Graduation Gift Empowers Rising Entrepreneurs
When Georgia Tech alumnus Christopher W. Klaus announced he would personally cover the incorporation costs for graduating Tech students who sought to launch a startup, he wanted the gift to ignite their entrepreneurial spirit and elevate Atlanta's startup culture.
For hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs, including Raghav Balasubramaniam, founder and CEO of Overcast, and Shreyas Mavanoor, co-founder of Cortexa Labs, the gift helped turn ideas into action.
"The incorporation gift genuinely shaped the future of my company," said Balasubramaniam, who graduated in the spring with a master’s in computer science. "It allowed me to formalize Overcast at a time when it was just an idea on paper, and that legitimacy changed our trajectory for the better. The network that comes with this opportunity played an equally important role, giving me the space, mentorship, and push I needed to learn quickly, refine the product, and accelerate the company in a matter of months."
Now, Klaus’ offer, which includes access to GT Spark — a curated, community-driven experience with workshops, hands-on support, and mentorship from experienced founders and operators — will be extended to this semester's Georgia Tech graduates.
Mavanoor, who graduated with a master’s degree in cybersecurity, and his co-founder viewed the gift as a "chance to supercharge" their startup's ability to engage with customers and potential investors, as well as a commitment to creating a collaborative and vibrant startup culture in Atlanta.
A Boston Consulting Group study found that increasing the number of local startups and graduate retention are key components of the city's goal to become a top-five U.S. tech hub.
"This type of support for graduates signals that they're serious about fostering a strong startup ecosystem within the Atlanta area and retaining the talent that graduates from Tech," Mavanoor said.
As the leader of Fusen, a startup accelerator that connects students with founders, mentors, investors, and early-stage funding to launch new ventures, Klaus remains a driving force behind Atlanta’s technology sector growth. His philanthropic support helped establish CREATE-X, Tech’s flagship entrepreneurship program, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024 and has launched more than 500 student startups. This gift is made in memory of Klaus' son, Will, a fellow Yellow Jacket who was passionate about technology, startups, and helping others get started.
"Take the leap," Balasubramaniam advises this semester’s graduates who will benefit from Klaus’ philanthropy. "Incorporating provides a legitimate structure to what would otherwise just be a whiteboard idea. The earlier you start, the more time you have to iterate, make mistakes, and discover what the company should become. The risk may seem large at first, but the upside of starting now outweighs it.”
Mavanoor offered similar advice, telling graduates not to let uncertainty stop them from taking advantage of joining the GT Spark community.
“Make use of it, because if not now, then when? I wouldn't worry about trying to solve every problem before incorporating because there is so much to learn when starting a business, and this is a great advantage to join this professional network that can help you along the way," he said.
The priority deadline to apply for the gift is Dec. 19, and the final deadline is Jan. 13, 2026. For more information on the application, click here.