ATDC can only do so much on their own and they’re plenty accessible. It doesn’t take much to tweet @lance and he’s a very receptive guy.
I think the Appcelerator folks had their reasons for moving — I’m not privy to them but I doubt it was because Atlanta isn’t welcoming to startups.
Turning over your team every 2 years? Maybe if you’re a masochist.
Wow, i’m not credible? Hey look, the focus of our announcement and my interview with Dana was around our new product announcement. I think you’re seeing that announcement all over the web today. Ben, pretty crappy comment (but par for the course) to throw me under the bus?
Also, for the record, I was involved in 2 ATDC companies (RelevantKnowledge and my last company, Vocalocity was the 100th graduate). ATDC is a great institution with some great people – but only one of the many outlets that Atlanta needs.
I also participated in a lot of great entrepreneurial and tech events (as organizer, sponsor, cheerleader and attendee). I’ve worked my tail off promoting atlanta and i was born there and my family is still there. I love Atlanta.
But, it needs improvement and for this place and time with my career and my company, a move made the most sense to maximize our opportunity. That does speak to the problems of Atlanta as I’ve vocalized a lot in the past, but doesn’t throw the whole system into question.
There’s been *a lot* of wonderful, positive activity sense I’ve left -hopefully some of that was a positive, inward reaction to how things can be improved. Again, entreprrneuers are taking the leading role here.
I wish ATL the best of luck and intend to return one day.
Jeff
P.S. Lance Weatherby (from ATDC) has been one of the *biggest* promoters and champions of ATL and startups there are….
Wow, i’m not credible? Hey look, the focus of our announcement and my interview with Dana was around our new product announcement. I think you’re seeing that announcement all over the web today. Ben, pretty crappy comment (but par for the course) to throw me under the bus?
Also, for the record, I was involved in 2 ATDC companies (RelevantKnowledge and my last company, Vocalocity was the 100th graduate). ATDC is a great institution with some great people – but only one of the many outlets that Atlanta needs.
I also participated in a lot of great entrepreneurial and tech events (as organizer, sponsor, cheerleader and attendee). I’ve worked my tail off promoting atlanta and i was born there and my family is still there. I love Atlanta.
But, it needs improvement and for this place and time with my career and my company, a move made the most sense to maximize our opportunity. That does speak to the problems of Atlanta as I’ve vocalized a lot in the past, but doesn’t throw the whole system into question.
There’s been *a lot* of wonderful, positive activity sense I’ve left -hopefully some of that was a positive, inward reaction to how things can be improved. Again, entreprrneuers are taking the leading role here.
I wish ATL the best of luck and intend to return one day.
Jeff
P.S. Lance Weatherby (from ATDC) has been one of the *biggest* promoters and champions of ATL and startups there are….
If by “insular”, you mean selective, then yes, ATDC has limited space and resources and can only assist so many startups at one time.
But ATDC member companies represent a variety of sectors, industries, technologies, business models, etc.
Also note the diversity of the ATDC companies: these are not all “Bubba from Conyers” pet projects. At least one company moved to Georgia to have access to ATDC.
If by “insular”, you mean selective, then yes, ATDC has limited space and resources and can only assist so many startups at one time.
But ATDC member companies represent a variety of sectors, industries, technologies, business models, etc.
Also note the diversity of the ATDC companies: these are not all “Bubba from Conyers” pet projects. At least one company moved to Georgia to have access to ATDC.
The company @benag mentions is WorthPoint. They moved here from Virgina.
Biggest successes since 2003 include CardioMEMs and Suniva. Vendormate is on their way as well.
The biggest measure of ATDC’s success is what the entrepreneurs that we work with say about us and how we helped them. Most of the ones that say that we suck have never been a part of an ATDC program.
Regardless, I think that spending an hour at ATDC either as part of one of the programs we put on or just getting a general update would be pretty eyeopening.
Let’s try and make that happen.
And as I told Jeff in a personal email, congrats to him and the Appcelerator team on their progress.
