Venture Atlanta 2023 marked a significant evolution in the conference's history, spotlighting pitching companies more prominently than ever before. In a new format, audience members voted for top companies in various stages—Seed, Growth, and Early Stage—on the first day. The chosen companies then participated in a live Q&A with a panel of investor judges on the second day. The highlight was the inaugural Startup Showcase Live, where the top Seed Stage company, Enrichly, was awarded a $500,000 investment.

Enrichly, a visionary k-12 education technology company, is at the forefront of revolutionizing youth mental health and resilience in business. As a leading e-learning platform, it leverages machine learning in education to create a unique learning experience. Led by Founder and CEO Margo Jordan, Enrichly embodies innovation and impact. Its commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering emotional growth places it among the most influential players in educational technology. This transformative approach is not just changing the landscape of learning but also setting new benchmarks for youth mental health support in the formative years of growth.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Margo Jordan to delve into her experience at VA 2023 and learn about her entrepreneurial journey with Enrichly. Check out the conversation below.

Gamifying Youth Development: Enrichly’s Journey into Existence

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

Growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a young girl, I faced challenges with low self-esteem. This issue led me down a path of poor decisions and peer pressure. My turning point came when I joined the military at 18, where I discovered my self-esteem and recognized my potential.

After graduating from Texas Southern University with a degree in finance and briefly venturing into investment banking, I realized my true calling was elsewhere. I wanted to address a problem I faced both as a child and as an adult: low self-esteem. My research revealed that a staggering 85% of the adult population suffers from this issue. This realization led me to question why there weren't more focused solutions for developing self-esteem. Traditional approaches like sports or karate classes didn't directly address this need. Hence, Enrichly was born out of the need to focus on self-esteem, aiming to repair and improve one’s self-image.

Our company wasn't originally named Enrichly; it was called Chicks with Class, conceived as a self-esteem center for girls. Established as a brick-and-mortar entity in 2017, Chicks with Class aimed to directly address self-esteem in young girls. However, with COVID-19 in 2020, we were forced to rethink our approach. We had to close our physical center and could no longer conduct in-person sessions in schools. This challenge led to a significant pivot in December 2020, where we transitioned to a fully digital platform, laying the groundwork for what Enrichly is today.

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

One of my biggest challenges was learning how to grow a team without a background in technology. Not knowing how to code, I had to first understand what I wanted from the product, and then determine the right people for the team. This process involved significant trial and error, and initially, I made costly mistakes by hiring the wrong people. 

Another challenge was maintaining focus. Enrichly offers a universally accessible tool for self-esteem, but pinpointing our target market for maximum business impact was complex. We adopted a strategy of focusing on one customer segment or vertical at a time, which helped avoid overstretching our limited startup resources. Regular 90-day check-ins were crucial in this process, allowing us to evaluate our progress and refine our team composition. Ultimately, focusing on one vertical not only helped in solving the initial challenge of team building but also steered the company more effectively towards growth.

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

One key learning for me has always been to trust my gut. As entrepreneurs, we often seek external advice, sometimes more than trusting our own expertise, even though we are the ones deeply involved in building our companies. When I listened to others over my own instincts, it often led to mistakes. I've learned it's better to trust my judgment and learn from any mistakes I make on that path. 

Confidence is essential in entrepreneurship, whether dealing with investors or customers. One of the key ways to do that is to always make sure you’re staying ready and prepared. I used to be a huge procrastinator, but in this life of startup land, I learned that I literally have to be prepared at all times to make sure that I’m taking advantage of any opportunity that comes my way. 

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

One of the most significant communities I became part of was Google for Startups, which was facilitated by Goodie Nation. I initially applied in 2021, but it wasn't until 2022 that I was accepted. This moment was crucial for Enrichly's growth, offering invaluable training and access to a broad community.

Through my involvement with Goodie Nation, I was also introduced to Venture Atlanta. A mentor of mine encouraged me to apply for Venture Atlanta's showcase, which led to us winning the grand prize. And it was a life-changing moment.  I'll say that. This achievement wasn't just about funding; it was about connecting with a vast network of people who could offer advice and help accelerate our learning and growth.

Enrichly at Venture Atlanta 2023

How did you first hear about Venture Atlanta?

I was really convinced to pitch at Venture Atlanta by my friend at Goodie Nation, Stefanie Diaz. She’s the one who sent me an email and gave me the information. Now, I did also know other startup founders who were a part of Venture Atlanta the year prior. But for whatever reason, I just felt like, well, maybe that opportunity isn’t for me — until Stefanie sent me that email and told me I should definitely apply.

What was the application process for VA 2023 like?

The Venture Atlanta application process was by far the most simple application that I've done, and I've filled out a lot of applications. So for this to be the biggest prize, the biggest win, and the simplest application, it’s like icing on the cake!

How did you prepare for your pitch?

So, fun fact, before Venture Atlanta, I would do pitch competitions all the time. And I was always winning. And then all of a sudden, I was on this losing streak. I lost probably four times in a row, because I had gotten to this idea in my head that I was so good at pitching that I didn't need to practice.

So when Venture Atlanta came around, I said, you know what? I am not going to lose. I'm going to do whatever I need to do to practice, practice, practice. And that's what I did. I scripted my pitch. I went over my slides thousands of times. I would walk up to strangers and ask them to hear my pitch and let me know if they understood what I did within these two minutes. And I would record myself, you know, saying the pitch over and over and over, and I would time myself and I would get into this rhythm where I knew exactly what slide was coming up and what word or what sentence. So that way, if we had any technical difficulties and the screen just went out, I knew how to pick up where I left off. And that was how I prepared.

What impact did winning the pitch competition have for Enrichly?

Oh my gosh, where do I start? Well, first of all, I was able to hire my team full-time and give them a guaranteed salary. That was great. I was also able to recruit my new head of engineering, and this person came from a company that sold for like $350 million. So bringing on someone of his caliber really allowed me to grow my network even more and expose Enrichly to not just the talent that I needed, but the right talent to take Enrichly from where we are now to where I see the company being in about 24 months.

I've also been able to grow myself as a leader within the company. And I've been able to sort of step back and ask myself questions like, “How can I ensure that Enrichly is building not only the best product, but we're also building the best culture for all of our employees?”  Because I really valued how great the experience was at Venture Atlanta, I really wanted to make sure that everything that Enrichly is doing is reflecting the type of win that we took home, which was obviously so major for us. I would probably say those are the biggest ways that winning this pitch competition has impacted our company.

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

I would definitely say the people, particularly those involved with the funds. Beyond the financial support they provided, the relationships I've built hold immense value. These connections are not only vital for Enrichly's current growth but also for my future ventures. It's these relationships that make winning pitch competitions like Venture Atlanta truly rewarding. It's not just about the monetary gain; it's about the network and connections that come with these investments.

How have you used/do you plan on using the investment prize from the Startup Showcase?

In addition to the new hires, I was also able to launch a marketing campaign for the company, which I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. I had my eye on this company and I was finally able to do it. Additionally, I brought on a highly qualified fractional CFO to help get our numbers together so that when we do go out and we want to raise again, or we want to prepare the company for acquisition, everything is done correctly. And now I don't have to worry as much about that part of the business.

What does it mean to now be working with BIP Ventures, Florida Funders, Knoll Ventures, and Catalyst by Wellstar? What does each fund bring to you besides money?

The amount of value that each one of these funds brings to Enrichly in my opinion is worth a lot more than money. Catalyst by WellStar will actually be piloting Enrichly’s software within their healthcare system. This will allow us to really break into the healthcare system a lot more and open up the opportunity for deeper impact. Florida Funders invited us out to be a showcase company which opens the door to more connections in Florida which subsequently was the next state on our go-to-market plan. BIP Ventures has brought forth so much visibility and has given us the opportunity to connect with more customers.

