Digital Furnace was soon up and running and entered the ATDC fold. Yet Lappington changed his mind about ATDC s value as Digital Furnace moved forward. By providing office space, phone and computer systems along with access to a network of attorneys and other service providers, the incubator eliminates a myriad of details that can distract entrepreneurs. A professor in Georgia Tech s College of Computing , Limb continued teaching. Other universities allow faculty to consult with industry, but Georgia Tech bends over backward to help, Limb maintains.
Students here are on the leading edge of technology.
When given a problem, they can understand it and attack it quickly. If you re solving a problem that everyone knows about, large companies are undoubtedly working on it too. Even with his 20-plus years of business savvy, Lappington appreciated ATDC s counseling. By the time the start-up was ready for venture capital, there were more offers on the table than necessary, Howard says. Indeed, Digital Furnace s exponential growth reflects a new trend in collaboration as independent university programs partner together in the spirit of economic development.