Dennis Zakas
Posted February 7, 2012
This is my initial Technology Thought Leadership post presented on SaportaReport. My unique perspective as a technology lawyer and a startup tech entrepreneur gives me insights as to what is happening in the local tech community. My objective is to go beyond the local press coverage, which focuses on recently completed angel and venture investments. Although these reports may be inspirational, they do not give the full picture of our developing and emerging technology companies and the entrepreneurs who make them great.
Each week I will highlight an innovative local tech company, and periodically I will interview a local technology legend, or someone who aspires to be. From these stories I will attempt to make more macro observations, draw conclusions and spot trends, sometimes in light of national news.
I’m also including a Startup Diary, profiling my two online startup businesses. The two companies are in different stages of development. I hope to enlighten the public – and anyone who has thought about starting his or her own business – about the process of starting a company.
TAG Top 40 Innovative Companies Competition
February 15 is the new deadline for the TAG Top 40 Innovative Companies Competition. Each year, the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) selects Top 40 companies based on specific criteria that include: scope, degree and financial impact of innovation, likelihood of success and promotion of Georgia’s technology industry nationally and internationally. To be eligible, a company must be based in Georgia and be primarily focused on the development and sale of technology. The Top 40 companies will be showcased at the 2012 Georgia Technology Summit (GTS), to be held on March 28 at the Cobb Galleria.
The selection committee will also identify the Top 10 Innovative Technology Companies. Top 10 companies will give a brief presentation to the 2012 Georgia Technology Summit’s attendees, which last year exceeded 1,000 in number. All Top 40 companies will participate in an exhibition at the Summit and receive numerous promotional opportunities through TAG.
In a local community crowded with competitions, this one stands out, because it focuses on the tech company’s innovations, rather than their worthiness for angel or venture capital. (Full disclosure: I founded and continue to chair this event. No wonder it is near and dear to my heart! To hear more about it, check out my interview on TagRadio.) If you are involved with an innovative Georgia-based technology company, please submit an application. It takes only a few minutes to complete.
For more information about TAG and the Georgia Technology Summit and to register for the event, visit http://www.tagonline.org/georgia-technology-summit.php.
