The Venture Atlanta conference is the premier tech conference in the Southeast. Each year, thousands of startups and investors from across the Southeast and Atlanta’s tech ecosystem congregate at The Woodruff Arts Center and Atlanta Symphony Hall to pitch, network, meet, and connect. The experience gets even bigger and better year after year—check out the schedule to see how chocked full of events we are.

With so much going on at Venture Atlanta every year, we’d like to share some tips and insights to help attendees maximize their participation. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or investor, there are plenty of ways for you to maximize your time at Venture Atlanta. Here are a few tips.

Tips for Entrepreneurs at Venture Capital Events

We’ve discussed the benefits of attending a startup conference in our “Why You Should Attend a Venture Capital Conference” blog, including networking, mentorship, pitching, and talent acquisition.

Let’s assume that you’ve already secured your ticket for this year’s VA conference. How do you make the most out of this opportunity?

How to Maximize Networking at VC Events

Networking is one of the most important aspects of Venture Atlanta. Hundreds of investors from across the country come to the Venture Atlanta conference to see the most innovative startups coming out of the Southeast. Here’s how you can make the most of the networking opportunities at Venture Atlanta:

Pitching

One of the main components of the Venture Atlanta conference is pitching on stage (broken out into the annual pitch competition and Startup Showcase Live). Here are some expert tips on how to make the most out of your pitch:

  1. Prepare for Your Pitch AND the Followup Questions From Investors

The pitch is definitely important (here are our tips on pitching to investors), but that just gets you the date. What happens next is just as important. Whether participating in the judges' Q&A on the VA stage or meeting 1:1, be prepared to answer these questions from investors.

  1. Learn From Past Pitch Competition Winners

Hear from growth stage pitch competition winner Debbie Gordon of Cloud Range, early stage pitch competition winner Joshua Silver of Rainforest, and Seed Stage pitch competition winner Margo Jordan of Enrichly about how they prepped for their pitch. 

How Investors Can Make The Most Out of The Venture Atlanta Conference

If you’re an investor attending the Venture Atlanta conference, there are a couple of ways you can maximize your time at the conference.

Find High-Potential Companies

Most Fortune 500 companies began as a startup. The companies at Venture Atlanta could be the same—it’s your time to get in on the ground floor. To find high-potential startups at the Venture Atlanta conference, here’s what you can do:

Networking With Other Investors

At the Venture Atlanta conference, it’s not just about connecting with startups—it’s also a valuable opportunity to network with fellow investors. We host exclusive, investor-only events designed for you to build relationships, exchange insights, and collaborate with other investors. 

To make the most of these opportunities, be sure to check the event schedule ahead of time. You can see which investor-only sessions, panels, and networking mixers are planned, allowing you to strategically plan your day and ensure you don’t miss out on key chances to connect with peers.

Attend the Venture Atlanta Conference

As you can see, whether you’re an investor or a founder, the Venture Atlanta conference is the perfect place to put your best foot forward. It’s an opportunity to build connections, learn from industry leaders, and take your business or investment strategy to the next level. The relationships and insights gained at this event can be game-changing, whether you’re seeking funding, mentorship, or the next high-potential startup to add to your portfolio.
And if you haven’t registered yet, click here to register and secure your spot at Venture Atlanta. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this dynamic event that shapes the future of innovation and investment in the Southeast!

The fast rise of the Atlanta tech scene over the past decade as a leading hub for startups and innovation is no accident. Several factors make the city a powerhouse in the tech and startup ecosystem:

According to the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the city is home to over 35 corporate innovation centers, making it one of the fastest-growing cities for startups in the U.S. Atlanta's tech scene continues to thrive, with entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts flocking to the city.

As large corporations turn to Atlanta tech ventures for acquisition opportunities, more venture capitalists are taking interest. Some claim that there aren’t enough funding opportunities in Atlanta, others say there are plenty. While Georgia still trails behind the Valley, Boston, New York and others in total capital investment, our city is experiencing major growth and attracting new opportunities from all over the world.

Good ideas and strong business plans drive investment opportunities, regardless of location – and our alumni are solid proof, with over $7.7 billion in capital raised so far.

So, whether you’re looking to raise your next round or just get your foot in the door, we’re here to help you navigate the Atlanta startup ecosystem.

Major Events: Atlanta Tech Week and InnovATL

Atlanta is home to two must-attend events that drive the city's thriving tech scene and startup ecosystem:

Atlanta Tech Week

InnovATL (Atlanta Innovation Month)

Both events are integral to fostering collaboration, entrepreneurship, and growth within Atlanta's vibrant tech scene.

Venture Capital Opportunities in Atlanta

Atlanta’s venture capital scene has flourished in recent years, providing startups with access to critical funding opportunities. These firms, along with others, are helping to fuel Atlanta’s reputation as a hub for startup companies, enabling local entrepreneurs to scale their ventures both regionally and nationally.

 Atlanta-Friendly VC Funds:

Atlanta-Friendly Angel Investors: 

Atlanta Incubators and Accelerators

One of the key factors contributing to the city’s success in the startup world is the robust support system of incubators and accelerators in Atlanta. These programs are instrumental in guiding Atlanta startups from idea to execution, giving them the resources they need to thrive in the Atlanta tech scene.

Atlanta-Friendly Accelerators and Incubators

Startup Awards That Atlanta Companies Should Apply For

Awards are a great way for your startup to gain visibility and credibility in the community. It also helps to have backlinks and social media promotions from the major accounts that host these awards. Here are some of the top startup and tech awards Atlanta companies are eligible for.

How Venture Atlanta Supports the Startup Ecosystem

As the premier venture capital event in the Southeast, Venture Atlanta plays a critical role in supporting the growth of the city’s startups. Venture Atlanta connects local entrepreneurs with the funding, resources, talent, mentorship, and customers they need to succeed. 

Tech companies that have participated at Venture Atlanta have raised over $7.7 billion collectively, making it a driving force behind the city’s startup success stories. Stay updated on the latest announcements from Venture Atlanta to see how your startup can leverage this incredible perk of being in Atlanta. 

FAQ

What makes Atlanta a great place for tech startups?
Atlanta’s unique combination of a thriving entrepreneurial community, affordable living, and access to venture capital makes it an ideal place for startups to grow and succeed.

How can I connect with investors in Atlanta?
Attend key events like Venture Atlanta, Atlanta Tech Week, and InnovATL, or join incubators and accelerators like ATDC and Atlanta Tech Village for ongoing opportunities to meet investors.

What are the must-attend tech events in Atlanta?
Be sure to check out Atlanta Tech Week in June and InnovATL and Venture Atlanta in October to engage with the city's booming tech scene.Where can I find more resources for startups in Atlanta?
Atlanta offers a wide range of resources through incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces like Atlanta Tech Village, ATDC, and The Farm. Additionally, networking events and conferences provide opportunities to connect with key players in the Atlanta startup ecosystem.