The Future of Enrichly

What’s next for Enrichly? Anything exciting on the horizon that we can share?

Yes! So, I recently moved to Abu Dhabi and am collaborating with a local team to expand our technology in the region. This is an exciting development over the coming months. We're also planning to scale our solution across more schools, starting with a pilot program in Atlanta, which is exciting as it's the home of Venture Atlanta. Additionally, we're exploring ways to integrate AI and generative AI into Enrichly to enhance its effectiveness.

What’s your long-term vision for Enrichly?

My long-term vision for Enrichly is to establish it as a cash flow positive company, capable of starting a fund to invest in other social impact-oriented tech companies. I would love to start corporate fund where we can invest in unique educational initiatives, leveraging our extensive knowledge in this domain.

Another goal is to develop Enrichly into a premier platform for self-esteem development, similar to the model of Duolingo, but focused on self-esteem. We also plan to make it a family-oriented program where parents are actively involved in their children's self-esteem journey, ensuring it's more than just a game but a tool for growth and learning.

Any final thoughts and words of advice for other entrepreneurs?

Leverage your network. You don't know who you know that may be able to connect you to the next big piece of the puzzle. That's what I've done to get Enrichly as far as we've gotten to this point.

Additionally, I really encourage diversity, because when you put men and women who come from different backgrounds into an organization, you can get much more accomplished. That's what I strive to do at Enrichly. Everybody has their own self-esteem journey. We have been able to pour these self-esteem journeys into the development of our technology, into our marketing campaigns, and into the facilitators who go into the classroom and actually teach the children. And that plays a huge part in our growth and why we are so unique.

I would also encourage people to seek funding opportunities. Explore things like grants and scholarships and funding programs that are a really good fit for what you and your company need. Venture might not always be the answer for startups or for entrepreneurs, but if it is, make sure you find the right fund. Find the right fund and find someone who not only believes in your company but also believes in you as the founder. 

The last thing I want to say is fail faster. Don't be afraid to take a risk and fail as soon as you can so that you can pivot and find out what does work.

Be the Next Venture Atlanta Success Story

Visit our site to learn more about the Venture Atlanta pitch application and selection process. Applications for VA 2024 open in May! It’s free to apply - so there’s no risk. And even if you don’t get selected, the application process itself gets your company in front of several investors and community leaders (who make up our selection committee), so it’s great exposure! Contact us with any questions.

At our 2023 conference, we introduced the first-ever Venture Atlanta pitch competition! The finalists in the competition pitched live to the Venture Atlanta audience and then participated in a Q&A session with a panel of investors. We took note of the most common questions the investors asked so that you can make sure you’re prepared to answer these questions during your next pitch.

Categories

Reason for Starting Your Company

Competition

Marketing, Sales, and Retention

Technology, Integrations, and Compliance

Your Company’s Future

Reasons for Starting Your Company

Competition

Marketing, Sales, and Retention

Technology, Integrations, and Compliance

Your Company's Future

 
If you’re looking to raise capital, consider applying to pitch at the next Venture Atlanta conference.Contact us if you have any questions about the opportunity!

For the past few years now, the venture world has been drudging through what some have referred to as “the dark ages” of venture capital. It’s no secret that many of the most successful companies were started during a down market, but it is understandably more challenging to raise capital in these times as well. So, how should founders navigate the entrepreneurial journey at a time like this?

In the opening panel of Venture Atlanta 2023, four remarkable founders took the stage to share what they’ve learned throughout their entrepreneurial journeys, the challenges they faced, and the strategies they employed to secure the vital capital needed to grow their companies. The panel was moderated by Maria Derchi of Florida Funders, and it featured the following founders:

The conversation was insightful and rich with takeaways for seasoned and aspiring tech founders alike. You can watch the full 30-minute panel here:

Below are some key takeaways from the discussion.

Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey: Advice from Successful Founders

As startups and investors embark on the entrepreneurial journey, achieving success is about more than just gathering funds. It calls for a solid grasp of investor relations, wise management of early investment offers, and building a supportive network to help steer the company towards its goals.

Evaluate investors as if you are hiring them.

In the quest to build a thriving company with the backing of investors, it's crucial to ensure that they share your product vision wholeheartedly. “Treat the process of finding investors like you’re hiring a key team member. You want them to be as ready as you are to dive in and make things work,” voiced Frayman. When there’s a shared vision, forming a solid partnership becomes significantly smoother.

Nurture your relationships with investors.

The panel highlighted the significance of viewing investor relationships as more than just financial engagements. “I maintain a clear and open communication with my investors, treating them as allies and advisors. It's beneficial to see beyond the typical investor-founder scenario and envision a united team aiming for mutual success,” shared Scriven.

Surround yourself with experience.

Being a first-time founder, Morris chose not to have a co-founder but instead, surrounded herself with experienced mentors and individuals who had navigated similar paths. This strategy has proved invaluable as her company, Emrgy, makes strides in the renewable energy domain.

It’s not about the environment, it’s about you.

Investors and funding opportunities are always present, regardless of market downturns or economic uncertainties. As Scriven articulated, “The core challenge in securing capital is to assure the person across the table that you’re bound for success, with or without their investment.” In essence, confidence is the linchpin. Effectively conveying your vision and the value it holds, leaves investors with a simple choice—whether or not they want to join you on this promising entrepreneurial journey.

Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit Amidst Market Adversities

The narrative shared by these adept founders echoes a resounding theme: the entrepreneurial journey, albeit filled with hurdles, especially in a down market, holds a treasure trove of opportunities for those prepared to navigate it with tenacity, vision, and a supportive network.

These trailblazing entrepreneurs underline the necessity of aligning with investors who not only share your product vision but are committed to rolling up their sleeves to traverse the turbulent tides alongside you. Furthermore, they spotlight the invaluable asset of surrounding oneself with a rich talent pool of seasoned mentors and a robust support system. This is not merely about buoying the venture amidst market storms, but about steering the enterprise towards uncharted territories where innovation and success reside.

Keep Up with Venture Atlanta

You can check out more thought-provoking conversations from industry leaders by visiting our YouTube channel or reading our blog. If you want to read more about everything that went down at Venture Atlanta 2023, you can check out the full recap here.

Venture Atlanta continues to be a hub of inspiration, fostering conversations that propel the tech entrepreneurial spirit forward. We eagerly anticipate the gems of wisdom Venture Atlanta 2024 will unveil.

FAQ

What is the entrepreneurial journey?

The entrepreneurial journey refers to the process and experiences of starting and growing a business. It encompasses ideation, product vision development, building a talent pool, fundraising, equity management, and scaling the business.

How important is the product vision in the entrepreneurial journey?

A clear product vision is crucial as it sets the direction for the startup. It helps in aligning the team, attracting the right investors, and guiding decision-making throughout the journey.

How can startups build a solid talent pool?

Building a solid talent pool involves identifying the skills required for your startup, hiring individuals who align with your company culture, and investing in the development and retention of your team.

What is equity management and why is it important?

Equity management involves the distribution and management of ownership shares in a startup. It is crucial for ensuring fair ownership, attracting and retaining talent, and navigating investor relations effectively.

At Venture Atlanta 2023, attendees were thrilled to welcome the seasoned entrepreneur and investor, Robert Herjavec, onto the stage. Known for his acumen and charisma on ABC’s Shark Tank, Robert’s presence promised insightful discussions and actionable advice. The second day’s keynote session was moderated by Maya Noeth, a seasoned investor and Partner at Accel. As the dialogue unfolded, they delved into a plethora of topics that resonated with every entrepreneur and investor in the room.

