Co-sponsored by the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) and Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the business launch competition is a public-private partnership that focuses on the information security and IP convergence technology sectors. The competition, which is open to the public, will end on May 18, 2006 at Georgia Public Broadcasting in Atlanta, when the four finalists present their business plans.
"We are very pleased to have such broad interest in the competition in its inaugural year," said C. Michael Cassidy, president and CEO of GRA. "We have come across some exciting concepts in our initial review of the submissions that serve as proof that entrepreneurship is alive and well in Georgia."
According to Sid Elliott, BellSouth Corp.'s executive in residence at GRA and the lead organizer of the event, a group of 16 entrants will be selected and encouraged to submit more detailed formal entries by April 19. From this group, eight will be chosen as semifinalists, and four of them will make presentations on May 18 to some of Georgia's most high-profile technology executives, who will then select one overall winner.
"One of the unique features of the program is that the 16 April contestants will have the opportunity to have an experienced technology entrepreneur as a mentor to help refine their plans prior to final submission," said Elliott. "We have some of the most outstanding technology executives in the state working on this program."
The judges for the event are: Garry Betty, chairman and CEO, Earthlink; Dallas Clement, senior vice president, Cox Communications; Tom Crotty, general partner, Battery Ventures; Mike Eckert, CEO, Pathfire; Marc Fleury, founder and CEO, JBoss; Sig Mosley, president of Imlay Investments; Tom Noonan, president and CEO, Internet Security Systems; Bill Smith, chief technology officer, BellSouth Corp. Chris Klaus, founder of Internet Security Systems, is among a group of key technology leaders involved in identifying the four finalists and in supporting the competition.
The overall prize winner must agree to launch the company and remain in Georgia. If the company moves out of state within three years of its launch, the $100,000 award must be repaid with eight percent interest.
