Techstars Atlanta announced Michael Cohn as the program's managing director. The startup accelerator program is entering its inaugural year in Atlanta and is presented in partnership between Techstars and Cox Enterprises.

"Michael is the ultimate example of both an entrepreneur and a mentor," said Techstars' Co-Founder and Managing Partner David Brown. "He's worked for both large and small corporations, and through his passion, Michael grew a concept into a successful company and acquisition. He knows Atlanta's startup community and will help boost the region's entrepreneurial spirit."

Cohn will set the strategic direction of the program and is responsible for recruiting and selecting companies, working with stakeholders across the Techstars network and long-term community development around the program.

He co-founded Cloud Sherpas in 2008. He remained a member of the senior leadership team running global marketing as the business scaled to more than 1,100 employees before exiting to Accenture in 2015. Prior to Cloud Sherpas, he held marketing leadership roles at IBM and Optimus Solutions. He also co-founded Logicept.

Cohn serves as a mentor at Atlanta Tech Village and advises several startups, including Terminus, Groundfloor and Storj. He is on the board of directors at Rural Sourcing and Venture Atlanta and is an advisor to the Emory Impact Investing Group. Cohn received a bachelor's degree in biology from Binghamton University and a master's degree in marketing from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.

"I'm thrilled to be joining the Techstars team and honored to be leading the program in Atlanta," said Cohn. "I look forward to coaching founders coming to the program from around the globe, and connecting them with our vibrant, Atlanta mentor network and the greater Techstars ecosystem."