What Startup Atlanta does

Startup Atlanta is a community nonprofit organization founded in 2009 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that operates as a coordinating platform for the Metro Atlanta startup ecosystem. Its stated mission is to introduce, connect, support, and expand the entrepreneurial ecosystem within the greater Atlanta region in order to bolster the creation of jobs, companies, and wealth. The organization explicitly organizes its work around four network layers — talent, money, ideas, and vendors/services — and positions itself as a neutral, non-profit alternative to for-profit ecosystem players.

The organization delivers three core offerings: (1) the Guide to the Startup Ecosystem, a publication that maps Metro Atlanta incubators, accelerators, investors, and resources; (2) the Atlanta Startup Awards, an annual recognition program with category-specific awards such as Best Underrepresented-Founded Startup and Best B2B Startup; and (3) a Community Events Calendar, distributed both through startupatlanta.com and via integration with startupspace.app. In partnership with startup Kiksasa, the organization has also launched a revamped digital ecosystem map. Startup Atlanta does not sell products or services; its underlying technology stack is limited to website, email newsletter, and the third-party calendar platform.

The business model is sponsorship- and supporter-driven. The organization runs on a grassroots funding model, offering volunteer committee opportunities and sponsorship packages to organizations including Nebo Agency, Emory University's Goizueta Business School, Acuity, and ATDC (Georgia Tech's Advanced Technology Development Center). Headcount is 1–10 employees, and the organization does not have pricing, product sales, or recurring revenue contracts. Its primary beneficiary segment is growth-focused entrepreneurs in the Atlanta region who are scaling their businesses.

Name

Startup Atlanta

Legal name

Startup Atlanta

Website

https://startupatlanta.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Startup Atlanta is a community nonprofit founded in 2009 that connects, grows, and promotes the Metro Atlanta startup ecosystem through an Ecosystem Guide, Atlanta Startup Awards, and community events, funded by sponsorships from regional corporate and academic supporters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Ecosystem Support Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

Keywords

• Startup ecosystem support
• Entrepreneurship community building
• Regional startup advocacy
• Startup networking services
• Entrepreneur ecosystem development

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Sponsorships and Support: Startup Atlanta operates as a grassroots, supporter-driven organization funded through sponsorships and supporter contributions. They offer opportunities for organizations to sponsor their efforts in growing and strengthening the startup community.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Startup Atlanta is a community non-profit focused on connecting, growing and promoting the Metro Atlanta Startup Ecosystem. It publishes the Guide to the Startup Ecosystem, hosts the Atlanta Startup Awards, and promotes regional startup activities to strengthen talent, funding, idea, and vendor/service networks for local entrepreneurs.

Product overview

Startup Atlanta is a community non-profit organization that operates as a platform connecting, growing, and promoting the Metro Atlanta startup ecosystem. The organization offers three core offerings: the Guide to the Startup Ecosystem (a comprehensive resource documenting the regional startup landscape), the Atlanta Startup Awards (an annual recognition program for outstanding entrepreneurs and startups), and a Community Events Calendar that promotes entrepreneurial activities throughout the region. These offerings work together to strengthen talent networks, funding connections, and resource access for growth-focused entrepreneurs in the Atlanta area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Atlanta Startup Awards: An annual awards program recognizing outstanding startups in the Atlanta region, including categories such as Best Underrepresented-Founded Startup and Best B2B Startup.
• Ecosystem Guide

Products and services

• Guide to the Startup Ecosystem A comprehensive publication that maps and documents the Metro Atlanta startup ecosystem, including incubators, accelerators, investors, and resources available to growth-focused entrepreneurs in the region.
• Atlanta Startup Awards An annual awards program that recognizes and celebrates outstanding startups and entrepreneurs in the Atlanta region, including category-specific awards such as Best Underrepresented-Founded Startup and Best B2B Startup.
• Community Events Calendar A calendar platform that showcases startup community events throughout Atlanta, allowing users to connect, learn, and grow through regional entrepreneurial activities.

Segments1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Nebo AgencyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNebo Agency is listed as a sponsor of Startup Atlanta, contributing to the organization's grassroots efforts in growing and strengthening the Metro Atlanta startup community.
• Emory GoizuetaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmory University's Goizueta Business School is a sponsor of Startup Atlanta, supporting the startup ecosystem development efforts.
• AcuityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAcuity is listed as a sponsor of Startup Atlanta, supporting the organization's mission to grow and promote the Metro Atlanta startup ecosystem.
• ATDC (Advanced Technology Development Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerATDC (Advanced Technology Development Center) is a sponsor and key ecosystem partner of Startup Atlanta, representing Georgia Tech's technology business incubator program.
• KiksasacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit Startup Atlanta and startup Kiksasa launched a revamped digital map of Atlanta's startup ecosystem, showcasing incubators, accelerators, investors, and resources.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center): Major global innovation center operator providing coworking, labs, and event programming across multiple cities. Comparable in mission to Startup Atlanta — building community for growth-stage companies — but operates a paid real-estate-anchored model.
• Startup Genome: Global research and policy advisory organization that studies and supports startup ecosystems, including producing the influential Global Startup Ecosystem Report. Overlaps with Startup Atlanta's Guide to the Startup Ecosystem and ecosystem promotion mandate.
• Venture For America: Nonprofit that places recent graduates as fellows at startups in emerging US cities to strengthen regional ecosystems. Shares the nonprofit, ecosystem-development DNA of Startup Atlanta, with a focus on talent networks in growing tech hubs.
• MassChallenge: Global nonprofit startup accelerator that supports early-stage founders through programming, mentorship, and awards. Comparable to Startup Atlanta as a nonprofit community-builder, though focused on delivering accelerator-style programs rather than ecosystem convener work.

Direct peers

• Capital Factory: Austin-based tech hub and startup community organization that curates the regional ecosystem, runs events, awards, and accelerator-style programming. Mirrors Startup Atlanta's role as a regional community steward for growth-focused entrepreneurs.
• 1871: Chicago's flagship nonprofit tech hub and community organization that connects, supports, and grows the local startup ecosystem. Operates a similar neutral convener model to Startup Atlanta, providing programming, events, and ecosystem visibility for member companies.
• Tech: NYC: Nonprofit membership and advocacy organization for New York City's tech ecosystem, similar in mission and structure to Startup Atlanta — focused on connecting, growing, and promoting the local startup community through events, policy advocacy, and ecosystem programming.
• Venture Café Foundation: Nonprofit that operates the Venture Café innovation hub in Cambridge, hosting weekly gatherings to connect the local innovation community. Shares Startup Atlanta's nonprofit, community-activation model focused on networking and ecosystem visibility.

Regional players

• Switchyards: Atlanta-based neighborhood work club and startup community operator. Comparable to Startup Atlanta in geography and audience, but offers paid memberships and physical workspaces rather than operating as a free community convener.
• Atlanta Tech Village: Atlanta-based coworking and startup community hub, a direct geographic peer that provides physical infrastructure and community programming for Atlanta entrepreneurs. Overlaps with Startup Atlanta on ecosystem-building but does so through a workspace-centric model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/startup-atlanta
• Xx.com/startupatlanta
• Facebookfacebook.com/StartupAtlanta

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Startup Atlanta