Are you an entrepreneur looking to secure funding? Or, are you an investor searching for the next addition to your portfolio? There’s no better place to connect than at a venture capital conference!

Venture capital conferences are hubs for innovation, bringing the brightest minds and fastest-growing companies together to connect, learn, and grow. These conferences take place all over the world, giving entrepreneurs a unique chance to get their startups in front of potential investors and helping investors discover high-potential startups they may have never heard of!

In this blog, we'll go in-depth on the importance of attending a venture capital conference for both investors and entrepreneurs. Plus, we’ll give you some sneak previews of what the largest venture capital conference in the Southeast has to offer. 

What Are the Benefits of Attending a Venture Capital Conference for Entrepreneurs?

Here are a few frequently asked questions explaining the venture capital event benefits for entrepreneurs.

How can a venture capital conference help with funding?

Venture capital conferences give entrepreneurs the chance to get in front of investors that they might not otherwise be able to. And they can share their story with hundreds of investors at once versus having to spend time and money traveling from city to city.

With over $7.7B in capital raised and $17B in exits, Venture Atlanta has a successful track record of helping companies secure anything from seed funding to Series C to acquisitions! Venture Atlanta also hosts a seed-stage pitch competition called Startup Showcase Live, where seed-stage companies can compete to earn a $500,000 investment prize! Learn more about 2023 winner Enrichly.

Can attending a venture capital conference help in finding new customers?

Not only do venture capital conferences lead to new business-investor relationships, they can also create new business-customer relationships.

How?

Here’s how Acuity President Matthew May describes it:

“At least once a year, someone gets a client through Venture Atlanta that’s worth telling a story about…The best story in recent years is from a health IT company. One of the hospital groups in attendance watched this health IT company presentation and became their biggest client.”

Attending a venture capital conference can help get your startup's name out there, boosting visibility and credibility. Once your company is worth telling a story about, it can help get bigger corporations on board in the startup's earliest stages.

How do venture capital conferences assist in talent acquisition?

Entrepreneurs can also find new talent by showcasing their companies and meeting job seekers at venture capital conferences. Many founders use venture capital conferences as platforms like Inc. 500 or Best Places To Work to show off the perks of working for their company, helping increase applications for open positions.

Venture Atlanta attracts the top tech and business students from surrounding universities like Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia, Emory, SCAD, Kennesaw, and Morehouse College. If you’re looking to hire for entry-level roles, this is the kind of talent you want to get in front of!

What is the role of mentorship at a venture capital conference?

In addition, entrepreneurs can get mentorship opportunities from established founders and investors. Many venture capital conferences have an amazing alumni network that CEOs can get introduced to. Plus, many former companies who have found success at a startup funding conference come back to lend a helping hand to startups just getting off the ground. Entrepreneurship is hard! It helps to have someone to go to for support.

This year at Venture Atlanta we’re introducing exclusive CEO roundtable sessions where founders can get advice from successful CEOs who have gone before them.

What Are the Benefits of Attending a Venture Capital Conference for Investors?

For investors, attending a venture capital conference can be beneficial too. Here are a few venture capital event benefits for investors.

How can a venture capital conference help in finding promising startups?

Venture capital conferences are breeding grounds for innovative startups, perfect for investors itching to discover what’s going to take off next. 

For the Venture Atlanta conference this year, more startups applied to pitch than ever before, and only about ~15% get selected, so you’ll truly be seeing the best of the best across the entire Southeast! Additionally, each presenting company is vetted and coached by the most innovative portfolio companies, so investors can be confident that each pitch will be worth their attention.

How do venture capital conferences assist in networking with other investors?

At venture capital conferences, investors are encouraged to connect with other venture capitalists and angel investors to share insights and co-invest in opportunities! At Venture Atlanta, we offer several investor-only networking events including pickleball, the venture crawl, and the women in capital breakfast. 

What industry trends and insights can you get from venture capital conferences?

For investors, being in the know about which industries are about to scale is crucial. Luckily, venture capital conferences provide a prime opportunity to do just that. 

Venture capital conferences offer a front-row seat to the latest industry trends and developments. Investors gain early access to cutting-edge innovations and industry-redefining ideas. Whether it’s a breakthrough in AI, a new fintech solution, or the latest in sustainable technology, the learnings from the speakers, founders, and investors at these conferences can shape investment strategies and enhance the ability to identify high-potential opportunities.

What is the role of mentorship at a venture capital conference for investors?

Beyond the financial aspect, investors can mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs at venture capital conferences. Investors can share their experience and expertise, helping young companies navigate challenges and expand their businesses.

Can attending a venture capital conference help in building a strong investment portfolio?

Attending a venture capital conference is an excellent way to build a well-diversified portfolio. These events bring together a wide range of startups from various sectors and stages of development. Investors get the chance to explore new areas of interest and meet with founders first-hand, learning about their ventures and finding opportunities that fit with their current portfolios. Hear from 11-11 Ventures about how they found five of their portfolio companies at Venture Atlanta!

Still not convinced? If you’re a tech fund, check out this article on the top reasons to attend a venture capital conference, with questions answered by investors who’ve attended the Venture Atlanta conference.

Attend the Largest Venture Capital Conference in the Southeast

If you’re an investor or entrepreneur, the best way to reap the benefits of attending a venture capital conference is to go to Venture Atlanta!

Venture Atlanta is the biggest venture capital conference in the Southeast. From the Startup Showcase Live to keynote presentations and tons of events along the way, Venture Atlanta is the place for investors and entrepreneurs to meet, network, and build strong working relationships.

Register for Venture Atlanta today to secure your spot at this year’s event!

At Venture Atlanta, we are committed to supporting women entrepreneurs through and through. And, as we’ve seen, the impact of female entrepreneurship in the United States has flourished.

The Current Landscape for Women’s Business Opportunities

39.1% of all businesses in the United States are owned by women, generating $2.7 trillion in annual revenue. Compared to their male counterparts, female entrepreneurs earn 10% more revenue in the first five years of running their business.

Despite their impact on economic growth, U.S. startups with all-women teams only receive 1.9% of the $238.3 billion in venture capital allocated. And, women make up only 11% of investing partners at VC firms in the United States. 
Due to this funding gap for women, we can create connections, boost female tech founders, and start supporting women entrepreneurs further than ever before.

Venture Atlanta is committed to encouraging the flow of capital to talented women founders. We want more women founders to apply for funding and more female-led startups to get the spotlight they deserve.

Venture Atlanta Doesn’t Just Talk the Talk—We Walk the Walk

There is still a funding gap for women, and Venture Atlanta is helping to level the playing field while supporting women entrepreneurs. Here’s how we’re doing it: 

Hosting Competitions, Networking Events, and Speaking Engagements for Female Founders and Investors

First Pitch Friday

First Pitch Friday is an event that provides a platform for female founders and student founders to gain live pitch experience and feedback from leading venture capital investors across the Southeast.