Key Takeaways

One of the profound highlights was Robert’s emphasis on the importance of authenticity in business.

“You’ve got to stand out above the noise. And the one thing that seems to work over and over, the common thread, is authenticity with their consumer base.”

Through real-world examples like Tipsy Elves and Sand Cloud, he illustrated how genuine connections with the consumer base drive success. His anecdotes showcased that authenticity isn't just a buzzword, but a core value that significantly impacts a business's trajectory.

Discussing the current market demand amidst economic downturns, Herjavec shared an optimistic outlook. He emphasized that while raising capital might be challenging, the demand for great technology remains robust.

"Disruption in economic difficulty always wins. If you can add greater value in a disruptive economy, you can usurp a lot of the incumbents.”

This insight underlines the importance of value creation in a product or service, which will continue to attract consumers even in less favorable market conditions.

Robert Herjavec’s Advice for Entrepreneurs

Robert’s practical advice for entrepreneurs aimed at carving a niche in a crowded market was a treasure trove of insights. He stressed the necessity of knowing your numbers, understanding the core value proposition of your product or service, and most importantly, being able to articulate it clearly.

“Before you sell me on your product or your incredible tech innovation... sell me on yourself. Sell me on you. Get my attention. If you can't engage, I'm not going to listen."

His anecdote about Tipsy Elves' journey from an idea to a booming business painted a vivid picture of the unpredictable, yet rewarding entrepreneurial journey.

Is Robert Herjavec still on Shark Tank?

As the conversation transitioned towards his experience on Shark Tank, Robert mentioned that they had just finished filming the latest season of Shark Tank the week before his appearance at Venture Atlanta. This update answers a lingering question for many — yes, Robert Herjavec is still gracing the Shark Tank panel with his expertise and wit, evaluating pitches from hopeful entrepreneurs.

On the AI Frontier

The dialogue also touched upon the burgeoning domain of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Herjavec displayed a bullish outlook on AI, viewing it as an evolution of data science that's bound to reshape industries. His perspective sheds light on the imperative for businesses to adapt to technological advancements to remain competitive and relevant.

In Review

Venture Atlanta 2023 served as a platform for enriching discussions that left attendees with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. The candid sharing of experiences and insights by Robert Herjavec was indeed a highlight, providing a real-world lens through which to view the challenging yet exhilarating world of entrepreneurship and investment.
You can check out the full discussion with Robert Herjavec below. You can also find the recaps of other past Venture Atlanta conference keynotes when you visit our Resource Hub.

Day 2 Keynote: A Conversation with Robert Herjavec of Shark Tank

Maya Noeth: Good morning everyone, and welcome to day two of Venture Atlanta. Robert, I'm really excited to be up on stage with you today to kick off today's programming.

Robert Herjavec: Thank you. Thank you. Hi everybody.

Maya Noeth: Robert, I've been watching Shark Tank for many years now and actually have your investment in Tipsy Elves to thank for my entire family's Halloween costumes this year. So thank you for backing that company early on. But we're all truly very excited to have you here to learn from the wisdom and the perspective that you've garnered over the last 30-plus years as both an entrepreneur and investor. So thanks again for joining us.

Robert Herjavec: Thank you.

Maya Noeth: And maybe let's just launch quickly into Q and A. So Robert, from your role on Shark Tank, you know that there is no shortage of ideas and of entrepreneurs. On the one hand, we're very fortunate to have the cost of starting a company come down meaningfully over the years. And the emergence of social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter make it really easy to promote your business. But I think those two things have made it really crowded as an entrepreneur, and so it's really hard to rise above the noise. So Robert, what is your practical advice for how to be seen and how to form connections with the people that will matter most to you as an entrepreneur?

Robert Herjavec: Wow, that's such a great question, Maya. It's amazing. We've been doing the show for 15 years in the States and the mean bald guy and I started the show in Canada, and it actually runs in 64 countries, talk about the power of branding. The show was originally started by Sony in Japan, and there's a division of Sony that does format, and the show runs in 64 countries. It's called Dragons Den.

So when they brought it to the US, they sat down with Mark Burnett who produced Survivor, The Apprentice, he's the guy in TV. And I was in that meeting and Sony said, look, Mark, here's how the format works. There's five dragons, here's how it works, but feel free to change it for the US market and you can change anything, but you can't change the name, you can't change “Dragons Den” because that's really important to us. And Mark looked at them and said, what's a dragon? Mark was like, it's never going to work in America. I'm going to call it Shark Tank.

Brilliant, and what a great name. And now the show Shark Tank runs in those same countries where they have Dragons Den. So, long-winded answer, it's brand. It was very, very difficult to break out for the show. I mean, if you think about our show, we are five not-so-famous people at the time talking about business.

People used to think we were on Discovery Channel about Shark Week. I remember the first time we got nominated for an Emmy. I actually went and the guys from The Deadliest Catch who ended up winning the Emmy were sitting in front of us and he leans over and goes, Hey man, we kind of have a similar show. And I'm thinking, my show is nothing like your show. He's like, yeah, we catch fish. You guys dive all over the world with sharks. I'm like, no, no. Completely different show what we've seen over the 15 years.

To answer your question directly, it's brand, but it's authenticity. So we talk about this a lot on the show. In some ways, this is the best time in history to start a business because the barriers to entry are so low. When I started my first tech business, I was limited by the amount of servers I could afford to buy. Computing power was a limitation to my scale. Today with cloud, I mean it's zero in other ways, it's the hardest time in history. It's start a business because everybody else can do it. The barrier to entry is so low. So what we found is you got to stand out above the noise. And the one thing that seems to work over and over and over, Tipsy Elves, Sand Cloud, these are all companies that came on the show. Tipsy Elves sales was doing $600,000 a year. They'll do $100 million this year. Sand Cloud was doing I think $800,000. They'll do $75 million this year. The common thread is authenticity with their consumer base. They are very, very clear who the consumer of the product is and how to connect with them.

So Sand Cloud, give you a small example, had this great program where they didn't pay for influencers, they didn't do any kind of paid stuff, but they found that college kids loved their product and so they would invite people to post on their site and then they'd make them ambassadors and it became cool to become a Sand Cloud ambassador. And just a small example, and I'm not saying that paying for influencers and all of that doesn't work just in our experience collectively as the Sharks, it is not the overriding win. We have people that come on the show that pay zero for social media influencers. They just know how to connect with their audience.

And my final point that we find is, so you got to think about the format of our show. We're sitting there, and by the way, I'm on TV three hours a day every day in the States. We film eight days a year. Four days in June, four days in September. It's the easiest gig in TV. 

Maya Noeth: That’s incredible.

Robert Herjavec: And we all complain eight days a year, oh my God, why can't we do this in seven? Seven will be so much better than eight, but it's the easiest gig to do. But we're bored. We're tired, we're filming 12 hours a day. We all got businesses to run. I'm not sitting there waiting for somebody to come out when those doors open. We know nothing about the people. The typical pitch is about an hour. The first question is always, what's your name? We have no information about them, and it all gets edited into seven minutes.

The consistent thread from people that get deals to those that don't, it's not the numbers, it's not the product. It's people's ability to get our attention. Before you sell me on your product or your incredible tech innovation and the history of mankind, no one has ever thought of, ever sell me on yourself. Sell me on you. Get my attention. If you can't engage, I'm not going to listen.

Maya Noeth: Yeah. Well maybe on that note, if people are successful in grabbing your attention, what are the next things that you look for in terms of top attributes of an entrepreneur that you want to back and what are some red flags maybe?

