Curiosity Lab Showcases Its Place in the Startup Ecosystem

Curious Connections paired industry leaders with new entrepreneurs to create technology synergy.

Words by Arlinda Smith Broady Photography by George Hunter

The Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners recently held its first learning and development day to give startups and entrepreneurs a look at what the incubator has to offer. Curious Connections, the Dec. 1 event, was co-sponsored by OVHCloud and T-Mobile and connected newbies with industry leaders who shared insights into all aspects of launching and developing startups. Attendees learned about Curiosity Lab’s robust resources and program offerings. “It was kind of our kickoff to rebuilding and reestablishing the startup ecosystem and partners, and the community as a whole,” said Brandon Branham, Curiosity Lab Executive Director and City of Peachtree Corners Assistant City Manager and Chief Technology Officer. “It was really about getting all of the different innovation centers across Metro Atlanta to work and collaborate together because we all offer different things.” With Curiosity Lab and other innovation centers each offering a unique experience for the vast community of local startups, the common goal of driving Georgia forward will be accomplished, he explained. “From the standpoint that a rising tide lifts all boats, we wanted to kick off the introduction with a longer day,” Branham said. The event was designed to bring resources to the startup community, and to attract entrepreneurs to a space that’s geared toward their success. “We wanted to give them some background and information to help them as they go into this journey and learn from the past experiences of other startups and unicorns,” said Branham. “We were fortunate to have some of the panelists that we did.” Program partners included OVHcloud, which provides startups and scaleups with free public cloud credits and technical support; Shadow-Soft, which helps growing companies modernize infrastructure and applications; and Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), which provides a unique framework of curriculum, coaching, connection and community. Attendees also had access to Georgia Tech’s resources, research expertise and student talent and The Single Mom Network, an organization that connects single moms to the resources they need.

Showcasing help for newbies

The event started off with a panel discussion on how to build a long-term business plan and a well-rounded team. Participants heard from human resources, legal and business development industry leaders on how a strong business plan and robust team go hand in hand when launching a startup. Branham pointed out that corporate attorney Justin Daniels sold his company for $1.1 billion. His expertise is in emerging growth and mid-

Opposite page, Driven360 Founder Mike Caudill kicks off the first panel of the day, discussing how to build a long-term business plan and well-rounded team with panelists (from left to right) Shane Matthews, Professional Advisor at ATDC; Jim Schutz, Partner at Troutman Pepper; and Justin Daniels, Corporate M&A Counsel, Blockchain, Cybersecurity at Baker Donelson. Above, Strategy and Partnership at Pipedream Justin Robinson (pictured right) expands upon how startups can make the jump to the revenue phase, joined by (from right to left) Co-Founder and President at ITAD Tech Andrew Armour, Shadow-Soft EVP, Strategy and Innovation Kurt Baumberger and moderated by Driven360 Account Supervisor Kelsey Neely. As the quarterly sessions progress, they will dig deeper into some areas of interest that were touched on during the December event’s panel discussion. Branham said that there will also be focuses on other important topics like ‘What is customer discovery?’.

Taking companies to the next level

dle-market technology companies throughout the world. “To have someone like that volunteer his time and experience is just incredible,” said Branham. “I think for the community to be able to have someone like that to learn from, and then have many others at his level of expertise covering different topics …is the kind of educational approach that helps startups.” He added that it was also a boon to have Shadow-Soft, known for helping companies grow and scale as they build, as well as OVHcloud’s new startup program to assist startups through mentorships. The Single Moms Network, with its program focused on getting single moms certified and ready for job placement, was also on hand. The next Curious Connections event is tentatively scheduled for March. The old saying “If you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door,” doesn’t apply in modern times. Today’s entrepreneurs must discern whether their product or service is a good fit for the market, and decide where the right customers are.

“Once you say, ‘Hey, I have this idea,’ how do you find that customer base, and what’s their approach to that?” said Branham. “So, really going deeper into those individual conversations is one thing we’ll do moving forward.”

Branham mentioned other changes in coming months, such as more networking aspects, smaller roundtable conversations and a round-robin approach where attendees are not sitting next to the same people throughout the entire session.

“In the end, the resources and the right coaching mechanisms will get startups through those stages of growth. And that’s really the support system we can bring,” Branham said.

He added that another feather in the Curiosity Lab hat is the long-standing expertise at Georgia Tech’s ATDC, with access to classes and growing partnerships that will provide infrastructure for expansion. A prototype lab and a system to scale models from a university setting to a larger city are among the components offered. Although Curiosity Lab has been around for three years, it’s now realizing its full potential. The December event was a way for Peachtree Corners and Curiosity Lab to show their support for Atlanta’s startup ecosystem. “We’re showing that Curiosity Lab and Peachtree Corners want to be part of the wave that is starting to help that new generation of startups that are going to become those next big companies,” Branham said. ■ Select Theatres & Streaming Tickets & Information: AJFF.org