The top 10 pitches are selected to show their stuff at the prestigious Metro Atlanta Chamber and have the chance to secure their spot at Venture Atlanta, pitching in front of thousands of VCs and other founders. Not only that but if you’re selected, you’ll be able to build invaluable relationships and receive critical feedback that will catapult your startups to new heights.

Women in Capital Breakfast

For several years, day two of our conference has kicked off with the Women in Capital Breakfast—hosted by Kim Seals, The JumpFund, Christy Brown, and Build in SE and sponsored by Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP. We’re proud to share that since its inception, this event has grown year after year!

Show Her the Money

In partnership with Female Founders in Innovation, we hosted a special screening of “Show Her the Money.” This documentary follows four female entrepreneurs as they endure uphill battles to turn their ideas into reality. In addition to the screening, we hosted a panel featuring two female founders and VA alumni (Robin Gregg of Roadsync and Erica Tuggle of Cookonnect) and two female investors (Naseem Sayani of Emmeline Ventures and Kim Seals of The JumpFund and Venture Atlanta board member)

Islandpreneur

Venture Atlanta CEO Allyson Eman was a keynote speaker at the 2024 Islandprenuer Fest.

This event aims to empower 40 women entrepreneurs with the tools and strategies they need to scale their business by:

Thriving in Atlanta's Startup Ecosystem: State of Resources for Women

Allyson Eman also joined a panel of Atlanta’ leading media, investment, and startup experts for a webinar discussing the exciting opportunities for women founders in Atlanta’s startup ecosystem.

This webinar discussed:


She was joined by:

Finding Funding Panel

In March, Allyson Eman represented Venture Atlanta by providing resources and inspiration to a group of soon-to-be women entrepreneurs at The University of Georgia’s Delta Innovation Hub.  

She was joined by:

Leveling Up Your Leadership

Allyson was also a panelist at the Leveling Up Your Leadership event in April, a women’s panel discussion and networking event all about how you can thrive at the top of your game and not just be successful—but enjoy your success.

Allyson was joined by these incredible panelists at this event:

Female Founders in Innovation Dinners

The Female Founders in Innovation Dinner was added to the Venture Atlanta conference schedule two years ago. This event gives female founders the opportunity to connect and network, with guided discussions lead by VA alum Inclusivv. It’s one of the most popular events in the Venture Atlanta schedule and has now grown to close to 200 attendees!

Leveraging the Expertise and Networks of Venture Atlanta’s Female Board Members

The women on Venture Atlanta’s Board of Directors bring impressive expertise, diversity, credentials, and a ton of experience supporting women entrepreneurs. Here are a few of our renowned female board members:

Featuring Successful Women Entrepreneurs, Women in Tech, and Women Leaders as Keynote Speakers

Venture Atlanta offers investors more connections to women founders than any other venture event. It’s one of the largest venture conferences in the country, with over 1,500 annual attendees, 450 funds, $7.7B in capital raised, and $17B in successful exits. 

We put the spotlight on successful women founders, not just through women entrepreneurs networking but also through sharing learnings and opportunities with our keynote speakers. Together, we’re supporting women entrepreneurs on stage every chance we get. 

Past keynote speakers and pitch competition judges have included:

Connect With Other Women Entrepreneurs at Venture Atlanta 

Here are what past female entrepreneurs have said about attending Venture Atlanta:

“Made lots of connections and witnessed many moments of inspiration and celebration at Venture Atlanta! As I reflect a bit on my experience, the thing that stands out most is the women. We all know…. Venture capital and the tech world is traditionally men, white men at that. But I felt the power of women everywhere.

“How do female founders get funded? Venture Atlanta Conference! What an experience! 24 meetings and am already following up with quite a few funds.” 

“While I was waiting in line for the restroom at the conference, a female VC approached me and said, “I love that there is a line at the women’s restroom for Venture Atlanta.” In the past, women at the conference were fewer and far between. The fact that there was a line in 2023 was a great symbol for the future.”

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs at Venture Atlanta

One of our priorities at Venture Atlanta is to provide more opportunities, networking, and partnerships to support women tech founders to close the funding disparity gap. Let’s continue this incredible momentum.

If you’re a female founder, we encourage you to attend Venture Atlanta, and you’ll see first-hand the strong community of women entrepreneurs we’ve gathered over the years. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook to stay up-to-date on announcements!
If you’re an organization in the Southeast that supports female founders and want to be involved with VA, please reach out! We’d love to get in touch and discuss partnership options.

If you’re a newly minted entrepreneur who’s ready to raise capital, you probably have a long list of questions that center around one thing: how to get seed funding. 

Navigating the world of venture capital can be daunting—especially for first-time founders. The good news is startup funding has increased significantly over the last decade. According to Crunchbase, fewer than 3,200 companies received seed funding from 2006 through 2010. Today, that number is closer to 23,000, and seed funding reached $7 billion in 2023.

That still begs the question, how do you get seed funding? Where do you start? Are there any shortcuts? 

In this blog, we’ll break down the basics of raising seed capital and how attending a conference like Venture Atlanta can be a boon for seed funding opportunities.

What Is Seed Capital?

In simplest terms, seed capital is money raised for early-stage (or seed-stage) startups. 

Seed funding is important because it specifically covers initial startup costs and is designed to get the business up and running. According to BIP Ventures, a good rule of thumb to remember when raising is that your seed round should provide 12-18 months of cash to run and grow your startup. The average seed round in the first quarter of 2023 was $3.6 million.

Seed capital rounds often follow pre-seed rounds and are the precursor to Series A. In addition to funding startup costs, seed capital can also help entrepreneurs attract more funding opportunities later on.

Who Invests in Seed Stage Companies?

Seed capital is typically raised in smaller amounts, often from friends, family, or acquaintances. However, it can come from venture capitalists and angel investors as well. Here’s a look at some of the most common seed capital sources:

Venture Capitalists

Certain Venture Capitalists (VCs) will provide seed funding for startups but only if they see significant growth opportunities. VCs tend to be more risk averse than, say, angel investors, and therefore tend to be more discerning with seed capital. 

Angel Investors

Angel investors are individuals who invest in startups using their own funds in exchange for equity. They can be anyone from privately wealthy people to corporate investors who provide capital, and often mentorship, to new entrepreneurs.  

These investors earned their name as the figurative angels of the investment world because they often fund unproven (and therefore riskier) ventures. They are a “saving grace” for early-stage entrepreneurs who can’t secure more traditional venture capital or bank loans. 

Friends, Family, and Acquaintances

When raising seed funding, many entrepreneurs turn to friends, family, and acquaintances who know them, trust them, and believe in their vision. There are often fewer hoops to jump through when raising capital from friends and family than traditional funding avenues, making it faster and easier for startups to get seed funding. 

How to Get Seed Funding

Here are three key strategies to help you secure seed funding.