Robert Herjavec: I mean, so what's funny about us is if we like you, our empathy is very high. So sometimes if you watch a show and the first pitch comes out and they don't know their numbers, we're like, you're an idiot. You don't know your numbers. How did you get out here? And the next person comes out and they don't know their numbers. We're like, ah, don't worry about it. We got accountants. We'll help you. It's such a dichotomy, but if you can engage us, you’ve got to be able to sell. And it's not used car salesman kind of thing, but you've got to understand the core value proposition of your product or service and be able to articulate it clearly to who the customer is.

Sometimes people come out and we're like, who do you guys sell to? And we're like, oh, our technology or product applies to everybody. And people think that we like that answer, but we hate that answer. So sales and you got to know your numbers, you've got to know cost of goods, you got to know margin, you got to know product cost, all of that kind of stuff.

Maya Noeth: Yeah. So it sounds like a balance of actually knowing your business really well, plus the EQ level to really connect with you as a person.

Robert Herjavec: Very much the EQ, and we're very patient with people if we like them.

Maya Noeth: Yeah, gotcha. Do you think now that we're in this sort of weird and depressing market environment, that the entrepreneurial skillset has shifted over the last five years, have they had to learn how to do other things and hone skills that they haven't had to before?

Robert Herjavec: Geez, that's a great question, Maya. So I actually don't think the market is that bad. I think the market for raising money is not great. It's challenging. I think the capital markets aren't great, probably not a great time to think of an IPO as your exit. But in terms of demand, we're still seeing strong demand for great technology.

I mean, I'm in the cyber space, so where the demand hasn't waned. People are still buying, cycles are definitely taking longer. People are rationalizing every dollar of corporate spend, but they're still spending, I think the one skillset that most entrepreneurs have had to learn is how to make a profit. So in my space, I'm the only company that makes money. I'm probably the oldest guy in cybersecurity also. So I come from a time where people actually cared about EBITDA and when I was raising money two years ago, and when I say I'm the only guy that makes money, I really mean that my closest competitor loses $75 million a year. Another competitor was losing $200 million a year. When we went out to raise money for the first time two years ago, I had 20 investors like you guys that I was pitching to, and I would have 10 slides about our profitability. Every company I get to those slides, they'd be like, yeah, we don't care about that. Just move on. It was all about growth scale, how quickly we can grow. And now the biggest shift is if you don't have a clear view to profit, you're going to have a very, very difficult time getting funded and surviving.

Maya Noeth: Yeah, we're definitely seeing that as well. I mean, on that note, how do you guide your entrepreneurs on how to balance having this culture of innovation and risk-taking with this kind of focus discipline approach, thinking about profitability, how do you guide them on how to thread the needle between those two things?

Robert Herjavec: Well, I think in tech it's always about growth. I mean, if you think about most tech companies, even our stage, and we're about a billion now, about a thousand people, we're never going to make enough EBITDA to get a really big exit or a massive IPO. So growth is still the overarching north star for I think most tech businesses. But there's a discipline around EBITDA, and I think what we try to tell people is never kill innovation for the sake of profit. But if there is no profit, there is surely death and death is bad. It's really hard to come back from the grave.

Maya Noeth: Yeah, makes sense. Do you have any examples from your portfolio of some maybe entrepreneurs that have had to be really nimble to sort of thread that needle or make really tough choices when they're doing their forecasting for the year?

Robert Herjavec: I think every one of our companies, in the last two years, we had a number of portfolio companies where literally the plan was scale, grow, raise another round, and what we've had to do is go back to those founders and say that, raise another round. You got to get rid of that. That may not happen.So, how far can you go on the investment you have now? Can we scale growth back a little bit in order to continue to profitability?

Maya Noeth: Yeah. Got it. Maybe switching gears a little bit, it feels like every startup today is rewriting the company description on their website to be more AI-centric and even some full pivots to being an AI company. So how have you as an investor thought about investing in AI? Is it too crazy of a market to engage with right now in terms of where deals are getting priced? Are you super bullish on AI as really a sea change happening in the category like cloud was? Or are you kind of hanging back?

Robert Herjavec: Yeah, I'm super bullish on AI, but you have to keep in mind the space I'm in is a lot of deep learning, big data lakes. So AI for us is not a new development that came out of nowhere. So for us, AI is an evolution of a lot of the data science kind of work that we've been doing. But I think it is a fundamental shift. I think you got to be careful to follow the trends. In the nineties, I had one of the first internet security companies and it was called Brack, and then all of a sudden, dot-com became the thing. So every company that was like dot-com something or whatever was getting funded, and I was so frustrated. I actually changed the name of our company from BRAC to brac.com. I thought we would be worth more, and it was stupid.

Maya Noeth: That's what we're seeing in AI today.

Robert Herjavec: That's what we're seeing in AI today. So I don't think changing your core brand or business around it necessarily increases your value or decreases your value, but I think it, it's definitely a trend that's going to change a lot of things. And if you're not using it, applying it or taking advantage of it, you're definitely going to get left behind. But it's no different than cloud. It's just another wave. This wave is not going to crash and burn. This wave is going to be around for a very long time.

Maya Noeth: Yeah. Do you have a view on whether the incumbents who have maybe the benefit of distribution and maybe have raised a lot of capital versus the startups that are now building from the ground up, AI-specific tech, does one of those have sort of an advantage? How do you think about who will win?

Robert Herjavec: Yeah, it's great. So we literally just finished filming Shark Tank last week, and [Mark] Cuban and I were just talking about this, and every company I've started that's been successful started in a recession bad time. So at the enterprise level, not necessarily at the consumer level, if you're selling B2B or enterprise, there's something wonderful about tough economic times, and that is money flows to value when things are going great and everybody's making money, and corporations have unlimited budgets, they tend to defer to relationships. Well, I really like you. I've known you for a long time. I'm going to go with you the incumbent. When times are tough, nobody cares about your relationship. They care about the value that you add. So disruption in economic difficulty always wins. If you can add greater value in a disruptive economy, you can usurp a lot of the incumbents.

Maya Noeth: Yeah. Do you have a perspective or a view when you think of your own investments that you make on what sort of layer of AI is most interesting? Is it the application layer? Is it the infrastructure layer, the model layer, somewhere in between? Or are you open-minded in how you think about where the value world?

Robert Herjavec: Yeah, we don't really focus on one or the other. I mean, Paul Judge and I were just talking about this, and you have different kinds of investors. You have people that are very good at skipping stones, meaning they can throw the stone, skip it multiple times across different industries. And I have very wealthy friends who own gas stations and do commercial real estate and invest in tech. I'm a cybersecurity guy. That's all I've ever been. I think I know it really, really, really well. So I tend to focus on that, but I think there's tremendous opportunity in anything. I think this is an incredible time of disruption.

Maya Noeth: Yeah, that's a really interesting segue to my next question, which is, as you said, you've operated as an exec largely in the cybersecurity space, but in your role as a shark on Shark Tank, you hear super varied pitches that happen every day. And like you said, you don't know what's coming at you when those doors open. So maybe for the investors in the room, how do you think about the benefit of being a generalist investor versus somebody who is very sector-specific? Is there pros and cons to one or the other?

Robert Herjavec: So great question. So when we're filming Shark Tank, I'm a cyber guy. I've been doing this for 30, 40 years and I'm very good at it. So we're filming season two comes around and I'm seeing pitches that are just crap, this consumer stuff, and I'm like, oh my God, what am I doing on this show? This is such a waste of time. I'm a real business guy. And so I take Mark Burnett out for dinner and I'm like, Mark, why don't we see real tech on the show stuff? I can really bite my teeth into hardcore tech. And Mark's like, Robert, I don't know how to tell you this, but what you do is really boring. Nobody in America or Middle America cares. And I was like, ah. Now this was 15 years ago. And so I went back and I stopped looking at the investments through my filter, and I started looking at 'em through the platform of the show I was on. And what I realized is the business of America is consumerism.