The company @benag mentions is WorthPoint. They moved here from Virgina.
Biggest successes since 2003 include CardioMEMs and Suniva. Vendormate is on their way as well.
The biggest measure of ATDC’s success is what the entrepreneurs that we work with say about us and how we helped them. Most of the ones that say that we suck have never been a part of an ATDC program.
Regardless, I think that spending an hour at ATDC either as part of one of the programs we put on or just getting a general update would be pretty eyeopening.
Let’s try and make that happen.
And as I told Jeff in a personal email, congrats to him and the Appcelerator team on their progress.
Hello Dana,
I was forwarded your article by a friend and felt compelled to comment as well as share a new initiative I’m seeking to get off the ground.
As an entreprenuer, I’ve found the ATL investment market to be cliquish and somewhat silo’d. I won’t elaborate on my personal experiences but have found a stark contrast in the spirit of local business engagement / investment between ATL and other major markets I’ve previously been part of.
I recently posted an open invitation on LinkedIn to seek volunteers to help me establish a non-profit organization in ATL designed to provide grants to small businesses seeking supplemental funding or an individual with a great idea who needs a kick start in order to turn their great idea into a viable business. The only criteria is that those who receive funding reinvest in the local business community and embrace the notion of “Paying it Forward” through the successful launch of their business.
We’ve named the fund The Atlanta Seed Fund and it really speaks to the spirit of what you wrote. I’ve been humbled and most impressed with the positive feedback and amount of volunteers ready to jump in and help. Our whole model is predicated on businesses, business professionals and individuals making smaller contributions toward the fund. I already have attorney’s working on the creation of the organization. I’m taking the liberty of including my original message in the hopes that others reading your blog would be willing to join this worthy cause.
If one is on LinkedIn and want to throw their hat into the ring to help, please join the Atlanta Seed Fund Group.
PAY IT FORWARD GEORGIA! Seeking volunteers to establish GRANT fund for Georgia-based start ups.
Calling all Atlanta area business people who embrace the spirit of community & giving back. I’m seeking committed volunteers to join me in creating a non-profit organization that manages a fund designed to GRANT seed money to worthy start-ups in and around greater ATL, North & Central GA. A solid 2009 goal would be to raise $500,000 from individual & corporate contributions.
The fund would grant $50,000 or less in seed capital to entrepreneurs with a sound business idea and help turn that idea into a viable business. Members of the organization’s leadership committee would NOT be eligible for grants to avoid conflicts of interest and distance ourselves from any inkling of fraud.
The fund would support all business profiles, but earmark a healthy percentage for women & minority owned businesses. With $500K for grants, we could positively impact starting 10+ businesses in our local area.
As an entrepreneur, I’ve experienced the challenges this economy presents in acquiring the capital / seed money to launch a new business. I’m sure many of you can relate. I’m committed to establish this fund to foster a strong sense of community where business people support one another and HELP OURSELVES through reinvestment.
This is as ground floor as it gets. We need volunteers for:
* Legal support / set up the Non-Profit organization.
* Logo design & Web site creation (online donation enabled)
* Marketing, collateral design & PR efforts
* Ethics committee & Grant Review Board
* Accounting & finance
* Community evangelists / Corporate presenters
Overhead would be low (materials, hosting, etc.) as the majority of funds would be granted. Volunteers will not be compensated. It’s about PAYING IT FORWARD.
Interested in making a difference? Contact me via LinkedIn. A new LinkedIn Group will be established and a kick off meeting will be scheduled soon. Thank you for any and all consideration and please forward to your contacts.
Hello Dana,
I was forwarded your article by a friend and felt compelled to comment as well as share a new initiative I’m seeking to get off the ground.
As an entreprenuer, I’ve found the ATL investment market to be cliquish and somewhat silo’d. I won’t elaborate on my personal experiences but have found a stark contrast in the spirit of local business engagement / investment between ATL and other major markets I’ve previously been part of.