1. Perfect Your Pitch

Your pitch is the first impression you'll make on potential investors. You’ve got to get it right. Here are some tips to help you perfect your pitch:

2. Build a Strong Network

Building relationships with the right people can open doors and create opportunities that might not be available otherwise. Here are some ways to build a strong network:

3. Attend a Venture Capital Conference

There is no better place for seed-stage companies to connect than at conferences like Venture Atlanta, the largest Venture Capital conference in the Southeast. Each year, hundreds of founders and investors from across the country come together to meet, connect, and build relationships with each other.

If you’re ready to get on stage at Venture Atlanta, apply to pitch here. Looking to network with investors? Register to attend here.

The State of Pre-Seed & Seed Stage Funding in Atlanta

Venture Atlanta recently kicked off the 2024 conference season by hosting the State of Startup Investing in Atlanta event at Invesco HQ. Here are some of the insights gathered from our expert panelists:

Opportunities for Seed Stage Companies at Venture Atlanta

One of the main opportunities Venture Atlanta provides for seed-stage companies is Startup Showcase Live!

This pitch competition within the Venture Atlanta conference is exclusively for pre-seed and seed-stage companies. The top 10 applicants get to pitch on stage to Venture Atlanta’s audience of 1500+ investors, founders, corporations, and tech leaders. The top 4 then advance to Day 2 of the conference where they get to engage with a live Q&A with a panel of judges comprised of partner-level investors from firms across the country. This, in itself, is a great opportunity to gain valuable exposure. These judges then determine the overall winner who will earn a $500K investment prize!

Case Study: Enrichly’s Success at Venture Atlanta

We recently talked to Margo Jordan of Enrichly about her experience winning the Venture Atlanta 2023 Startup Showcase Live pitch competition. Here’s a summary of her journey and how winning the seed-stage pitch competition has impacted Enrichly.

From Concept to Digital Pivot

Enrichly’s inception was rooted in Margo Jordan’s personal experiences and her desire to address low self-esteem among youth. Initially launched as "Chicks with Class," a brick-and-mortar center in 2017, the company pivoted to a digital platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, evolving into Enrichly. This pivot allowed them to expand their reach and impact significantly.

Key Learnings and Community Support

Margo emphasizes trusting one's instincts and the importance of confidence and preparedness. The startup community, particularly Google for Startups and Goodie Nation, played a crucial role in Enrichly’s growth. Winning the pitch at Venture Atlanta not only provided funding but also expanded their network and visibility.

Impact and Future Plans

Winning the pitch competition allowed Enrichly to hire full-time staff, launch marketing campaigns, and onboard a new head of engineering. The investment also facilitated collaboration with Catalyst by Wellstar and opened doors in new markets like Florida. Looking ahead, Enrichly plans to scale its solution across more schools, explore AI integration, and establish itself as a premier platform for self-esteem development.

Here’s what Margo had to say herself:

“I applied to pitch at Venture Atlanta Conference last year and had no idea that the decision to take 30 minutes to complete the application would lead to me winning $500,000 to help me scale my company Enrichly. The relationships that I gained from attending are priceless, the experience was invaluable. This was by far one of the best decisions that I could've made as a founder.”

How to Get Seed Stage Funding: Attend Venture Atlanta

If you’re a seed-stage company looking to get funding for your startup, apply to Venture Atlanta. The deadline to apply for Venture Atlanta 2024 is 8/2.

FAQs

How can startups secure seed funding?

Our biggest recommendations for startups looking to secure seed funding are to 

  1. Perfect your pitch
  2. Build a strong network
  3. Attend a Venture Capital conference


If you’re securing funding by pitching to investors, remember to be very clear on the problem your business solves, your ideal customer profile (ICP), your financial models, differentiators, growth strategy, and business model.

What are the opportunities for seed-stage companies at Venture Atlanta?

There are tons of opportunities for seed-stage companies at Venture Atlanta.

Each year we hold the Startup Showcase Live, a pitch competition where pre-seed and seed stage companies can show off their business to hundreds of potential investors and compete to earn a $500K investment.

Beyond that, there are countless events and opportunities for seed-stage companies during the week of Venture Atlanta and throughout the year. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social to stay up-to-date on all of the opportunities! 

How does Startup Showcase Live work?

The window to apply to pitch at Venture Atlanta 2024 is May 9th through August 2nd. The top ~40 pre-seed and seed stage companies will be selected to participate in Venture Atlanta. We will hold a event in September that is exclusively for these companies to network with the Venture Atlanta board, committee members, and sponsors (many of whom are top investors!). At this event, we will reveal the top 10 companies that have been selected to pitch on stage at the Venture Atlanta conference. These companies will pitch on Day 1, and an audience vote will help determine who advances. The top 4 companies will then pitch on Day 2 to a panel of investor judges and then participate in a live Q&A. From there, the winner of Startup Showcase Live will be announced and awarded a $500K investment prize from the Startup Showcase Live Syndicate (Catalyst by Wellstar, Front Porch Ventures, Knoll Ventures, Las Olas Venture Capital, and TiE Atlanta Angels).

Who are the winners of the last seed stage pitch competitions?

Enrichly was the last company to win the seed stage pitch competition at Venture Atlanta 2023. Founded by Margo Jordan, this visionary k-12 education technology company is at the forefront of revolutionizing youth mental health and resilience in business. They’re committed to nurturing young minds and fostering emotional growth, placing them among the most influential players in educational technology. 
You can read more about Margo Jordan’s journey from founding Enrichly to winning the Venture Atlanta seed stage pitch competition here.

To kick off the conference season, Venture Atlanta hosted an insightful Atlanta venture capital event called "State of Startup Investing in Atlanta." This event brought together industry leaders, venture capitalists, and startup founders to discuss the current landscape and prospects of startup investing in the region.

Thanks again to Invesco, the title sponsor of Venture Atlanta, for sponsoring such a wonderful event! Not only did they offer their beautiful headquarters for the event, but they also provided OrionStar robots (which you’ll see more of at VA) and a wonderful opening remark from Marty Flanagan, Chairman Emeritus at Invesco.

Event Overview

We kicked off with a series of introductions from notable figures, including 

Panel Discussions

The event featured two main panel discussions, each focusing on different stages of startup investing.

Pre-Seed and Seed Stage Panel

Moderated by Maija Ehlinger from Hypepotamus, the pre-seed and seed stage panel included 

Here are some key takeaways from the panel:

The Current State of Pre-Seed & Seed Stage Investing in Atlanta

Deploying Capital: Does Atlanta Have Enough Startups?

Investors are not having trouble finding great startups in Atlanta, but they are thinking about how they can improve Atlanta’s startup ecosystem to benefit surrounding areas. Here is what Sydney Holness had to say:

“It used to be over half of the portfolio at Collab Capital consisted of Atlanta-based startups. Now, we’re focused particularly on underserved markets. We’re continually asking ourselves “Where is the VC talent?”, “How do we nurture it?”, “How do we partner with other organizations to find that talent pool?”, and “How do we get to that critical mass of diverse investors in the space?”