So our show runs in 64 countries. The only country in the world where a product appears on your screen and people buy it right away is America. The show runs in Canada. People in Canada see a product. They're like, oh my God, that is amazing. I love it. Then a week later, they see it in a retail store and they're like, oh my God, that's that thing I saw on Shark Tank. They still don't buy it. A month later, they're like, maybe I should buy it. What do you think in America? They're like, oh yeah, I'm buying that. People's products blow up on our show. The most common thing we tell people is, make sure you're ready. Make sure you're ready. The demand is going to go through the roof. And I got to tell you, even to this day, 50% of the people that get a deal, their sites crash with orders on the day the show airs. And so it's really about understanding what the platform is and the value that you're adding because our show is really about consumerism.

That's why I invest in Tipsy Elves. I was waiting for this big tech deal, season two, these two, I'm going to give you the entire pitch right now. This guy comes out, he's a lawyer, the other guy's a dentist. They're tired of being a lawyer and a dentist, they want to start their own company. They Google companies to start, oh my God, I'm not making this up. One of the top 10 searches is ugly Christmas sweaters. They say, how are we going to stand out in the ugly Christmas sweater business? We're going to make inappropriate ugly Christmas sweaters. So like Santa peeing in the snow, Merry Christmas, three reindeer doing it, ménage à trois, crazy stuff.

And I'm sitting there listening, and they were horrible presenters. They were really dry. And I'm sitting there going, oh my God, why am I here? And Mark drops out, everybody drops out, and I'm just like, ah. I'm like, do you guys have any sales? And they're like, yeah, $600,000. I'm like, Ooh, what do you sell the sweaters for? $70. What does it cost you to make them? Seven bucks? I'm like, oh, I'm in. Knew nothing about distribution. Somehow in the 15 years, people always, I was on Good Morning America. And Robin asked me, oh, I guess if you get a clothing deal, you really turn to Damon for advice. And I'm like, no. Damon knows so much about clothing. He never wants to invest in clothing. I'm the clothing guy. I knew nothing about tip seals. I knew nothing about towels. But now I'm like the guy because I've learned to understand that business.

Maya Noeth: What about from the entrepreneur's perspective, if they're in the lucky position to have a bunch of different investors pitching them, how should they think about maybe choosing to work with a sector specialist that really understands their category versus somebody that is more generalist?

Robert Herjavec: Gosh, great question. So I'll give you my personal experience. Paul Judge and I were talking about this. So every company I've started, I've had three exits now. I sold one company to AT&T, one company to Nokia and some smaller investments along the way. Every one of those companies, I owned a hundred percent of. I didn't believe I was going to build a multi-billion dollar company. I believed I was going to build a multi-hundred million dollar-plus company. And so I bootstrapped everything along the way. I mortgaged my house. I lived off credit cards, but I was really proud of owning a hundred percent of it. And then in this current business, I built it to about $300 million and I owned a hundred percent of it, and I was so proud of that. And then Covid hit and I earned a business, began to grow by 40-50%, and I couldn't keep up anymore. So I had to make a decision. Either I sell or I continue to grow, and I really believe in our mission. So I started raising money and we had over 20 firms pitching us, which is great, so if you're in a position where you have multiple investors pitching you, you are a unicorn with sprinkles today because that's very rare.

We wanted a partner that could add value. I mean, goal number one was to get the money. So if I only had one firm pitching me, your question wouldn't apply. I would've taken that. But we were lucky, we had multiple. So we looked for somebody that added value to us as a company. We think we're great operators. We think we know how to run a business. We wanted help in terms of value, how to build scale, all of those things. And so we took that deal and in two years, we've tripled the size of the business.

So my advice now, I was the guy who always said, oh, I would never raise money. Borrowing a hundred percent of it. Now I'm like, I'm an idiot. I should have raised money way sooner. I've been able to grow. The problem with owning a hundred percent of it is what needs to be done, but the risk of being all invested and doing something wrong is just so high. And so we picked a partner that we thought could really add value. And it was funny because we, out of the 20 companies, 19 of them loved us. Were super nice to us. Every conversation started with Robert, we love your sector. We love you. We love Shark Tank. The one company that we ended up going with was out of England. And they would like, you're on a TV show. Why are you on a TV show? We just don't understand this. Is there any value? Would you be willing to quit that show? And I'm like, who are these guys? They don't love me. But we learned that love is good, value's better. And so we ended up going with a company that really understands our space company called Apex. And there was other great companies, but it's turned out really well for us.

Maya Noeth: That's great. I should start bringing you on my pitches with me. This is basically the pitch that I give people on why to take capital.

I think we're out of time today, but thank you so much for joining us, and thank you to you all for coming and being part of Venture Atlanta.

Robert Herjavec: Thank you guys.

From September 27 - 28, the bustling energy of Atlanta became even more electrifying as we kicked off the 16th annual Venture Atlanta conference at The Woodruff Arts Center and Atlanta Symphony Hall.

Each year, Venture Atlanta has been an anchor for the Southeast's startup community, and this year was no exception. In fact, it was our biggest and best conference yet, shattering previous records with a whopping 550 company applications. Out of this impressive pool, 52 standout companies got the unique opportunity to present on stage, captivating an audience of 1,500 enthusiastic attendees.

This year was truly unlike any other, with a larger emphasis and more stage time dedicated to our presenting companies. This culminated in Venture Atlanta’s first-ever pitch competition in which the top audience-voted companies returned to the stage for a live Q&A session in front of a panel of well-known investor judges. Think of it as VA’s own version of Shark Tank — which was fitting, considering Day 2’s keynote speaker was none other than Robert Herjavec from ABC’s Shark Tank.

We were also honored to induct three Venture Atlanta Alumni companies into our inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame class!

It was a thrilling two days full of inspiring stories and amazing tech. Common themes that came up again and again this year were cybersecurity, health and wellness tech, hospitality, and of course, the overarching application of AI. If you weren’t able to attend this year’s conference (or you just can’t get enough Venture Atlanta), keep on reading for the full event recap.

Venture Atlanta 2023 by the Numbers

Key Takeaways from Venture Atlanta 2023 Speakers

In the opening panel on Day 1 of Venture Atlanta, Yuri Frayman (CAST AI), Emily Morris (Emrgy Inc.), Tyler Scriven (Saltbox), and Tony Summerville (Fleetio) joined the stage to discuss the best strategies when raising capital in a down market. Moderated by Maria Derchi of Florida Funders, here were some of the biggest takeaways from “A Guide to Harvest in Winter”:

Evaluate investors as if you are hiring them.

When building a successful company backed by investors, you want to ensure that they’re as committed to your vision as you are. “Evaluate investors the same way you would evaluate hiring a CMO. You want to feel that they are on the sideline with you, ready to roll up their sleeves and do the work,” said Frayman. When everyone is aligned on a single vision, building that partnership becomes much easier.

Nurture your relationships with investors.

The panel stressed the importance of treating your relationships with investors as more than just a transactional connection. “I am extremely transparent in my relationships with investors and try to engage them as friends and confidants. It’s good to think about the relationship as more than the investor-founder framework and instead, as two people who are focused on succeeding together,” said Scriven.

Surround yourself with experience.

As a first-time founder, Morris opted not to go with a co-founder. Instead, she surrounded herself with mentors and people who had been through similar situations. This has made all the difference as her company, Emrgy, continues to make leaps in the renewable energy sector.