I recently posted an open invitation on LinkedIn to seek volunteers to help me establish a non-profit organization in ATL designed to provide grants to small businesses seeking supplemental funding or an individual with a great idea who needs a kick start in order to turn their great idea into a viable business. The only criteria is that those who receive funding reinvest in the local business community and embrace the notion of “Paying it Forward” through the successful launch of their business.
We’ve named the fund The Atlanta Seed Fund and it really speaks to the spirit of what you wrote. I’ve been humbled and most impressed with the positive feedback and amount of volunteers ready to jump in and help. Our whole model is predicated on businesses, business professionals and individuals making smaller contributions toward the fund. I already have attorney’s working on the creation of the organization. I’m taking the liberty of including my original message in the hopes that others reading your blog would be willing to join this worthy cause.
If one is on LinkedIn and want to throw their hat into the ring to help, please join the Atlanta Seed Fund Group.
PAY IT FORWARD GEORGIA! Seeking volunteers to establish GRANT fund for Georgia-based start ups.
Calling all Atlanta area business people who embrace the spirit of community & giving back. I’m seeking committed volunteers to join me in creating a non-profit organization that manages a fund designed to GRANT seed money to worthy start-ups in and around greater ATL, North & Central GA. A solid 2009 goal would be to raise $500,000 from individual & corporate contributions.
The fund would grant $50,000 or less in seed capital to entrepreneurs with a sound business idea and help turn that idea into a viable business. Members of the organization’s leadership committee would NOT be eligible for grants to avoid conflicts of interest and distance ourselves from any inkling of fraud.
The fund would support all business profiles, but earmark a healthy percentage for women & minority owned businesses. With $500K for grants, we could positively impact starting 10+ businesses in our local area.
As an entrepreneur, I’ve experienced the challenges this economy presents in acquiring the capital / seed money to launch a new business. I’m sure many of you can relate. I’m committed to establish this fund to foster a strong sense of community where business people support one another and HELP OURSELVES through reinvestment.
This is as ground floor as it gets. We need volunteers for:
* Legal support / set up the Non-Profit organization.
* Logo design & Web site creation (online donation enabled)
* Marketing, collateral design & PR efforts
* Ethics committee & Grant Review Board
* Accounting & finance
* Community evangelists / Corporate presenters
Overhead would be low (materials, hosting, etc.) as the majority of funds would be granted. Volunteers will not be compensated. It’s about PAYING IT FORWARD.
Interested in making a difference? Contact me via LinkedIn. A new LinkedIn Group will be established and a kick off meeting will be scheduled soon. Thank you for any and all consideration and please forward to your contacts.
Perfect example of what I’m talking about. Now, let’s do it every quarter.
Thx @Lance for the Tweet. http://bit.ly/PlayON
Perfect example of what I’m talking about. Now, let’s do it every quarter.
Thx @Lance for the Tweet. http://bit.ly/PlayON
Dana – good write-up. The departure of Appcelerator helped start a conversation around what we need to do to improve the high growth ecosystem here in Atlanta. Most of us were already working on the issue when the story hit, but it helped build more momentum around the discussion. The reality is we’re making progress. ATDC has been and will continue to be a huge part of that effort. Lance, Cindy, and others work tirelessly to provide structure and support for scores of start-ups – some housed at ATDC, some only connected to ATDC through one of many programs.
With all due respect to those parties involved, the story of Appcelerator’s departure is no longer the story – as a venture investor, I’m more interested in talking about companies that are here and are committed to kicking tail here.
Dana – good write-up. The departure of Appcelerator helped start a conversation around what we need to do to improve the high growth ecosystem here in Atlanta. Most of us were already working on the issue when the story hit, but it helped build more momentum around the discussion. The reality is we’re making progress. ATDC has been and will continue to be a huge part of that effort. Lance, Cindy, and others work tirelessly to provide structure and support for scores of start-ups – some housed at ATDC, some only connected to ATDC through one of many programs.
With all due respect to those parties involved, the story of Appcelerator’s departure is no longer the story – as a venture investor, I’m more interested in talking about companies that are here and are committed to kicking tail here.