Sydney Holness, Investment Associate at Collab Capital

What Do We Need to Do to Grow Atlanta Venture Capital?

For Scott Lopano, deploying more exits is the key to growing the venture capital ecosystem in Atlanta. 

“If we show that more successful exits are possible here, more startups will be started and more big checks will be written by investors who know investing in Atlanta startups holds value.”

Scott Lopano, Partner at Tech Square Ventures

Sydney Holness’s idea is a little different. Her focus is on higher education. She wants to share learning and insights with students so their startup ideas can reflect the market.

Dr. Lopez’s ideas are similar to those of the other two panelists. He knows there is great talent in Georgia and the Atlanta area. The key is nurturing, mentoring, and keeping them in Atlanta. In addition, he says that we simply need more people to write checks. 

“Venture capital is not a spectator sport. Investing is the only way to make our environment and city more vibrant.”

Dr. Paul Lopez, Board Chair of TiE Atlanta

Are Investors Solely Focused on B2B at the Moment?

For the most part, yes. It is currently harder to invest on the consumer side than the business side. 

The bright side? In 2017, it would’ve been even harder to invest in B2C. However, if more investors can see successful exits of B2B companies, they will invest more.

The Current State of Series A Startup Investing and Beyond

The second panel, moderated by Mirtha Donastorg from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution featured: 

Here are some highlights from the panel:

Are There Any Series A VC Funds in Atlanta?

Is there a true series A VC fund in Atlanta? No.

But, we’ve come a long way.

In previous years, software companies had limited options and much less capital from the outside. Fast forward to now, there have been 50+ finds between the full spectrum and a lot more capital coming in. The ecosystem is more mature.

“People make the fact that there isn’t a true Series A VC fund in Atlanta sound negative. But, when we tell these series A startups to go find funding in a bigger market, it doesn’t work out all the time because those funds aren’t as helpful. In Atlanta, we are partners for loyal companies that are fair.”

Elizabeth Stephens, Principal at Noro-Moseley Partners

Peter Franconi brings a different perspective. He says there are obviously more conservative investors in Atlanta over New York City or San Francisco. But, he’d much rather have a strong sustainable ecosystem than a super flashy one.

Eileen Lee agreed that it feels like they have made a lot of progress. She’s getting more people reaching out to her from other cities because they’re seeing deal flow being shared across the region.

The Future of Series A Startup Investing

An interesting statistic that came out of the panel was that to become a top-five tech hub in the nation, Atlanta needs to create 2,000 startups per year.

Atlanta is currently only doing 200 per year.

The big players like San Francisco, New York, Boston, etc. all have 2,500 or more startups created per year. 

The only way entrepreneurs will feel comfortable leaving their jobs and creating their own startups is by showing people that successful startups can be created and exited in Atlanta.

Are Series A Startups Leaving Atlanta?

The experts say that series A startups aren’t leaving, but they are going back to being in person and having an HQ. Series A startups don’t really leave the city they started in because once you get to a certain size, that city becomes your ecosystem and you can build a business that scales.

“Before COVID, there was a higher likelihood of series A startups leaving. Now you have enough roots in a specific market to make it worthwhile to stay. Plus, the emergence of remote work has made it much more flexible. You can have a hub, then as you scale you can have your CFO, CRO, etc. in different locations across the country.”

Peter Franconi, Principal at Fulcrum Equity Partners

What’s Next for Venture Capital in Atlanta?

What’s next? Venture Atlanta of course! Remember to register for tickets to the largest venture capital conference in the Southeast. If you’re a founder looking to pitch your company in the Atlanta venture capital ecosystem, you can also apply here.

Thanks again to Invesco for sponsoring such a wonderful event!

Atlanta Venture Capital FAQs

What Are the Current Trends in Pre-seed and Seed-Stage Investing?

Here are some key takeaways from the "State of Startup Investing in Atlanta" that encapsulate the current trends in pre-seed and seed-stage investing:

How Has the Investment Landscape in Atlanta Evolved?

In short, the investment landscape in Atlanta has matured.

What Industries or Sectors Are Attracting Significant Investment in Atlanta?

Here are a few industries that the panelists discussed in the “State of Startup Investing In Atlanta” that are gaining traction.

How Does Atlanta Compare to Other Tech Hubs Like Silicon Valley in Terms of Investment Opportunities?

According to the panel at the “State of Startup Investing In Atlanta” event, Atlanta needs to create 2,000 startups a year to become a top 5 tech hub in the nation. This is the number it will take to start attracting more investors. Currently, Atlanta is only creating around 200 startups per year. In addition, Atlanta doesn’t have as many investment opportunities in comparison to the big checks you can get from SF, Boston, or NYC. Atlanta is a good ecosystem to get funding from anywhere between 500K and 1 million dollars.

VA 2023 Spotlight: Growth Stage Pitch Competition Winner Cloud Range

Cloud Range is a comprehensive and customizable cyber readiness solution, monikered as The Leading Cyber Range-as-a-Service Platform. As Founder and CEO Debbie Gordon describes, it’s “the flight simulator for cyber attacks.” The B2B solution ensures cybersecurity teams are ready for cyber attacks at any time, offering integrated toolsets, thousands of scenarios, and customized learning plans. Due to the excitement surrounding their company, Gordon and her team took their business to Venture Atlanta in 2023 and won the Growth Stage pitch competition.

We got the opportunity to talk with Gordon and learn more about her history, the challenges she’s overcome, and of course, her story with Venture Atlanta.

The Cloud Range Journey

What was the moment or idea that sparked the idea for Cloud Range?

As someone who started my career in the technical education space, I saw that there was a grave talent shortage in cyber security. And, after selling my previous company in 2016, I knew the time was right in 2018 to build another company.

Companies were struggling to find experienced cyber practitioners, and at the same time, there were thousands of people with traditional cyber training and certifications, but simply had no experience. The solution was to add simulation technology to standard cybersecurity training to ensure that cyber practitioners have continued and dynamic skills when responding to the changing threat landscape.  We needed to do this in a way that was useful and consumable by customers, so the concept of our “cyber range-as-a-service"  was born.

What were the biggest challenges in developing Cloud Range and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge for us was that the concept didn’t exist before. Creating and pioneering a whole new category is a big endeavor.

Because of that, we had to evangelize the concept and the solution. It’s not like we were making another version of or a better mousetrap. We were truly creating a whole new product and category.

At the same time, that challenge became an opportunity, because more people listen when you create a new category. People want to know what your new thing is and why it’s important, so we had a lot of opportunities to communicate the value of Cloud Range.