It’s not about the environment, it’s about you.

There will always be investors out there and funds to be raised, despite what the headlines say about a down market or a looming recession. As Scriven put it, “The real challenge in raising capital is to convince the person in front of you that you’ll be successful with or without them.” To put it simply, confidence is key. If you can effectively communicate your vision and the value it creates, the only decision to be made by investors is whether or not they want to come be successful with you.

Venture Atlanta 2023 Keynote: Robert Herjavec

Day 2 kicked off with the highly anticipated keynote from Robert Herjavec, CEO of global cybersecurity firm Cyderes, bestselling author, and Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank. With years of experience not only as a CEO but also as an early investor in some of today’s most successful companies, Robert shared his advice on how entrepreneurs can break through the noise.

Right now, there is no shortage of ideas and entrepreneurs. The cost of starting a company has come way down over the years, and this has made the entrepreneurial space crowded. So how do you stand out?

According to Robert, the answer is BRAND.

Robert mentioned some of his most successful Shark Tank investments, including Tipsy Elves and Sand Cloud, and how the common thread is always the unique branding and genuine connections these brands forge with their customers. There’s not much that’s novel about sweaters and towels, but these brands are very aware of who their consumer profile is and how to connect with them. Authenticity goes a long way when building a brand that lasts.

“The business of America is consumerism,” says Robert. “This is the only country in the world where a product appears on screen and people will rush to buy it right away.” He joked that securing an investment from the sharks is actually second in importance to the screen time that businesses get on Shark Tank, and they better be ready to supply the demand that will come when their episode airs. Many times, the only way they could be ready was by securing a deal with one of the sharks.

Robert closed with some advice for companies seeking investors: seek out people who will add value to your company. An investor who has a proven track record to help you scale, for example. “Love and loyalty are good, but value is better.”

Standout Venture Atlanta 2023 Companies

As mentioned before, VA 2023 was a shift from many of our conferences in years past. This year, we shined an even bigger spotlight on our pitching companies, holding an audience vote on Day 1 for the top companies from each category — Seed Stage, Growth Stage, and Early Stage. The top companies then returned to the stage on Day 2 for a live Q&A with a panel of investor judges. For the grand finale, the top Seed Stage company was awarded a $500,000 investment as a prize for winning our first-ever Startup Showcase Live.

Without further ado, here were the top companies for each category.

Seed Stage: Enrichly

Enrichly is a gamified personal development platform committed to helping youth reach their full potential. Founded by military veteran and mother Margo Jordan, the program helps improve academic outcomes, mental health, and youth violence prevention. On the back end, cutting-edge technology captures student progress and provides data-driven insights for caregivers and educators.

After an impressive pitch, the judges named Enrichly the winner of the Startup Showcase, resulting in a $500,000 check that will support company growth and its mission to build healthy self-esteem in students through captivating digital games and technology that adapts to student progress.

"I am so grateful to Venture Atlanta, BIP Ventures, Catalyst by Wellstar, Florida Funders, and Knoll Ventures for this incredible opportunity for growth," said Enrichly founder Margo Jordan. "Since its first iteration, I knew that the personal development education that Enrichly offers would change lives. It's encouraging to have our esteemed new investor partners echo that belief."

Congrats to Enrichly on being selected by the judges as this year’s top Seed Stage company!

Other Finalists in This Category:

Betty’s Co: Women’s healthcare that meets patients where they are.

Bleach Cyber: Managed cloud security for small businesses.

Care Sherpa: Patient engagement and support services.

Early Stage: Rainforest

Rainforest is a payment processing platform built specifically for software companies. Founded by Joshua Silver, the “payments as a service” company specializes in helping software companies integrate payments inside their products. 

Already, Rainforest has helped clients process hundreds of millions in payments per year. In the coming months, Rainforest is especially focused on industries going through digitization, such as the healthcare space and the trucking industry.

Congrats to Rainforest on being selected by the judges as this year’s top Early Stage company!

Other Finalists in This Category:

Everykey: Bluetooth device that replaces your keys and passwords using military-grade security.

AdPipe: Marketing platform helping marketers create, distribute, and track custom motion graphics from existing videos.

Growth Stage: Cloud Range

Cloud Range is a comprehensive, customizable cyber readiness solution. Founder and CEO Debbie Gordan describes it as “the flight simulator for cyber attacks.” The B2B solution was built to ensure that companies’ cybersecurity teams are ready for any attack at any time, and the platform includes fully integrated toolsets, thousands of scenarios, and customized learning plans.

The platform boasts an impressive usage rate of 100%, with 97% of customers renewing their contracts year-over-year. Cloud Range is continuing to grow, with the state of Florida already signed on to the service and plans to work with more government and military organizations in the near future.

Congrats to Cloud Range on being selected by the judges as this year’s top Growth Stage company!

Other Finalists in This Category:

6AM City: Hyperlocal media company focused on activating communities through daily email newsletters.

Betr: User-friendly fantasy and sports betting app.

What Our Attendees Had to Say

Don’t just take it from us. Here’s what our attendees had to say.

“Best conference experience I have ever had!”

“One of my favorite events of the year! No better way to keep a pulse on the markets than to get out there and meet people face to face.” 

“Thank you Venture Atlanta Conference for the connection of a lifetime.”

“The Female Founders in Innovation Dinner was beyond epic! It was pure magic! Over 150 powerhouse women (founders, funders, mentors, and advisors) joined. I couldn’t imagine a better way to cap off the Venture Atlanta Conference.”

“Last week's Venture Atlanta Conference was one for the books.  The conference itself was a hubbub of activity, meetings, speakers, pitches, networking and connections. Plus there was the Venture Crawl, happy hours, Alumni Dinner, a female founders meetup, and the Female Founder dinner. Thanks to everyone who made last week everything that it was. I am so grateful to be in this eco-system, surrounded by so many hard-working, ethical, innovative, collaborative people.”

“Venture Atlanta this year was the best professional event I've ever been to. It stands out from other startup conferences because of its dedicated focus on connecting founders and investors. They limit the amount of mainstage "keynote" speakers, don't try to draw a large crowd with celebrities, and have perfected the infrastructure to enable 1:1 chats. This is what venture conferences should be. Congrats to the organizers and sponsors for such a great event!”

“Had an incredible time at the Venture Atlanta conference! The energy and innovation at the event were contagious, and I'm leaving with a ton of new insights and connections.”

“My favorite event of the year! Humbled and honored to be with so many amazing, powerful, and brilliant people. The energy in the room was so positive, uplifting and inspiring.”

“Venture Atlanta was truly AMAZING. The energy, insights, and connections were nothing short of inspiring. Venture Atlanta easily makes it to my top 3 events of the year for a good reason. It's not just about the speakers and sessions; it's about the valuable conversations and connections with extraordinary individuals.”

“Another stellar Venture Atlanta Conference! The event gets better every year and mirrors the growth of the southeast as a region where both founders and investors can work together to scale world-class companies. Already looking forward to VA2024!”

"Venture Atlanta was amazing! We are already talking about next year, and we are ready to be a sponsor again!"

"I was honored to be both a participant and an attendee at Venture Atlanta this year. We received an opportunity to host or participate in 44 investor meetings!!"

Venturing Ahead

If you were lucky enough to attend this year’s conference, we hope you enjoyed the event as much as we did! As Atlanta continues to cement itself as a tech capital of the United States and the world abroad, we are proud to be a part of this ever-evolving ecosystem.

