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It’s here! → “Atlanta Tech News Roundup | February 2020.” Go behind-the-scenes of Atlanta’s tech scene with stories via @VentureAtlanta, @Switchyards, @Macys & more. https://www.3ci-mau.com/blog/top-atlanta-tech-news-february-2020-edition #TechCONNECT #AtlantaTech
Trending: Atlanta’s Top Tech Stories
Atlanta Makes the List of 2020 Surge Cities
Inc. and innovation policy company Startup Genome released the 2020 Surge Cities index which identifies the 50 best areas for startup growth, and Atlanta made the list. After analyzing seven essential indicators- such as early-stage funding and job creation, Inc. and Startup Genome determined that Atlanta ranks # five in high growth company density, # 20 in early-stage funding deals, and # 24 in job creation, giving much of the credit to Atlanta Tech Village for inspiring networks of incubators and co-working spaces.
Switchyards Has a Waitlist
Switchyards recently announced that memberships are now sold out. Switchyards’ flagship co-working space was established in Downtown Atlanta in 2016 and recently expanded to include two additional clubs on the Westside and Inman Park. Now they are at capacity with over 800 members. Switchyards now has a waiting list for anyone interested in joining.
Google to Celebrate International Women’s Day
Google is hosting a series of 15 educational summits designed to bring women together across the globe. The Atlanta summit, which will be held on March 21st, will include speakers from companies such as Delta and Angels N Tech, interactive workshops, and the opportunity to connect with fellow industry professionals. All local developers, designers, and technology entrepreneurs in any phase of their career are encouraged to attend. For more information about Google’s IWD Event Series, click here.
Greenville, SC will host the 5 th Annual NEXT Venture Pitch
The 5th Annual NEXT Venture Pitch will take place in Greenville, SC, on April 7th. This event is the best place for Carolina-based founders to get their ideas in front of the largest group of VCs in the state and have access to executive sessions about scaling a business. Plus, the winner of NEXT Venture Pitch will be featured as a showcase company at Venture Atlanta 2020. Apply here by March 15th.
David Cummings Inducted into the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia
Congratulations are in order for David Cummings, who has been announced as the 2019 inductee into the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia. Criteria for induction into the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia includes establishment and growth of successful technology companies and organizations, general entrepreneurship and innovation, economic impact, job creation, development of cutting edge technologies, and more. Cummings, the founder of the Atlanta Tech Village, is an innovative entrepreneur who has supported the local community with a collection of successful startups, including Terminus, SalesLoft, and Pardot. He will be honored at the Technology Association of Georgia’s (TAG) Summit event on March 4, 2020, at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. Read the full story here.
Laszlo Bock Thinks Machine Learning Can Make Work Better
Former Director of Human Resources at Google, Laszlo Bock, is on a mission to make work better everywhere through machine learning, science, and a little bit of love. His new behavioral change startup, Humu, uses artificial intelligence to sort through employee surveys and identify changes likely to boost the happiness of a company’s workforce. For example, one employee might get a nudge encouraging her to speak up in the first 10 minutes of a meeting, while another might receive a nudge urging him to ask someone who is quite what they think. Learn more about how Humu is using data to unlock ways to improve the workplace.
Atlanta Funding News
One Trust Raises $210M in Series B Funding
OneTrust, an Atlanta data privacy firm, announced it raised $210 million in its series B financing round. Last year, Atlanta Business Chronicle named OneTrust the metro area’s fastest-growing private company, which does not come as a surprise. Last July, the enterprise software company, which was founded in 2016, was valued at $1.3 billion, and at the conclusion of the financing round, the number jumped $2.7 billion. OneTrust now has 1,500 employees across ten global offices and has also been awarded 75 U.S. patents. Click here to read more.
Atlanta Tech Events
Venture Atlanta Announces 13th Annual Conference
This year’s conference will be held on October 21st and 22nd at Southern Exchange. Each year, 1,000s of tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, premiere investors, and key executives from across the country gather at Venture Atlanta. This is where top tier investors can connect with and fund the region’s most promising technology companies. Tickets will be on sale soon. Click here to purchase yours.
Emory University to Host Second Annual Siggie Awards
The 2nd Annual Siggie Awards will take place on April 16th at the Hatchery at Emory University. This event aims to recognize and honor local, early-stage investors and is named after Sig Moseley, who is currently the record holder of the largest southeast venture deal with the $5.7 billion acquisition of Tradex by Ariba. The award’s committee is now accepting nominations in four categories: Investor’s Choice, Founder’s Favorite, The Horizon Award, and The Conscious Capital Siggie Award. Learn more about each award and nominate an investor right here.
Atlanta is now the nation’s 4th fastest growing market for tech employment. Get the full story: https://www.3ci-mau.com/blog/top-atlanta-tech-news-february-2020-edition
#AtlantaTechNews #TechTalent
Atlanta Companies and Tech Leaders on the Move
New Amazon Distribution Center in Newnan
Governor Brian Kemp shared that Amazon will be opening a new distribution center in Newnan, Georgia. The announcement did not include when the 1-million-square-foot plus facility would be opening, but the center will be employing an additional 500 Georgians. Amazon is currently building another new fulfillment center on Atlanta’s east side near Stone Mountain, which will employ about 1,000 people. Governor Kemp also shared that the state’s logistics infrastructure, top-ranked workforce, and nationally recognized business climate have earned Georgia the distinction of No. 1 State for Business seven years in a row, and Amazon’s investments in the Peach State are a testament to that record of success.
Macy’s New Tech Hub is Coming to Midtown
On Friday, February 14th, Macy’s announced it will be closing its technology office in San Francisco to open a $14 million tech hub in Atlanta’s Midtown. This relocation will create more than 600 new jobs in Atlanta. According to a report from commercial real estate services company CBRE, Atlanta is now the nation’s 4th fastest growing market for tech employment, adding almost 32,000 jobs between 2013 and 2018. Read the full story here.
Allison Dukes Joins the Invesco Team
Allison Dukes, former CFO of SunTrust Banks, is joining Atlanta-based investment company Invesco. Beginning in March, Dukes will join the company as deputy CFO but will become senior managing director and CFO starting, August 1st. Read the full story here.
Atlanta Mergers, Acquisitions, and More
Sharecare Acquires Visualize Health
Atlanta-based digital health company Sharecare has acquired Visualize Health. This Tennessee-based healthcare company will help Sharecare continue to innovate the medical records management space. Through 14 previous acquisitions, Sharecare has introduced new services, including quality, performance, and risk adjustment tools, plus billing contract compliance. As health care shifts from a fee-based model to a model that ties physician reimbursement to patient outcomes, Sharecare is positioned to provide both physicians and patients with what they need to be successful in this new system. Read the full article here.
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