Past Events

Our panel of experts discussed the following:

How is the entrepreneur experience similar and/or different?
What is the current state of women and people of color entrepreneurship in the Atlanta tech community?
What were your key factors in building a successful business – and what unique challenges have you faced?
How can our community intentionally promote and support diverse entrepreneurs?
What are the ways Atlanta tech companies can promote diversity on their board of directors and advisory councils?
What steps should VCs take to increase funding and support of tech companies led by diverse leaders?

September 21, 2021

A Master-Class in Technology Marketing: C-suite snapshot of best practices in marketing today

Hear from five experts in five rapid-fire, six-minute presentations on how they’ve used marketing strategies to generate revenue by:

Crafting lead generation programs that count
Building a brand that delivers bottom-line benefits
Protecting your marketing IP
Ensuring customer marketing delivers revenue
Demystifying data-driven marketing

August 17, 2021

Ransomware Prevention: Best Practices for Reducing Your Technology Exposure and Legal Liability (And Saving Your Job!)

Join us while our expert panel addresses these critical topics for tech entrepreneurs:

What is ransomware?
What is the standard of care for a tech company to prevent a ransomware attack?
How involved should your board of directors be in addressing risk management issues relating to ransomware?
What is the current insurance coverage for ransomware attacks and how expensive are the premiums?
If I’m a victim of a ransomware attack, should I pay the ransom?

July 20, 2021

The Convergence of FinTech and Software

(This video has been edited to remove areas when technical difficulties occurred during the live meeting.)

Join us this session for our expert panel of leading fintech and software executives, investors and advisors on critical topics for tech entrepreneurs:

How are software companies positioning themselves to maximize their payments opportunity?
How are payments leaders driving the convergence with software?
What KPIs should I evaluate as my business evolves?
Does participating more in payments create a channel conflict?
What impact does this trend have on valuation?
Are there different exit opportunities available for my business?

June 15, 2021

SPACs & IPOs – What Every Tech Company Needs to Know (and Private Equity or a Strategic Buyer as an alternative!)

Join us this session for our expert panel of leading tech investors and advisors on these critical topics for tech entrepreneurs:

What is a SPAC and how does it impact my tech company?
What impact has the rise of SPACs had on valuations?
Should my tech company merge with a SPAC – and does this make me a public company?
Is it time to consider an IPO (and how does this compare to merging with a SPAC)?
What are the other (best) financing alternatives for a fast-growing tech company?
What are the costs for doing an IPO or merging with a SPAC?
Private equity versus IPO – what are the pros and cons in today’s market?
How long will the SPAC/IPO markets remain open?
What are the legal and regulatory issues in the SPAC and IPO markets?

May 18, 2021

Technology Executive Compensation & Talent Acquisition -- New Trends Impacting Tech Companies

Join us this session for our meeting on the highlights from the 2021 Technology Executives Compensation Survey – with data from tech companies in Atlanta, Charlotte, Florida & SC

Key Topics and Questions to be discussed:

How to find & attract talent in the tech sector
Designing an effective compensation plan to attract, motivate and retain top executives
Understanding tax & contract issues in comp plans & employee agreements
Key issues and latest trends in negotiating executive compensation packages
Recruiting and compensation issues after COVID-19

April 20, 2021

VIDEO CONFERENCE: International Expansion – Where to Open Your International Office in 2021

Join us this session for our meeting on International Expansion: Where to Open Your International Office in 2021

Key Topics and Questions to be discussed:

Many US tech companies have selected England, Ireland, France or the Netherlands as headquarters for their international expansion -- what are the competitive advantages of each country?
Where can US tech companies find talent in other countries? How important is it to have a country manager who is native to the international country – and how do you hire them?
What corporate/business structure is optimal for international expansion?
What are the tax and economic development benefits available in other countries to tech companies wanting to open an office there?
What are the three biggest problems a US company will face in entering a non-US market and how can they be avoided?

March 16, 2021

VIDEO CONFERENCE: Post-Pandemic Office - How will the workplace evolve?

Join us this session for our meeting on the Post-Pandemic Office – How will the workplace evolve?

Key Topics and Questions to be discussed:

1. What is the Hybrid Work Model?

2. Benefits to the physical office vs WFH (or WFA)

3. When are companies targeting a return to the office?

4. How will you address health & safety issues upon returning to the office?

5. Things learned about the workplace during Covid-19 that will endure

6. Are companies reducing their office space?

7. How has remote working impacted the office market?

February 16, 2021

VIDEO CONFERENCE: Venture Capital Investing in 2021– New Trends, Deal Terms & Valuation Surprises

Join us this session for our meeting on venture capital investing in 2021: New Trends, Deal Terms & Valuation Surprises.

Key questions to be addressed include:

What is the current state of the venture/equity markets in Georgia and the Southeast?
What’s the difference between venture capital and growth equity?
What types of companies are of interest to venture/growth funds?
What are the hot areas for future technology investment?
What is happening to valuations with technology companies?
How should an entrepreneur prepare for meetings with prospective investors?

January 19, 2021

VIDEO CONFERENCE: 2021 Accounting, Tax & Legal Update: WHAT EVERY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY NEEDS TO KNOW IN 2021

Video download

Powerpoint download

Join us this session for our 2021 Accounting, Tax & Legal Update on what every technology company needs to know in 2021.

Topics to be discussed include:

Financial reporting challenges resulting from COVID-19, including:

Preparation of forward-looking cash flow estimates
Going concern analysis
Impairment of assets
Accounting for PPP loans
Impacts on revenue recognition

Changes in income, estate and gift tax laws
Evolving employment laws and best practices after COVID-19
Financing considerations, like updates to crowdfunding rules
Other legal trends, like litigation trends and changes to patent laws.

December 15, 2020

VIDEO CONFERENCE: Economic Forecast for 2021

Join us this session where we’re learning about the relative strengths and possible weaknesses in Atlanta’s economic outlook for 2021.

Topics to be discussed include:

Economic forecast for 2021
Impact on Atlanta and our technology community
Past and current economic trends

November 17, 2020

VIDEO CONFERENCE: Tech Leadership Lessons for 2021