Georgia Tech Is Advancing Atlanta’s Tech Ecosystem

Atlanta’s tech scene is buzzing, and Georgia Tech’s Office of Commercialization is at the center of the action. In the heart of Tech Square, we’re joining the citywide journey of innovation and connection by curating events for Atlanta Tech Week powered by Render. The Tech Square Tech Hop, happening Wednesday, June 11, from 3 to 5 p.m., will showcase the city’s dynamic startup landscape, bringing together founders, funders, builders, and believers.

Tech Square Tech Hop is a demonstration of Georgia Tech’s pivotal role in coordinated work advancing Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event aligns directly with the Institute’s strategic plan, particularly Big Bet 4, which focuses on developing a vibrant business and entrepreneurial hub anchored in the heart of campus.

By transforming Tech Square into a walkable innovation showcase, Tech Hop brings visibility to the often-unseen relationships and resources that drive the entrepreneurial spirit. This includes collective efforts with the Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator under EI², which spotlights the growth of food and beverage startups across Atlanta, as well as collaborations with Tech Square Ventures, Engage, ATDC, CREATE-X, and Quadrant-i to elevate the visibility of startup ventures born from Tech Square programs and highlight the support ecosystem available to founders.

The Office of Commercialization is fully mobilized not only to support Georgia Tech faculty, staff, and students but also to substantially grow entrepreneurship programs through powerful partnerships. “Our commitment to building a national hub for innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship is stronger than ever. Through collaborations with the city, state, and other organizations, we are dedicated to making Atlanta a leading example of inclusive progress,” says Raghupathy "Siva" Sivakumar, vice president of Commercialization and chief commercialization officer for Georgia Tech.

The Institute’s leadership extends beyond Atlanta Tech Week. Central to this work is our partnership with the City of Atlanta, where Mayor Andre Dickens is advancing a bold vision to establish Atlanta as a top-five U.S. tech hub. In support of this goal, the city launched two signature initiatives in 2023 that unite Atlanta’s Office of Technology and Innovation with leading academic institutions, including Georgia Tech, Clark Atlanta University, Emory University, Georgia State University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College.

One flagship initiative is the Atlanta Collegiate Entrepreneurship Syndicate (ACES), a cross-institutional alliance designed to strengthen Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by leveraging shared talent, resources, and ideas. ACES stands as a model of unified effort within Georgia’s collegiate system, laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth and development.

“Sustaining a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem requires an intentional approach,” says Michael “Dixon” Dixon, senior director of Strategic Initiatives and Operations. “Atlanta possesses tremendous assets — local talent, capital, and market opportunity — but true success hinges on our ability to strategically connect and leverage these strengths, with Georgia Tech serving as both convener and executor. This synergy is already yielding meaningful results.”

The second signature initiative underscores Georgia Tech’s strategic role as the host institution of Avant South, a conference that gives our faculty, students, and alumni a front-row seat to Atlanta’s evolving innovation ecosystem. By championing this effort, we elevate homegrown talent and technologies while opening new pathways for high-impact collaboration, startup visibility, and industry engagement. Last year’s conference spotlighted four sectors: media and entertainment, sports, digital arts, and entrepreneurship, exploring their future through the lens of emerging technologies. This year, Avant South returns Oct. 16 – 17 with a focus on transportation, complemented by key themes in fintech, energy, smart cities, and logistics.

Avant South shows where Atlanta’s innovation ecosystem is headed; Tech Square Tech Hop reveals where it’s already flourishing. Happening during Atlanta Tech Week (June 8 – 13), Tech Hop is a vibrant gathering of startups, innovation programs, and local food and beverage vendors, and a prime opportunity to meet the people driving Atlanta’s entrepreneurial energy.

The Tech Square Tech Hop is free and open to the public. To join the event, register here.

Georgia Tech’s Office of Commercialization is a cornerstone in turning the Institute’s leading-edge research into real-world applications and championing student entrepreneurial pursuits. It comprises four key units: CREATE-X, VentureLab, Quadrant-i, and Technology Licensing. These units empower students and faculty to launch startups, manage intellectual property, and transform research ideas into positive societal impact. Our mission is to accelerate innovation and improve the human condition, solidifying Georgia Tech’s leadership in technology and entrepreneurship.