3Ci Weekly Tech Minute is a weekly installment of Atlanta’s top tech news. Hosted by one of Atlanta’s own tech experts, Titania Jordan, the Weekly Tech Minute is where our city’s tech leaders and enthusiasts turn to receive up-to-date stories about Atlanta’s buzzing tech scene.
Atlanta’s tech scene is on fire! Check out all of our city’s top #tech stories from June. #chooseATL
Top Tech Stories
Cyber Attacks Are on the Rise
According to the Wallstreet Journal, local governments across the US are facing a growing number of cyber attacks and escalating ransom demands. Hackers recently crippled thousands of computers in the city of Baltimore and demanded $76,000, which they did not pay. Others have caved, included a Georgia county that got its data back for $400,000—ouch. Get the full story.
Cannabis Wellness Startup Raises $100 Million
Surterra Wellness raises $100 million series D, and is hiring for tech roles in Atlanta. The company says the funding will go toward additional strategic acquisitions and infrastructure expenditures. According to Holly Beilin, Surterra is going after the full gamut of the emerging and fast-growing cannabis wellness market, which is projected to reach $148 billion by 2026. Get the full story.
911 Response Times Are Improving
911 response times are getting faster thanks to data integration, but there’s still room for improvement. US regulators estimate that as many as 10,000 lives could be saved every year by reducing 911 response times by just one minute. Two companies making waves in this space is CentralSquare, created last year by a merger of several public safety and administration software makers, and Atlanta-based Laaser. Get the full story.
Atlanta Funding News
FI Navigator
This Atlanta-based data analytics startup just closed a $2.5 million series B investment led by Pete Kight, the former CEO of CheckFree. FI Navigator dramatically advanced industry analytics, closer to automated consulting with instant, comprehensive assessment of any institution. The company will use this capital to expand its data platform. Get the full story
Volantio
Flight optimization startup secures an undisclosed investment from airline IT giant Amadeus and announces a formal technology partnership which will provide the companies global clients access to Volantio’s booking optimization platform. They’ve more than doubled 220 employees over the past year, and while they continue to grow in their downtown Atlanta office, they are focused on increasing their client pipeline. Get the full story.
ConnexPay
Payments technology startup closes a $7 million series A led by BIP Capital to expand its Atlanta team. A large portion of this series A will be allocated towards hiring, and on the technical side. BIP Capital CEO Mark Buffington believes this advancement will transform “online payment acceptances and issuance for the travel industry. Get the full story.
Atlanta Tech Scene
Calling Atlanta’s Coolest Companies
Atlanta Inno is looking for Atlanta’s coolest companies for its inaugural Coolest Company awards. If you’re a local startup or growth-stage company with an amazing culture, take note of this opportunity. Nominations close Friday, July 12 and winners will be announced this August.
Women + Tech Meetup
Atlanta Tech Village is now hosting a monthly Women + Tech Meetup to make the phrase “Women in Tech” obsolete. Join a group of driven and intelligent woman and openly discuss personal and professional growth, challenges in the workplace, community involvement, and so much more.
New E-Scooter Options Coming to Atlanta
Atlanta will be the first city in the nation to get a network of charging docking stations for e-scooters. GetCharged, Inc, a New York-based micromobility company building electric charging, storage, and service stations for e-scooters and e-bikes has announced that it has secured over 250 charging station locations in Atlanta with the first 25 installations to be up and running in the next few months. Get the full story.
Cox Enterprises Launching Second Techstars Accelerator
Cox Enterprises is launching its second Techstars accelerator in Atlanta—this time focused on social impact. Alex Taylor, president and CEO of Cox Enterprises, gave the following statement: “Income inequality, cleaner sources of energy, and sustainable food production are just some of the challenges we’re all facing. Our company wants to invest in the future and empower great people to create a better future for the next generation. Investing in startups in accelerators like Techstars helps do that.” Get the full story.
Atlanta-based Adtech Company Partners Up With Chipotle
Female adtech founder and CEO, Catherine Tabor, just snagged a major partnership with Chipotle. Sparkfly will use its technology to run Chipotles in-app ad campaigns, rewards programs, tech intelligence in stores, and online orders. Congratulations to the Sparkly team! Get the full story.
Atlanta Tech Village Graduates Third Class
The Tech Village launched the It Takes A Village Pre-Accelerator Program in 2018 to give beta-stage startups led by women and people of color the opportunity to gain direct access to community, education, mentorship, and capital. With a combined $450,000 raised in seed investments and $1.8 million generated in revenue to-date, the Atlanta Tech Village celebrated the progress and success of their Spring ’19 Cohort. Get the full story.
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