The second challenge was building our team. In any startup, you’re not going to be at a critical mass of talent from the start. Like most startups, for a few years, we had a lot of “single points of failure" because only one person was an expert in each role. That creates a lot of risk when you are relying solely on one person for each area of operations.

However, we worked on building critical mass and getting the right people in the right seats, which led us to grow into the incredible team we have today.

What key learnings have you experienced throughout this journey as an entrepreneur?

1. Do what you do best

The number one thing I’ve learned is to do what you do best and leave the rest for others—who are also doing what they do best. You don’t need to be good at everything. Be very acutely aware of what you’re doing. Understand what value that adds to your organization and what kind of energy it brings and takes away from you.

2. Business is never going to be the same

Essentially, your business will never be the same five years after you start it, no matter what you think.

Because of that, you have to be flexible and always keep an open mind to adapt based on what you learn from the market, your customers, and your employees.

Pairing Cloud Range & Venture Atlanta

How did you first hear about Venture Atlanta?

I heard about Venture Atlanta around three years ago while working with a consultant to develop a fundraising plan. He recommended Venture Atlanta to me and I’ve attended three times since!

How did you prepare for your pitch?

The short answer is when you know your stuff, it’s easy to remember. Three minutes is much easier than 20 minutes so you don’t have to remember as much. But, I do it by segmenting things off in my brain. Just think of one concept at a time and remembering what you have to say next will come easier.

Plus, with the three-minute pitch compared to the 20-minute pitch, it is harder to pare down. Once you get it right, however, you’re essentially explaining only the important things. Then, people can dive deeper by asking questions later.

What impact did winning the pitch competition for the growth stage have on Cloud Range?

Besides getting the attention of investors, the impact it had on me was just that a lot of young women came up to me afterward and said they were happy to see a woman on that stage representing both entrepreneurs and the cybersecurity industry.

My responsibility as an entrepreneur is to be a role model. I don’t try to talk about being a female entrepreneur. I just do it. It felt good to be a role model. It tells me that I did my job.

And it is clear that there are more women representing. While I was waiting in line for the restroom at the conference, a female VC approached me and said, “I love that there is a line at the women’s restroom for Venture Atlanta.” In the past, women at the conference were few and far between. The fact that there was a line in 2023 was very representative of where we are and where we have come.

What other parts of Venture Atlanta did you find most valuable?

I had a lot of meetings set up beforehand.  The ability to connect with people before the conference and then meet up in person came in handy. Plus, the technology got a bit better this year, and I heard a lot of people saying that the app was working well.

What are your biggest pieces of advice for entrepreneurs?

  1. Talk to as many other entrepreneurs as you can. Within that, learn from other people's experiences and mistakes.
  1. Ask for help even when you don't think you need it. Tell people what you're doing and ask them to poke holes in it. This will help you continue innovating and listening.
  1. Just because you think your idea is good, that doesn't mean people will part with their money for it. Make sure there is product market fit and value that leads to a person or a business investing in what you’ve developed.
  1. If you build it, they will not necessarily come. Before you invest a lot of money in your business, do research, focus groups, and test the market. You may think you have a great idea, but product market fit is key.

Check out Venture Atlanta for Yourself

Want to be Venture Atlanta’s next pitch competition winner? Interested in seeing the Southeast’s up-and-coming tech companies? Looking to invest yourself? Join us at Venture Atlanta! Venture Atlanta is the Southeast’s largest venture capital conference and is held each year at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more about pitching at Venture Atlanta, click here. If you want to explore what our conference has to offer for investors, entrepreneurs, and beyond, head over to our event overview page. Can’t wait to see you there!

Pitching to investors is a daunting task. 

Whether meeting 1:1 in a conference room or presenting on stage in a pitch competition, the experience can certainly be nerve-wracking. But as difficult as it is, it’s a necessary part of the fundraising process. And the better at it that you become, the less daunting (and more rewarding!) it will be.

So, how can you convince a group of people that your business is amazing enough to invest their most valuable resources (time and money) into it? We brought in the experts to share their tips and words of encouragement. 

In this blog, you’ll hear from several of the investors on the Venture Atlanta Board of Directors as they share their advice on  how to pitch to investors, the dos and don’ts that you should consider, and the lessons that can be taken from past pitches they’ve heard.

How to Pitch to Investors

Everything You Need to Include In a Venture Captial Pitch

Fill out this worksheet to help you structure a compelling venture capital pitch to potential investors. As you work through the sections, ensure each part of your pitch is clear, concise, and persuasive. Remember, the goal to make a strong case for your venture while engaging your audience effectively.

What Should Be Included in a Venture Capital Pitch?

If you’re not even sure where to start with your venture capital pitch, here are the most important aspects to address:

  • The specific problem your company solves
  • The ideal customer profile
  • The solution to said problem
  • Why that solution is special
  • Team member roles, responsibilities, and how they complement each other
  • Your financial model with a clear path to growth (including gross and EBITDA margins)
  • A detailed and executable growth strategy
  • Clearly defined proof points
  • Offering differentiators (what separates you from everyone else?)
  • Your business model (how you make money)
  • How much money you need from the investors and why *have a clear ask*

Depending on the pitch format, you may not have time to touch on all of these. So, rank each of them in order of priority. Spend time with the key ones that truly differentiate your business and quickly highlight the others.

Again, you don’t want to pack too much into your allotted time frame. If you hit the big points and mention the others, you’ll be able to dive deeper at a follow-up meeting.

Here’s board member Peter Franconi, with his thoughts on what you need for a pitch:

"At a minimum, you need a simple statement: I help [ideal customer profile] solve [specific problem] and generate [concrete ROI]. If there’s more time, then you can go into the traction (finances or KPIs) and why your team is the right one to solve the problem and scale."

Peter Franconi, Principal at Fulcrum Equity Partners

How Should You Prepare a Venture Capital Pitch Deck?

Here are some things to keep in mind when creating your pitch deck so it supplements your pitch rather than detracts from it.

The Deck Is Your Aid - Not Your Entire Presentation

Your deck should be visually appealing, engaging, consumable, and legible. You will be speaking to it while it’s being shown, so the slides don’t need to tell the entire story by themselves.

Keep It Short

Remember: business pitches are fast.

The average attention span during a presentation is only 10-15 minutes. And in pitch competitions, you often have even less time than this. 

With this in mind, keep your deck around 10 slides long. Obviously, there will be some information missing because of the length. THAT IS OK. The goal of the pitch is to get the investors intrigued enough to want a second date. You can delve into more details then. And, if they want more information or clarification on something, they’ll ask for it!

Have as Few Words as Possible

Shortening the number of slides does not mean then cramming those slides with too much information. That defeats the purpose. You want as few words as possible in your presentation. According to Decktopus, no more than ¼ of your slide should be text.

"Pitch decks for presenting are different than pitch decks for sending. They should be consumable. You don't want the audience trying to read slides while they are supposed to be listening to you!"