So many people came together to make Venture Atlanta 2023 our biggest and best conference yet, and we would be remiss not to extend a massive thank you to everyone involved. Thanks to the work of our 2023 Board of Directors and the support of our 90+ sponsors, we were able to host an unforgettable two-day event in the heart of the great city of Atlanta. A special thanks to our title sponsor Invesco, our Hall of Fame sponsor JP Morgan, and headline sponsors Cherry Bekaert, ExtensisHR, MMM Law, Bank of America, and Marketwake.
And don’t forget to save the date for Venture Atlanta 2024 returning to The Woodruff Arts Center on October 8th and 9th, 2024. Keep up with all Venture Atlanta news and announcements by subscribing to our newsletter or following along on X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Green technology, often known as "climate technology," is shaping our future. As the global community becomes more aware of the impact of climate change, green technology is taking center stage, providing solutions to mitigate its effects and transition us into a more sustainable future.

A recent panel discussion at the Venture Atlanta 2022 Conference, featuring moderator Jonathan Shieber of Footprint Coalition, Bill Nussey of Engage and Tech Square Ventures, and Sophie Purdom of Climate Tech VC, shed some fascinating insights on this burgeoning sector.

The entire conversation was educational and enlightening. You can watch the full 30-minute panel here:

Below are some key takeaways from the discussion.

The Rise of Climate Technology

The rise of green technology is a response to the urgent need to address our climate crisis. It's an umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of sectors, from renewable energy to food sustainability. But there's more to climate tech than just green energy and other sustainable tech.

Bill Nussey of Engage and Tech Square Ventures mentioned that there's an increasing trend in climate-focused funding, indicating the growing importance and potential profitability of this sector. He also highlighted the importance of carbon marketplaces and carbon sequestration technologies, both of which are crucial aspects of climate tech that can help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Importance of Climate Intelligence

Sophie Purdom, Managing Partner at Planeteer Capital and Co-Founder of Climate Tech VC, introduced a term that's gaining traction in the industry: "climate intelligence." This concept involves using data and analytics to better understand and manage our environmental impact, enabling businesses and governments to make more informed, sustainable decisions. As part of green technology, climate intelligence is a key tool for effective industry climate management.

The foundation of climate intelligence is data. From weather patterns and greenhouse gas emissions to energy consumption and deforestation rates, vast amounts of climate-related data are collected every day. This data is often complex and difficult to interpret, and as a result, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning each play a large role in climate intelligence. 

Emerging Sectors in Green Technology

The green technology landscape is vast and diverse, with numerous sectors demonstrating remarkable innovation and growth. The Venture Atlanta panelists highlighted several of these burgeoning areas, each playing a crucial role in our collective pursuit of a more sustainable future.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy

A key sector in green technology is renewable and sustainable energy. This field focuses on harnessing power from renewable sources such as the sun, wind, and water.

Solar energy, for instance, has seen significant advancements in recent years. The development of more efficient and affordable photovoltaic cells has made solar power more accessible than ever. Wind energy, too, is experiencing a renaissance, with offshore wind farms now a common sight in many parts of the world.

The quest for better energy storage solutions is also a hotbed of innovation. Improved battery technologies, such as advanced lithium-ion batteries and emerging solid-state batteries, are critical for storing renewable energy and ensuring a steady power supply even when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing.

Electric Vehicles

Transportation is another area where green technology is making a substantial impact. Electric vehicles (EVs) have moved from being a niche product to a mainstream choice for consumers, driven by advancements in battery technology and a growing awareness of the need to reduce carbon emissions.

Moreover, the electrification of transportation extends beyond passenger cars. Electric buses, trucks, and even ships are being developed and deployed, pointing to a future where clean, electric power propels our journeys on land and sea.

Carbon Sequestration Technologies

One of the more innovative sectors in green technology is carbon sequestration. This field focuses on capturing and storing carbon dioxide to prevent it from contributing to global warming. Techniques range from traditional methods, like reforestation and soil management, to cutting-edge technologies that capture CO2 directly from the air or at the point of emission.

The development of carbon marketplaces, where carbon credits can be bought and sold, also holds promise. These platforms can provide economic incentives for companies to reduce their carbon footprints and invest in carbon sequestration technologies.

Food Sustainability

Finally, the panelists highlighted food sustainability as a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of climate tech. Agriculture contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, making innovations in this sector vital to our climate goals.

From precision farming techniques that optimize resource use to the development of plant-based and lab-grown meats, green technology is reshaping how we produce and consume food. Furthermore, advances in supply chain management, including the use of blockchain and other tracking technologies, can help reduce food waste and make our food systems more efficient and transparent.

The Future of Climate Technology

As we continue to grapple with the realities of climate change, the importance of green technology will only increase. However, the panelists agreed that collaboration is vital to its success. Governments, corporations, and startups must work together to promote climate tech advancements and ensure their widespread adoption.

Moreover, the panelists emphasized the need for ongoing innovation. As Nussey pointed out, “It's not just about existing technologies but about developing new ones that can further mitigate the effects of climate change.” From breakthroughs in battery storage for renewable energy to advances in carbon capture and sequestration, the future of green technology is exciting and full of potential.

The Role of Venture in Advancing Green Technology

Venture capital plays an indispensable role in the development and growth of green technology. By providing crucial funding and support, venture capitalists are enabling innovative startups to push the boundaries of what's possible in the realm of climate technology. Their investments are driving advancements in a variety of sectors, from renewable energy and electric vehicles to food sustainability and climate intelligence.

The conversations taking place at forums like Venture Atlanta are a testament to this growing interest in green technology from the venture capital community. As our panelists noted, there's a palpable shift in the business world towards more sustainable technology and solutions. This shift is being fueled in large part by venture capital, and as we continue to navigate the climate crisis, the role of venture in green technology will only become more important.

FAQ

What is green technology?

Green technology, also referred to as environmental technology, sustainable tech, or clean technology, is a broad term that encompasses methods, materials, and techniques used to preserve the environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and utilize resources efficiently. It includes renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, electric vehicles, energy-efficient appliances, carbon sequestration technologies, and more. Green technology is a key component in the global effort to combat climate change and build a sustainable future.

Why invest in green technology?

With the increasing global focus on sustainability, green technology sectors offer significant growth potential. From renewable energy to carbon marketplaces, these investments can yield substantial returns. Moreover, as businesses and governments are urged to reduce their carbon footprints, demand for green technologies is expected to rise, making them a sound investment. 

What are some examples of green technology?

Green technology covers a broad array of tools, systems, and applications. Examples include solar panels and wind turbines for generating renewable energy, electric vehicles for sustainable transportation, energy-efficient appliances that reduce power consumption, and smart grids that optimize energy use. Additionally, climate intelligence software for analyzing environmental data, carbon sequestration technologies that capture and store carbon dioxide, and sustainable agriculture methods promoting food sustainability are also part of green technology.

How does technology affect climate change positively?

Technology can have a positive impact on climate change by offering solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve natural resources. For instance, renewable energy technologies like wind and solar power can replace fossil fuels, reducing carbon emissions. Electric vehicles and energy-efficient appliances can lower energy consumption. 

How does technology affect climate change negatively?

While technology has brought countless benefits, it can also negatively impact climate change. For instance, the production and use of many technologies can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, which exacerbate global warming. Industries such as manufacturing, transportation, and energy production often use technology that relies on fossil fuels, leading to high carbon emissions. Furthermore, the disposal of electronic waste can also harm the environment if not done properly.

Describe how the use of clean technology contributes to a green economy.

Clean technology, an integral part of green technology, is pivotal in shaping a green economy. It includes technologies that use renewable materials and energy, emit fewer greenhouse gases, and have a minimal impact on the environment. By investing in clean technology, economies can shift from fossil fuel-dependent practices to sustainable ones, thereby reducing their carbon footprint. Clean tech stimulates economic growth by creating new jobs in sectors like renewable energy, electric vehicles, and climate tech sectors.

