Search anytime by typing ABOUT US BUSINESSES COX CONSERVES PEOPLE CAREERS CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY NEWS Home About Us Tech Ecosystem Techstars Atlanta TECH ECOSYSTEM TECHSTARS ATLANTA TECHSTARS IMPACT ENGAGE OTHER PROGRAMS Techstars Atlanta Techstars is an internationally recognized startup accelerator that helps entrepreneurs boost their early-stage businesses and product development efforts through education and funding. For 90 days, 10 startups work in a creative space in the heart of midtown Atlanta, receiving expert counsel and support from a network of more than 100 local mentors — including dozens of Cox employees. The program concludes with a Demo Day presentation, during which the companies pitch their business ideas to Cox executives and a crowd of potential investors from around the world. Cox Enterprises was a founding sponsor of Techstars Atlanta and has remained the presenting sponsor since 2016. Accomplishments One of the Cox’s primary goals in our Techstars partnership is to elevate the city of Atlanta’s status as a tech hub and center for innovation. In just three classes, Techstars Atlanta has helped dramatically alter the startup landscape in Atlanta, creating a burgeoning network of successful entrepreneurs with growing businesses. More than 25 percent of the companies in the program relocated to Atlanta after completion. The first three classes have collectively raised over $40 million since completing the Techstars program. Our Techstars portfolio includes a healthy mix of enterprise and consumer-focused companies run by founders with diverse backgrounds in variety of industries. Portfolio Overview 2020 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 Team David Payne MANAGING DIRECTOR David Payne is the managing director of Techstars Atlanta. Previously, he was cofounder and CEO of Scoutmob, one of the most successful consumer startups to launch from Atlanta, and Switchyards Downtown Club, one of the main startup hubs in Atlanta. David blogs regularly about startups at www.realfounderlessons.com and tweets at @davempayne. Hannah Turner PROGRAM MANAGER Hannah Turner is the program manager for Techstars Atlanta. Before joining Techstars, she worked in the nonprofit sector for organizations like Fernbank Museum of Natural History and Zoo Atlanta. Her background includes event planning, operations, marketing and sales. She’s married to an entrepreneur and has two kids. Mentor Spotlight Vickie Rodgers VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Cox Communications “I enjoy the strategy and planning aspect of startups. Many of these entrepreneurs are strong in engineering or product development, but they may not have a sales and marketing background. Many times, I can help them take a great idea and better think through how they would develop their go-to-market strategy.” Vickie Rodgers Abhi Ghosh Greg Hearn Kim Shriver Current class mentors NEIL PAINE Cox Communications Bundl BILLY GREINEISEN Cox Enterprises Coworks MARK LEWIS Cox Enterprises Coworks NATALIE FIGUEREO Cox Communications MaxReward GREG HEARN Cox Automotive RentCheck VICKIE RODGERS Cox Communications RentCheck DEREK ROBINSON Cox Media Group StreetMetrics JOSH SOMMER Cox Communications StreetMetrics EDEN DONIGER Cox Enterprises Talented JUDY TRAIN Cox Communications Talented ABOUT US Leadership Message What we stand for History Corporate Leadership Tech Ecosystem Suppliers COVID-19 Response BUSINESSES Cox Communications Cox Automotive New Ventures COX CONSERVES Operations Employee Actions Partners Communities PEOPLE Benefits Career Ownership CAREERS CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY Team Cox Inclusion & Diversity Corporate Giving James M. Cox Foundation NEWS PRIVACY POLICY APPLICANT PRIVACY POLICY ABOUT ADS CALIFORNIA PRIVACY NOTICE TERMS OF USE CODE OF CONDUCT SITEMAP ©2021 COX ENTERPRISES, INC