Jackie DiMonte- General Partner, Grid Capital

What Are Some Tips for Presenting a Venture Capital Pitch?

The biggest tips for presenting that our board members gave are pretty easy to accomplish. They are the same expectations people usually have in any other type of professional setting, such as:

Here’s one last piece of presentation advice from board member Ryan Whittemore:

"If your mom can't understand it, it's too complicated. Simplify to make sure people follow what it is you do."

Ryan Whittemore, Chief Investment Officer, Florida Funders

What Has Made the Best Business Pitches You’ve Seen in the Past So Good?

Here are a few of the takeaways from our board members about what makes a good presentation great:

  1. The passion and authenticity of the presenter
  2. Knowledge of numbers and business drivers
  3. Having a lot of energy
  4. Practice
  5. Clear delivery in a smooth but upbeat manner

Here are some insights from board member Kim Seals about what separated a great pitch from a good one in her mind:

"The passion and authenticity of the presenter came through and made us want to learn more about the company."

Kim Seals, General Partner, The JumpFund

What Are Some Tips for Venture Capital Pitch Etiquette Before and After the Presentation?

In terms of pitch etiquette, there are a few things you should do.

Before the Pitch

After the Pitch

Here are board member Elizabeth Stephens's words of wisdom for sticking to etiquette:

"Be friendly and network, you never know where it might lead."

Elizabeth Stephens. Vice President, Noro-Moseley Partners

What Are the Biggest Dos and Don’ts of Business Pitches?

As a recap, here are the biggest dos and don'ts we compiled from our board members:

  • Know what you’re looking for in the relationship (money, guidance, introductions, industry expertise, etc) 
  • Be humble but confident 
  • Ask questions about the firm: how do they work with their portfolio? What does an ideal outcome look like? 
  • Know your numbers (Rev, EBITDA, KPIs, etc.) 
  • Ask for honest feedback and advice and check for understanding along the way
  • Keep to the highlights of your pitch
  • Have something early in your story that grabs the listener's attention
  • Tell investors enough to get excited about scheduling a follow-up conversation
  • Know your audience and know what stage and types of companies they invest in
  • Be a great storyteller about your business
  • Know your unit economics
  • Give a typical use case of your solution
  • Come alone (not with your whole team) with energy and enthusiasm
  • Paint a picture of how and why your company gets big
  • Put too many words in the deck
  • Pack your presentation with too many slides
  • Be too overzealous with financial models
  • Claim you don’t have any competition
  • Assume investors know anything about your industry
  • Show up unprepared or without researching the firm or the people on the call 
  • Show up without a specific ask
  • Spend time on competition in the short version of the pitch, except if it’s fundamental to the problem/solution statement. 
  • Include the dreaded feature comparison matrix
  • Be gimmicky
  • Read from cue cards or off the screen verbatim
  • Try to be funny if you aren't funny
  • Ask questions in an auditorium, like “How’s everybody doing today?”
  • Try to tell everything about your company in 3-5 minutes
  • Come unprepared
  • Expect the conversation to stay high-level 
  • Bring your whole team to the first meeting
  • Talk about an exit

Most importantly, for your overall expectations of your venture pitch, here is what board member Mike Dowdle had to say:

"Don’t expect a yes. Do expect lots of no’s. But remember, you only need one yes."

Mike Dowdle, Founding Partner of Circadian Ventures

Pitching to Investors at Venture Atlanta

Venture Atlanta is one of the nation’s largest venture capital conferences. We support the Southeast’s most promising tech companies by connecting them to the capital, talent, mentorship, partnerships, and customers that they need in order to be successful.

Pitching at Venture Atlanta is a highly sought-after experience. Our alumni companies have collectively raised $7.7B in capital and achieved $17B in successful exits. One of the best parts of the Venture Atlanta pitch process is that we have a committee of investors that provides coaching prior to the pitch. This feedback is invaluable! Then the companies get to pitch on stage to our 1500+ attendees. Talk about exposure! Applications to pitch at Venture Atlanta 2024 will open in May. Request to be added to our newsletter so that you can stay in-the-know about important, upcoming dates. 

If you’re not ready to pitch this year, we still encourage you to attend the conference. You can learn a lot from watching other companies pitch and hearing the investor Q&A. Additionally, the networking opportunities at Venture Atlanta are unparalleled - even if you’re not on stage. Here are our tips to get the most out of the Venture Atlanta conference.

One piece of final advice we want to share is from board member Emery Waddell:

"Be positive, be bright, be prepared. Be confident but not arrogant. Act as if the time of both sides is valuable (not too supplicating, not too dismissive). Remember that metrics matter but stories ultimately make the difference."

Emery Waddell, Principal, Vocap Partners

We can’t wait to hear your story at Venture Atlanta 2024!

Download our venture capital pitch guide here!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make a great Venture Capital pitch deck?

To make a great Venture Capital pitch deck, there are a few things you need to include:

  1. The specific problem your company solves
  2. The ideal customer profile for your company
  3. The solution to said problem 
  4. An explanation of why your solution is special
  5. A detailed and executable growth strategy
  6. An answer to what makes your team different 

Will a deck help you get a meeting with a VC?

No, having a deck will not necessarily help you get a meeting with a VC. However, having a clear and concise story, a memorable pitch, and establishing a relationship with a VC can help you get follow-up meetings.

How long does a Venture Capital pitch last?

It’s hard to say the exact amount of time a VC pitch lasts, but what you should remember is that people don’t want to read. Remember to keep your pitch deck around 10 slides long and with minimal text. However long it takes you to tell your story and convey the most important information about your business is how long the VC pitch should last.

What is the main purpose of developing a business pitch?

The main purpose of a business pitch is to get investors to buy into your company's vision. If you convince investors that you have a vision for your company, they may be willing to invest their resources into helping you achieve your goal.

How do you pitch an idea to a company?

Here are some helpful tips for pitching a business idea to a company:

Joshua Silver is the CEO and Founder of Rainforest, a payments-as-a-service platform (PaaS) that helps software companies build and optimize embedded financial services. Unlike most financial service companies, Rainforest’s technology is built for software platform payments. With this innovative approach to payment solutions and the future of Fintech in mind, Silver brought his company to the Southeast’s largest venture capital conference, where Rainforest became the 2023 Venture Atlanta Early-Stage pitch competition winner.

In a recent interview, we had the opportunity to sit down with Silver to delve into his entrepreneurial journey and his experiences with Venture Atlanta. Read more from our conversation below.

The Entrepreneurial Journey Behind Rainforest

Tell us about the moment or experience that sparked the idea for Rainforest.

After exiting my previous startup, Patientco, a patient financial engagement company, I spent several years running a consulting firm where I helped software companies embed payments and other financial services into their products. 

