The closing days of each year are always my favorite time to reflect on the milestones of the preceding 12 months. 2024 stands out in my mind for a number of reasons.
From a personal standpoint, it has been a memorable year, as I celebrated the graduations of both of my (young adult) children; applauded my college graduate’s launch into the professional world; and took my high school graduate to college.
And, from a professional standpoint, it has truly been a milestone year for Tech Alpharetta. In addition to graduating two more startup companies from our tech startup incubator and working with the founders of our 54 startup company members at our incubator, Tech Alpharetta hosted:
9 Speaker Series programs for tech executives; 1 tech mixer; an ATLUnlocked event; 15 startup workshops; 8 board meetings; our 4th Annual Golf Classic, and our 3rd Annual CIO Speed Dating.
Our Tech Alpharetta Women’s Forum, which runs its impactful STEAM Mentoring Program for high school girls, was approved as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit and expanded to 38 mentors serving 38 girls at Innovation Academy public magnet high school here in Alpharetta.
Oh, and Tech Alpharetta relocated to brand new incubator space in Alpharetta in October. A corporate relocation is never an easy feat, but with the help of our incredible Tech Alpharetta staff, (who never once complained about the long hours they spent planning our move, relocating us, and setting up our new office space), our board, and the many others who pitched in to assist and/or provide moral support, we opened our new incubator, right on schedule, on October 14th.
The energy and vibe of our new space has been transformational ever since.
Our new and returning startup companies demonstrated their enthusiasm for our new incubator space by leasing out all of our new offices within two weeks of our opening and then buying out our dedicated hot desks. (But don’t worry, we have more hot desks and more space for new members!).
We officially celebrated our new space with city officials, our board, our startup members, our sponsors, and innovation ecosystem leaders and supporters, nearly 200 strong, at our December 5th Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Celebration. To everyone who celebrated this milestone with us, thank you. Your support and shared excitement truly meant the world to us.
But the story doesn’t end here. As we wind down a year quite unlike any other for Tech Alpharetta, we’re prepared, eager, and ready to take on the new challenges and opportunities presented by a brand new year, and to grow and serve this thriving tech ecosystem that we call home.
Happy holidays, everyone! We appreciate all of your support, and we wish you good health, great happiness, and continued innovation in 2025.
Best,
Karen
