employees collaborating in a meeting room

About

TAG’s Corporate Development Society provides a series of networking opportunities and educational content sessions geared towards the ecosystem of Corporate Development professionals in the Atlanta area. Through our series of events, we aspire to develop a well-connected Community of corporate development professionals and to provide that Community with a forum for growth and discussion of industry trends, issues, and concepts.

What is Corporate Development?

Corporate Development is a discipline that involves developing, planning, and executing strategies to grow and develop companies either through organic or inorganic methods. Inorganic growth strategies most often include mergers & acquisitions, divestitures, alliances/strategic partnerships, and venture capital.

Corporate Development is performed across the spectrum of company sizes and ownership structures:

· Startups/Early Stage

· Middle Market and Private Equity-Backed

· Large Cap/Enterprise

Georgia Startup Stats

The BIP Ventures mid-year report for 2024 highlights key shifts in venture capital, including investment strategies, sectors, and private market opportunities.

Shift in Investment Strategies: The venture capital market has shifted from the “growth at any cost” mentality to a more measured approach, focusing on follow-on and later-stage deals. This change reflects a heightened sense of responsibility and recalibration in funding.

Sector Focus: Healthcare Tech, Consumer Tech, and Fintech remained strong in 2023, but SaaS, particularly AI-driven startups, saw significant investment. However, investors are cautious about distinguishing genuine innovation from hype.

Private Market Opportunities: Despite market challenges, the private market remains robust, with startups staying private longer and VC activity back to pre-pandemic levels. This environment favors well-equipped private investors and promising startups.

The report highlights the following Georgia startup statistics for 2024:

Investment Growth: Georgia saw a significant increase in startup investments, with a focus on healthcare tech, fintech, and AI-driven solutions.
Funding Rounds: The number of funding rounds increased, particularly in seed and early-stage investments.
Sector Leadership: Georgia startups are leading in innovative sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, and healthcare technology.

Read the Full Report

Audience

The ecosystem of Corporate Development professionals includes Dealmakers, Investors, Bankers, Legal and Financial Advisors, and M&A Consultants.

Background

The TAG Corporate Development Society was founded in 2017 by senior industry leaders from IBM Corporation and Morris, Manning & Martin LLP, one of the leading technology law firms in the country. The Society is run by a group of 15 Board of Directors. Our Board Alumni Group contains more than 100 members!