Regardless of a software company’s industry – be it retail, construction, logistics,  non-profit management or any other vertical – payments is a universal language.  What I noticed was that software platforms are looking for the same critical things: a payment provider who has modern, robust technology, great developer experience, exceptional customer service, fair commercial terms, and full portability of merchant data. These software companies are experts in their respective verticals and they’re relying on a payments partner to help them to grow and thrive.

Despite looking at every possible option, I could never find a provider that checked all those boxes. So I created Rainforest to set a new industry standard for embedded payments. 

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in developing your startup and how did you overcome them?

The three biggest challenges are having a product-market fit, understanding the competitive landscape, and financing.

Product-market fit

Without product market fit, you don't have a business. However, I was fortunate enough to have been in the payment solutions industry for 15 years, so we already knew where our product fit in the market. I got to see exactly what buyers were looking for and what pain points we could solve. 

Understanding the competitive landscape

Another challenge we faced was understanding the competitive landscape. The embedded payments industry has many well-funded companies. Some are recognizable brands that have been around for years. However, I didn't let that distract me. 

The market we’re in is massive. There’s lots of inherent dissatisfaction with the current set of providers, which created a huge opportunity.  I had a clear roadmap of how we could create an even better product and company in the space. Since formally launching in 2023,  we've done just that. 

Financing

The last major challenge I would highlight would be figuring out how to finance the company.  

Certain companies don’t need outside funding. However, building a payments company from the ground up is a capital-intensive venture. There's a lot of regulatory work,  compliance work. There's a lot of technology and a lot of vendors and banks that you have to work with.

Acquiring outside funding is pretty important for both validation and hiring aspects.  Fortunately, because I was a repeat founder and had a deep understanding of the space, I was able to find a great set of investors to work with on our journey.

What have been some key learnings or growth experiences as an entrepreneur throughout this journey?

  1. There’s no “I” in “team”

It all comes down to your employees and what the team looks like. It's important to treat your employees right. I was very fortunate that many of my former colleagues joined me early on in the journey at Rainforest so we could create a sound company culture. 

  1. Focus on the fundamentals

Investors are doing their due diligence more than ever before, even at a company's earliest stages. They want to make sure that the redundancy, scalability, and legal framework you’re operating in is worth it. 

A lot of times entrepreneurs tend to blow past those things to get a product to market. Sometimes that’s appropriate. But in any highly regulated industry, it’s important to make sure those fundamentals are rock solid, and we’ve certainly done that.  

  1. Treat your customers right

I have a principle at Rainforest. When we make a mistake, we own it. No matter how big or small. People are entrusting us with their money, and it has to be right every single time, down to the penny.

That has strengthened our relationship with customers. It's helped nurture our commitment to quality. At the end of the day, your reputation is everything – I’m fortunate that every member of our team is as fanatical about quality as I am..

The Atlanta Startup Ecosystem

How has the startup community, particularly in the Southeast, influenced or supported your growth?

I grew up in Atlanta and am a Georgia Tech alum, so my roots in Atlanta run deep. Many of our earliest clients are based in the Southeast. We have local VCs around the Southeast who have backed us as well. We also had excellent support from  Silicon Valley Bank and local bankers who bind us with the venture debt facility. And of course, Atlanta Tech Village, which is where our office is based, is incredibly supportive. 

As someone who’s been building startups in Atlanta for well over a decade, I can say our region is doing leaps and bounds better than we were ten or twenty years ago. I'm very proud to be an Atlanta-based company.

How did you first hear about Venture Atlanta?

Years ago, I presented my first startup, Patientco, at Venture Atlanta 2011. I’ve attended many times since, both as a participant and audience member, and I’ve gotten to witness its evolution into a premier platform for startups and investors alike. In 2023, I was even fortunate enough to go on stage and present!

What was the application process like for Venture Atlanta?

It was a rigorous process, but supportive at the same time. It’s something you need to take time to go through. The Venture Atlanta team offers valuable guidance to ensure your success in the process.

It’s clear that opposed to similar events, the Venture Atlanta team wants you to be successful and show up in the best possible light. They provide a lot of help to do so. They also have high expectations to ensure you have a high-quality presentation.

How did you prepare for your pitch at Venture Atlanta?

Tons of practice. For this pitch, I focused on refining my thinking given the tight time limit. And, as a B2B company whose focus is embedded payments, not everybody is as excited initially as they are about a fun consumer product they can go out and use. 

I spent a lot of time crafting the pitch so it would resonate broadly and have an impact. I practiced extensively to nail the delivery and convey Rainforest's value propositions. I wanted Rainforest’s story to capture both the judges' and the attendees' attention.

What impact did winning the pitch competition have on your business?

Being a Venture Atlanta pitch competition winner was a huge milestone for us. Many prospects reached out, and the recognition helped differentiate us from an industry where there are many competitors.

As a startup, you can get caught up in putting your head down day after day. But winning was a moment of pride for me and the whole team.

What other components of the Venture Atlanta conference and network did you find most valuable?

Venture Atlanta is such a well-executed conference. The space is beautiful, the energy is high. It’s almost palpable. Plus, the who's who of attendees are there, so you get the chance to connect with old colleagues and meet new people, not just in the Southeast, but nationally. 

What’s Next for Rainforest

We are growing and hiring. We're focused on adding engineers and technical talent, but we have other roles available in sales, marketing, and operations. As we look to the future, we have some incredible customers we will be announcing over the next quarter or two, as well as some pretty significant and game-changing technical developments. 

Our team is exceptionally busy each and every day, not only delighting customers but also building new products to keep us ahead of the competition.

What’s your long-term vision for Rainforest?

We want to redefine the standard for the embedded payment process. Many of the earlier competitors have not provided great service or great products, and have not treated people the way they should be treated.

We want to be that company where people look back and say, “I remember when Rainforest came on the scene and everything started to change”.  

We've already seen in some cases our competitors are making changes to their contracts or commercial offerings and are becoming more nimble than they were before. And while we love a good competition, we want Rainforest to be driving the industry forward as a whole.

Any final thoughts or words of advice for up-and-coming entrepreneurs?

Always stay focused on product, market fit, and revenue. 

There's an old expression out there that revenue solves all problems. To an extent, that’s true. If you can figure out how to make money doing something, you work out all of the operational and technical challenges.  

I think a lot of entrepreneurs, especially ones with technical backgrounds, focus too much on building a product rather than going out and selling it. And so I think that would be one piece of advice. 

Focus on quality  

In my many years, I’ve learned that reputation carries you a long way. By building a quality product, treating people right, and always doing the right thing, people will give you a lot of credit, whether it's a mistake you made or whether it's asking someone to go out on a limb and be an early customer. 

Be the Next Venture Atlanta Pitch Competition Winner

Joshua Silver's journey with Rainforest exemplifies the resilience, vision, and community spirit essential for entrepreneurial success. To put your name in the ring to be the next Venture Atlanta pitch competition winner, check out our pitch application and selection process. Our applications open in May; it’s free to apply, so there’s no risk. If you have any questions, contact us!

cross-circle