InnovATL2023 Turns a Spotlight on Metro Atlanta’s World-Class Innovation Ecosystem

Staff Report

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

InnovATL2023 kicks off this week, launching a month-long series of events that will showcase the entrepreneurs, innovators, creators and influencers pushing metro Atlanta to the next level of global innovation. 

“The breadth and depth of metro Atlanta’s innovation ecosystem is unmatched – and yet for too long, this powerhouse was largely unsung,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO, Metro Atlanta Chamber. “We are proud to be the convener that positions this extraordinary community as a nexus of innovation.”

InnovATL (pronounced “inno-VAY-tee-el”) is a convergence of independently organized events that begin on Tuesday, September 26. The metro Atlanta region’s inclusive and wide-ranging innovation community includes more than 200 companies on the Inc. 5000 list, 13 unicorn startups, and a thriving corporate innovation ecosystem. It is also home to globally recognized leadership in tech innovation as well as entertainment production, all fueled by a diverse talent pool from world-class universities.

With more than 40 events, participants can curate an individual InnovATL pathway that illuminates topics ranging from artificial intelligence and inventive funding to creative design and inclusivity. An InnovATL2023 pathway could follow one of several different journeys:

The Entrepreneurial Journey:

  • Venture Atlanta - One of the nation’s largest venture capital conferences and communities,

September 26-28

  • Venture Crawl - An exclusive tour of metro Atlanta's startup ecosystem, September 26

  • Atlanta Startup Awards - Celebrate Atlanta’s rising-star companies and startup pioneers, October 5

  • Techstars Atlanta Powered by Cox Enterprises - Founders take the stage at Atlanta Demo Day,

October 16

AI and Emerging Technology:

  • Avant South at Georgia Tech - Explore the Artificial Intelligence landscape and the importance of creating AI responsibly, September 28-29

  • AI Explained with Microsoft - Discover the fundamentals of AI and how to harness its power,

September 27

  • Atlanta Web3 Expo - Join Atlanta's thriving Web3 community and companies building actionable solutions with blockchain technology, September 28

  • France-Atlanta - Smart & Sustainable Mobility Panel - Delve into key aspects of building sustainable smart cities, October 20

Diversity and Inclusion in Innovation:

  • Intentionally Good Summit Volume II - Building a magnetic community for diverse founders and social entrepreneurs. Part inspiration. Part action. Part celebration. September 26-28

  • Visa Small Business Connect - An afternoon of learning and networking with local community financial institutions and small business experts, September 28

  • Women’s Global Leadership Conference at Agnes Scott College - Leading business and educational minds discuss meaningful solutions to systemic issues that block the way to social mobility, October 18 

Entrepreneurship in Higher Education

  • First Pitch Friday - University Edition at Emory University - Underrepresented student founders pitch to investors and connect with members of the innovation ecosystem, September 29

  • Shore Entrepreneurship Showcase at Kennesaw State University - Students and recent alumni showcase their remarkable startups, October 17

  • Demo Day at Georgia State University - Early-stage entrepreneurs showcase their ideas in a high-stakes business pitch competition, October 19

Innovation in Design and Creative Industries 

  • Atlanta Digital World Summit - An immersion into the current state and future of entertainment, gaming and fintech, October 4

  • UNLOQ404 - Creators of every level share their invaluable knowledge and experience, October 14

  • Creative Futures Conference - Design-minded leaders explore the ways design can drive radical transformation in business, climate, culture, and community, October 14-15 

Visit www.innovatl2023.com for full event details.