Mayor Kasim Reed and Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta’s economic development agency, announced today the launch of a new program called Start Up Atlanta to help the local startup community engage, interact and create new businesses and jobs. Start Up Atlanta is one of Invest Atlanta’s initiatives to make the city nationally and internationally recognized for entrepreneurship.

A press conference detailing the program will be held today at the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) at Georgia Institute of Technology from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Keynote speakers include Mayor Kasim Reed, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director David J. Kappos, Invest Atlanta President and CEO Brian McGowan and Georgia Institute of Technology President Bud Peterson. The event will be streamed live and online for offsite participants to view and interact via chat. Learn It Live, Atlanta's own technology startup, is hosting the online event and can be found at http://www.learnitlive.com/class/2645/Start-Up-Atlanta-Official-Launch.

“This is a really exciting initiative,” said USPTO Director David J. Kappos. “If our country is going to maintain its competitive edge in the global economy, we’re going to need more efforts like Start Up Atlanta to help unleash the full innovative and entrepreneurial potential of our nation’s great cities.”

Start Up Atlanta’s goal is to introduce, connect, support and expand the entrepreneurial, investment and talent ecosystem within all industries of Atlanta, and the surrounding region. The program includes a web-based platform that visually maps out valuable resources such as incubators, accelerators and service providers, and connections to create and support a network for entrepreneurs to succeed in launching a startup or building a business in Atlanta.

“Atlanta's entrepreneurial spirit has always been strong and with the launch of Start Up Atlanta, companies will have a direct link to some of the most valuable resources needed when starting a business,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “This initiative not only will pair entrepreneurs with a vast array of talent and potential funding, but also will help create jobs and grow Atlanta’s economy."

By supporting collaboration and innovation, Start Up Atlanta provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to assess their startup ideas. Local tech and startup leaders, as well as Atlanta’s Fortune 500 companies, can participate by providing feedback in the areas of business and market strategy, fundraising, team development and more. Start Up Atlanta will also leverage resources to expand financing options for startups by connecting entrepreneurs with business advisors, investors and customers in the market.

“Start Up Atlanta will help interconnect Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and provide an opportunity to build partnerships and access local resources, as well as help raise Atlanta’s profile as a place where entrepreneurs from around the world can succeed,” said Brian P. McGowan, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta.

Invest Atlanta has partnered with organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to supporting the creation of jobs in their communities. Partner organizations include economic development agencies, entrepreneurial organizations, and state and local government entities.

During the event, Invest Atlanta, in partnership with the Tech Association of Georgia (TAG), will announce a video competition where participants will have the opportunity to tell why their company will change the world and what they like most about being in Atlanta. Five companies will be selected to present their video at the 2nd annual Venture Atlanta, Georgia’s largest investor showcase, conference in October. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000 in cash and a year subscription to iMeet from PGi. All participants will receive a free three-month subscription to iMeet, courtesy of PGi.

For more information on Start Up Atlanta, visit www.startupatlanta.com.

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About Invest Atlanta

Invest Atlanta is the official economic development authority for the City of Atlanta. Its purpose is to strengthen Atlanta’s economy and global competitiveness in order to create increased opportunity and prosperity for the people of Atlanta.

Chaired by the Mayor of Atlanta, and governed by a nine-member board of directors, Invest Atlanta’s programs and initiatives focus on developing and fostering public/private partnerships to create jobs, grow the economy, revitalize neighborhoods, attract investment, spur innovation, and encourage entrepreneurship. To achieve these goals, Invest Atlanta leverages the benefits of bond financing, revolving loan funds, housing financing, tax increment financing (TIF), and tax credits.

For more information on how Invest Atlanta can provide solutions for you or your business, contact us at: 404-880-4100, e-mail: wcronin@investatlanta.com or visit us at: www.InvestAtlanta.com. To get the latest updates, follow us on Twitter @InvestAtlanta, and Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/investatlanta.