Venture Atlanta 2023

Check out more thought-provoking conversations from industry leaders by visiting our YouTube channel or reading our blog. And don’t forget that registration for Venture Atlanta 2023 is open now. Don’t miss out — register today! 

The startup industry in 2025 is more dynamic and more competitive than ever before. Founders are navigating a landscape defined by emerging technologies, urgent global challenges, and shifting investor priorities.

While some sectors are rapidly accelerating due to breakthroughs in artificial intelligence or geopolitical demand for defense innovation, others are evolving more quietly, redefining infrastructure, healthcare, and enterprise operations from the inside out.

Below, we’re spotlighting the trending startup sectors that will shape the year ahead.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI continues to be a dominant player in the tech sector, and arguably one of the most successful startup industries of the decade thus far. In just the first five months of 2025, AI startups secured a record $32.9 billion in global funding, highlighting sustained momentum even with tons of uncertainty in the broader market.

Subfields like agentic AI are dominating early-stage investment. Startups such as Cognition AI are building AI agents capable of performing complex tasks on their own, with their flagship product, Devin. It functions as a fully autonomous software engineer, handling long-term reasoning, planning, and complex engineering tasks independently. 

In March 2025, Cognition reached a valuation of $4 billion after a new funding round led by 8VC. In short? We’re seeing that investors are hungry for AI agents in enterprise.

Fintech

Fintech remains one of the best industries to start a business, with more than 29,955 fintech startups operating globally as of 2025. The sector is growing at an annual rate of 5.38%, with projections to reach a market size of $686.85 billion by 2030.

Fintech is driving innovation across both B2B and consumer markets through embedded finance, AI-powered risk modeling, decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems, and advancements in real-time payment infrastructure. This startup industry is reshaping how money moves and how trust is built in today’s global economy.

Healthtech

Healthtech is experiencing a renewed surge in funding, with venture capital investment increasing 30.4% in Q1 2025, totaling $3.5 billion across 185 deals. The sector is shifting toward preventative care and personalized health data platforms, often powered by AI. 

Venture Atlanta 2024 speaker, Catalyst by Wellstar, is a prime example of adapting AI to become more personalized for patient plans and automating tasks for healthcare providers so they can spend more time with their patients. These emerging startup trends in healthcare are improving day-to-day efficiency for professionals and proving to be a top investment for founders.

Logistics 

The logistics industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with the global market projected to grow from $11.23 trillion in 2025 to $23.14 trillion by 2034. This growth is driven by advancements in supply chain tech, the rise of e-commerce, and increased demand for efficient last-mile solutions.

Startups in this space are modernizing freight management, warehouse automation, and route optimization through technologies like AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain. Logistics is rapidly becoming a promising startup industry for tackling complex infrastructure and delivery challenges at scale.

Life Sciences

Life sciences is a booming startup industry, with the global market expected to grow from $88.15 billion in 2024 to $239.56 billion by 2033. These startups are leading innovation in biotechnology, diagnostics, gene therapies, and precision medicine.

Fueled by increasing demand for personalized treatments and massive investment in R&D, this sector is producing some of the most impactful and scalable innovations in healthcare today. As a result, life sciences remains one of the most successful startup industries with strong investor confidence.

Enterprise AI SaaS

Enterprise AI SaaS is reshaping how modern businesses scale, automate, and make decisions, evolving far beyond the debates about whether or not SaaS is dead. One sign of this momentum is IBM’s $500 million Enterprise AI Venture Fund, which launched in late 2023. The goal of this fund is to accelerate the growth of startups developing AI tools for real-world enterprise applications, fueling innovation across sectors like customer service, sales enablement, and operations.

Whether it’s AI-driven analytics, predictive ops, or workflow automation, this startup industry is addressing a massive market hungry for smarter, faster, and more scalable business tools. At our Kick-off event this year, Rob Bearden, Founder and CEO of Sema4.ai, explained that in the long term, he sees multi-billion-dollar companies being built and run with less than 100 people on staff due to the automation capabilities of AI. 

With demand surging across sectors, enterprise AI SaaS is solidifying its place among the top-growing industries 2025 has to offer.

Cybersecurity 

Cybersecurity continues to be a critical focus in the tech startup sector, with the market projected to grow from $245.62 billion in 2024 to $500.70 billion by 2030. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, demand for next-gen solutions has surged.

Startups are innovating with AI-powered detection tools, zero-trust frameworks, and proactive defense systems to meet the needs of both enterprises and government agencies. 

Defense Tech

Defense tech is seeing a wave of venture activity, with investments reaching $3 billion in 2024, an 11% year-over-year increase. Startups are building AI-enabled surveillance systems, autonomous drones, and secure communication platforms that serve both military and commercial use.

A standout example is Shield AI, a San Diego-based startup that raised $200 million to scale its AI pilot software used in military aircraft. With its valuation hitting $2.7 billion, Shield AI exemplifies how dual-use innovation is attracting serious capital and accelerating U.S. defense modernization through the private sector.

Cloud/Edge/AI Ops (Infrastructure) 

As data processing shifts away from centralized cloud environments, edge computing is expected to handle 74% of all global data by 2030. This evolution is creating massive demand for startups that can build infrastructure at the intersection of AI, cloud, and edge.

These companies are enabling faster data processing, reduced latency, and AI model deployment closer to the source. For founders focused on long-term utility and resilience, infrastructure innovation represents one of the most foundational emerging startup trends.

Deeptech/Robotics 

The deeptech and robotics sector is expanding rapidly, with the market projected to reach $714.6 billion by 2031, growing at a remarkable CAGR of 48.2%. This startup industry is pushing boundaries in quantum computing, AI-powered robotics, and next-gen sensors.

These innovations are already driving transformation in industries like advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare. With high technical barriers and big societal payoffs, this is one of the best industries to start a business for founders with deep domain expertise.

Space Tech

Space Tech continues to ascend, attracting over $6 billion in annual venture funding globally over the past two years. Startups in this sector are building everything from small satellite networks to orbital debris cleanup platforms.

Commercial applications like telecom and earth imaging are fueling investment alongside renewed interest in space exploration and defense. With both government contracts and private capital in play, Space Tech is a high-potential frontier for innovation.

Where Does the Startup Industry Go From Here?

Across every corner of the startup industry, innovation is accelerating. Whether it's artificial intelligence transforming enterprise workflows, fintech reimagining how money moves, or defense tech reshaping national security, 2025 is delivering urgency and opportunity.

Startups that align with these fast-moving trends, solve real problems, and scale with purpose will be the ones shaping the future of business and society. For founders and investors, this year’s top startup industries are more than hot sectors; they’re the blueprint for what’s next.

Eager to see these industries in action? Register for Venture Atlanta 2025 to see the top emerging startup tech companies in the Southeast!

FAQ

Which Industries Are Getting the Most Startup Funding in 2025?

AI startups have secured a record-breaking $32.9 billion in funding over the first five months of 2025. Fintech startups globally raised a combined $10.3 billion in Q1 2025, marking the highest level of funding since Q1 2023.

What Are the Fastest-Growing Startup Industries for First-Time Founders?

AI, Fintech, Healthtech, and Logistics are among the fastest-growing startup industries in 2025. These sectors offer ample opportunities for innovation and growth, making them ideal for first-time founders.

Where Can I Find Reliable Data on Startup Trends?

Reliable data on startup trends can be found through resources like PitchBook, CB Insights, and industry-specific reports. These platforms provide insights into funding activity, market size, and projected growth across various startup sectors.

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