By Larry K. Williams, TAG president and CEO
This week, TAG brought together our ever-expanding community of knowledge through our annual Georgia Technology Summit.
We welcomed about 1,000 tech professionals who shared their insights regarding the state of innovation in Georgia. The agenda was filled with insightful presentations on forward-looking technology topics and conversations about how we can collectively address environmental and societal challenges through innovation.
Today, the state of technology is strong and continues getting stronger. Last year, our startups raised over $4 billion, double the amount raised in 2020. We have a diversified pool of companies ranging from Global Fortune 1000 to Small and Medium Sized businesses and startups, supported by top-tier research universities and R&D centers and with an appetite for strategic partnerships and collaborations.
One of our shining stars is MailChimp, and we couldn’t be any prouder to have welcomed Co-Founder and CEO Ben Chestnut into the Technology Hall of Fame. Ben has made countless contributions to our technology community and inspired in many ways the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
Our cybersecurity panel with Southern Company President & CEO Tom Fanning, Cipher Brief Founder and CEO Suzanne Kelly, and (Ret) Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery on “Protecting Critical Infrastructure. Protecting the Future” was particularly timely. It impacts all of us, as we all need to be part of the solution. Ultimately, a cohesive approach between public and private entities on the global scale is required to address the ever-changing landscape of security threats.
Paul Brown, Co-Founder and CEO of Inspire Brands, also provided key insights on the power of digitalization in the food and hospitality industry.
I’m most proud of the launch of our Bridge Builders initiative to address social justice and equity. Together with our partners, including Arketi, Honeywell, NCR, Comcast Business, Southern Company and Fleetcor, TAG is committed to building an inclusive and diverse technology ecosystem that works for everyone in Georgia. Learn here how YOU can get involved here.
The summit was an inspiring celebration of the leaders and businesses that fuel the innovation economy in the region and beyond. Thanks to everyone who attended the event and our sponsors who made it possible! As the Georgia Technology Summit comes to a close, TAG looks forward to staying engaged not only through our events but also our mandate of influencing and promoting a thriving and inclusive innovation ecosystem throughout our state.
