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The who’s who of Atlanta’s startup ecosystem turned out for this year’s 2023 Atlanta Startup Awards.
Now in its fifth year, the premier awards event recognizes trailblazing startups, community leaders, and non-profits making an impact in the city and beyond. Categories include the Scrappiest Startup, Best Growth Stage Startup, and Best Social Impact Startup.
This year for the first time ever Best Female-Founded Startup joined the ranks. Founder Noelle London picked up this award for her Techstars-backed startup, Illoominus. Other winners included Retaaza, Carpool Logistics, and Roots Investment Community, among others.
Organized by Atlanta-based community non-profit Startup Atlanta, the finalists represented nine award categories and three distinguished Lifetime Award Honorees. Winners were selected with the support of an external panel of judges.
This year’s theme“ATL ONWARD” recognized the resilience of the Atlanta startup community as we navigate this post-pandemic era and economic uncertainty.
“This year’s selection process was extremely competitive,” Board Member and Awards Chair of Startup Atlanta, Lexie Newhouse said prior to the event. “The achievements of these finalists perfectly embody our event theme, ‘ATL Onward,’ marking their continued resilience and growth following the pandemic and year of economic uncertainties.”
Attendees at the Atlanta Startup Awards on October 5, 2023 (photography: South Atlanta Photography)
Surthive founder Justin McLeod nabbed the 2023 Startup Atlanta Community Builder Award. “I’m incredibly humbled and honored to receive this award,” he said. “I’m committed to continue building Atlanta to be one of the top 5 tech hubs in the world through entrepreneurship and innovation and welcome any community partners who are looking to do the same.”
Jay Bailey, President and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs; Bill Connors, President of Xfinity for Comcast Cable and Visionary of Comcast NBCUniversal The Farm, and David Cummings, Founder and CEO of Atlanta Ventures and Founder of Atlanta Tech Village, were presented with Startup Atlanta’s highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Executive Director at the City of Atlanta Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Monica Delores Hooks presenting the Best Female Startup Award at the Atlanta Startup Awards on October 5, 2023 (photography) South Atlanta Photography.
More than 200 entrepreneurs, investors, and community members attended the gala-style awards dinner earlier this month at Lee + White’s Monday Night Garage in the historic West End of Atlanta.
The event was hosted by award-winning journalist Rose Scott of WABE, who also moderated a fireside chat with David Cummings, Burunda Prince, and Jenna Kurath. Donnie Beamer of the City of Atlanta also welcomed some of the honorees up on the stage.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens on stage at the Atlanta Startup Awards at Monday Night Garage on October 5, 2023
The 2023 Startup Atlanta Award presenting sponsors were Dell Technologies and Invest Atlanta. Supporting sponsors were Ackerman & Co., Finnovate io, Doux South Pickles, Wild Heaven Beer, Costa Coffee, and ServeScape. The 2023 Startup Awards media partners were South Atlanta Photography, UrbanGeekz, and Hypepotamus.
Blayne Alexander and Burunda Prince accepting the Lifetime Award on behalf on RICE’s Jay Bailey
Congratulations 2023 Atlanta Startup Awards Winners!
Best B2B Startup: Carpool LogisticsBest B2C Startup: Roots Investment CommunityBest Growth Stage Startup: CloverlyArt of the Pivot: PressoScrappiest Startup: Vaila ShoesBest Female-Founded Startup: IlloominusBest Social Impact Startup: RetaazaEquity Champion: Recha Reid (Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund)Community Builder: Justin McLeod (Surthrive)
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