
Venture Atlanta Startup Showcase Live


Overview
Venture Atlanta Startup Showcase Live is a unique opportunity for pre-seed and seed-stage companies to step into the spotlight at the annual Venture Atlanta conference, present to well-known investors, and compete for a $500K investment prize! Venture Atlanta has partnered with some of the Southeast’s most active funds – Catalyst by Wellstar, Florida Funders, Knoll Ventures, and BIP Ventures to host one of the largest pitch competitions to date.

All software and tech-enabled service businesses are encouraged to apply. Eligible startups have a product/service that’s live or in beta form and have measurable performance indicators such as revenue, customers, successful beta results, etc. Generally speaking, companies that are generating less than $500K in revenue run-rate, have raised <$1M in external capital, and are seeking to raise $2M or less in the next 12-18 months.
Click here to read the Terms and Conditions.


Mark
Buffington

John D.
Cooper

Richard
Fraim

Ryan
Whitemore
SCHEDULE
5.10.23
Applications Open
7.28.23
Applications Close
8.17.23
Companies Notified Privately If Selected to Participate in Venture Atlanta
Being selected to participate at Venture Atlanta comes with numerous benefits (see our Pitch page for more details), but it does not guarantee that you will be involved in the Venture Atlanta Startup Showcase Live Pitch Competition. Of the participating pre-seed / seed-stage companies, only the top ten startups will be selected to pitch at Venture Atlanta. These will be revealed at our party on 9.13 (see below!).
8.30.23
Venture Atlanta Companies Announced Publicly
Our audience eagerly awaits this announcement every year! You’ll automatically get visibility on our site, through the press release, in our announcement email, and in our announcement social posts.
9.13.23
Startup Showcase Live Announcement Party
We will be hosting a party to reveal the top ten seed-stage companies that will get to pitch on stage at Venture Atlanta! This party is exclusively for showcase companies and members of the Venture Atlanta recruiting and screening committee.
9.27.23 & 9.28.23
Venture Atlanta 2023
FAQS
Your application to Venture Atlanta serves as your application to the Startup Showcase Live! competition. Submit your application here. It’s free, so there’s no risk!
This pitch competition is for pre-seed or seed-stage companies in the Southeast (as far west as Texas and as far north as D.C.)
In certain instances, “pre-revenue” companies may be selected to pitch if the company is building an advanced technology solution.
All software and tech-enabled service businesses are encouraged to apply. Eligible startups have a product/service that’s live or in beta form and has measurable performance indicators such as revenue, customers, successful beta results, etc.
The winner will receive a $500K investment prize and gain many valuable resources as they exchange equity to the VCs and join their portfolio. Please see our Terms and Conditions or contact us for more information.
Mark Buffington

Mark has led investment rounds in more than 80 companies in numerous industries (Healthcare, Digital Media, Ed Tech, Enterprise SaaS, FinTech, and Advanced Computing). Notable investments include Vendormate, Ingenious Med, QA Symphony/Tricentis, PlayOn! Sports, Huddle Tickets, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Cypress.io, ConnexPay, REACH Health, Trella Health, Shareholder InSite and Aspirion Health Resources.
Mark earned an MBA from the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University and a B.S. from the Georgia Institute of Technology (where he lettered as a varsity baseball player).
Mark serves on the board of directors of several companies, including the NFHS Network, AchieveIt, Trella Health, PlayOn! Sports, UserIQ and ConnexPay. He also serves on several nonprofit boards, including Buckhead Coalition, Inc. and the Georgia Tech College of Computing.
John D. Cooper

Richard Fraim

Ryan Whitemore

Ryan is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Finance as well as an MBA, and a Juris Doctor from Stetson College of Law, and is a licensed attorney in Florida. Ryan outkicked his coverage with his amazing wife Ashley, and loves spending his time with his little girl Finley and son Kohl! When not changing diapers, Ryan is an avid fisherman and spearfisherman, paddleboarder, and golfer. Ryan also
has given his time as a board member of Venture Atlanta, a board member at the Florida Poly University Foundation, a past board member of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and co-founded the 1Voice Foundation for Childrens Cancer.