Tech Ecosystem

Techstars Atlanta

Techstars Atlanta

Techstars Atlanta

Techstars is an internationally recognized startup accelerator that helps entrepreneurs boost their early-stage businesses and product development efforts through education and funding. For 90 days, 10 startups work in a creative space in the heart of midtown Atlanta, receiving expert counsel and support from a network of more than 100 local mentors — including dozens of Cox employees. The program concludes with a Demo Day presentation, during which the companies pitch their business ideas to Cox executives and a crowd of potential investors from around the world. Cox Enterprises was a founding sponsor of Techstars Atlanta and has remained the presenting sponsor since 2016.

Accomplishments

One of the Cox’s primary goals in our Techstars partnership is to elevate the city of Atlanta’s status as a tech hub and center for innovation. In just three classes, Techstars Atlanta has helped dramatically alter the startup landscape in Atlanta, creating a burgeoning network of successful entrepreneurs with growing businesses. More than 25 percent of the companies in the program relocated to Atlanta after completion. The first three classes have collectively raised over $40 million since completing the Techstars program. Our Techstars portfolio includes a healthy mix of enterprise and consumer-focused companies run by founders with diverse backgrounds in variety of industries. 

Accomplishments
Portfolio Overview

Team

David Payne's avatar
David Payne
Managing Director

David Payne is the managing director of Techstars Atlanta. Previously, he was cofounder and CEO of Scoutmob, one of the most successful consumer startups to launch from Atlanta, and Switchyards Downtown Club, one of the main startup hubs in Atlanta. David blogs regularly about startups at www.realfounderlessons.com and tweets at @davempayne.

Hannah Turner's avatar
Hannah Turner
Program Manager

Hannah Turner is the program manager for Techstars Atlanta. Before joining Techstars, she worked in the nonprofit sector for organizations like Fernbank Museum of Natural History and Zoo Atlanta. Her background includes event planning, operations, marketing and sales. She’s married to an entrepreneur and has two kids.

Mentor Spotlight

Derek Robinson

Derek Robinson

vice president of strategy & corporate development
Cox Media Group
Vickie Rodgers

Vickie Rodgers

vice president of sales
Cox Communications
Abhi Ghosh

Abhi Ghosh

Senior Product Manager
Cox Communications
Greg Hearn

Greg Hearn

senior product manager
Cox Automotive
Kim Shriver

Kim Shriver

Sr Manager, Strategy & Corporate Development
Cox Enterprises

Derek Robinson

vice president of strategy & corporate development
Cox Media Group

“The founders bring passion and energy to the table, and it’s nothing short of contagious. They remind all of us what it means to pursue your dreams with abandon, and they’re not afraid to run fast and break things. It’s the true spirit of entrepreneurship.”

Vickie Rodgers

vice president of sales
Cox Communications

“I enjoy the strategy and planning aspect of startups. Many of these entrepreneurs are strong in engineering or product development, but they may not have a sales and marketing background. Many times, I can help them take a great idea and better think through how they would develop their go-to-market strategy.”

Abhi Ghosh

Senior Product Manager
Cox Communications

“The #GiveFirst ethos of Techstars creates a perpetual cycle of value that ensures mentors singularly focus on the best interest of their founders, from finding the right relationships and opportunities, to recognizing and discussing their blind spots, and perhaps most importantly, providing a safe space in which to freely discuss challenges. Having this relationship is a great responsibility but also a tremendous honor.”

Greg Hearn

senior product manager
Cox Automotive

“The best part about being a mentor is seeing our founders succeed! Succeeding means that founders are growing as leaders and entrepreneurs, and then they’re more able to give back to the same community that helped them. Continuing that virtuous cycle is so important. Whether you’re in the board room, or in the trenches of a startup, knowing that you may have some small impact on the success of someone else’s vision is pretty awesome!”

Kim Shriver

Sr Manager, Strategy & Corporate Development
Cox Enterprises

“As a company that’s continually leaning into change, we’re proud to support a venture ecosystem where innovation is born and given support to scale. Our partnerships allow us front row access to the best and the brightest and empower entrepreneurship at every stage. Their grit and determination is nothing short of inspiring.” 

Current class mentors

Neil Paine

Cox Communications

Bundl

Billy Greineisen

Cox Enterprises

Coworks

Mark Lewis

Cox Enterprises

Coworks

Natalie Figuereo

Cox Communications

MaxReward

Greg Hearn

Cox Automotive

RentCheck

Vickie Rodgers

Cox Communications

RentCheck

Derek Robinson

Cox Media Group

StreetMetrics

Josh Sommer

Cox Communications

StreetMetrics

Eden Doniger

Cox Enterprises

Talented

Judy Train

Cox Communications

Talented