Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

From Atlanta, GA:

Looking to raise capital for your tech-enabled start-up? If so, here’s your opportunity to get on stage and share your ideas with Atlanta investors and the world.

It’s the annual Venture Atlanta conference scheduled for October 15 and 16 at The Woodruff Arts Center and Atlanta Symphony Hall. Deadline to apply is August 8 at this link. Eligibility is limited to companies located in the greater Southeast, specifically Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

The Cox Cleantech Accelerator, a partnership between Cox Enterprises, gener8tor, and the Georgia Cleantech Innovation Hub, has announced a new cohort of five start-ups focused on improving efficiency and infrastructure in the Southeast through innovative cleantech solutions.

Launched in 2024 as part of Cox’s commitment to invest more than $2 billion in sustainable businesses and technologies, and led by Miguel Granier, Managing Director, the 12-week accelerator program supports promising start-ups working to build a cleaner, more resilient Southeast.

The five companies selected for this cohort include:

• FNN, which is transforming utility and wildlife response with artificial intelligence (AI)-powered lightning detection that pinpoints damage and ignitions in real time.
• Uptime Analytics, which helps technicians and engineers boost industrial asset performance with AI-driven applications that optimize energy use, reduce emissions, and mitigate risk.
• Prezerv, which maps underground utilities using AI to prevent costly delays and safety risks in urban construction.
• Stak Mobility, which reclaims urban space with automated vertical parking towers that integrate electric vehicle charging and mobile self-service.
• WhyGrene, which optimizes distributed energy systems with an all-in-one platform that helps utilities, businesses, and microgrids plan, manage, and coordinate clean energy assets.

Each start-up in the accelerator receives a $100,000 investment, mentorship from Cox business leaders, and hands-on support in product development, customer acquisition, and fundraising.

From Northeast Alabama:

A newly formed regional economic development organization representing nine counties across Northeast Alabama, has announced a landmark partnership with three leading educational and workforce innovation programs to drive economic prosperity and workforce transformation across the region.

According to a report in 256 Today, ONE East Alabama was established to position Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Etowah, Randolph, St. Clair, Tallapoosa, and Talladega counties as a premier business destination through a strategic focus on economic development, education, workforce readiness, and tourism.

Executive Director Kelley Pearce said uniting these efforts is an important step to ensure that economic opportunity is equitable and far-reaching — especially in smaller towns that have historically lacked access to robust resources.

“This collaboration is not just about building a workforce — it’s about building a future,” said Pearce. “By leveraging the innovative work of CREATE, EARTH, and the Challenger Learning Center, we are establishing a comprehensive economic ecosystem that prepares our students for high-paying careers, supports our local industries, and attracts investment into our communities.”

From Winston-Salem, NC:

ConvergeSouth 2025 has selected 75 start-ups to exhibit at the event that will occur September 4 and 5 at Biotech Place at Innovation Quarter in Winston-Salem.

The companies (click here for the full list) range from those in Agtech and artificial intelligence to Business-to-Business (B2B), B2B Software-as-a-Service, B2B-to-Consumers, Business-to-Consumers, Biotech, Blockchain, cybersecurity, devices, Edtech, food and beverage, and HealthTech.

Three keynote speakers have been announced – two on the first day and one on the second day. They are:

1. Matt Watterman, Co-Founder of LongRun Solutions;
2. Joe Mancini, Co-Founder and General Partner at Front Porch Ventures; and
3. Vincent Hunt, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bureau of Creative Intelligence.

Tickets are available at this link.

From Research Triangle Park, NC:

Biogen Inc. recently announced it intends to invest an additional $2 billion in its existing manufacturing footprint in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park (RTP).

Since breaking ground in 1995, Biogen’s manufacturing in RTP has played a vital role in delivering the company’s pipeline and portfolio of innovative treatments for millions of patients around the world. Biogen has invested approximately $10 billion in its North Carolina manufacturing footprint to date, including more than $3 billion in recent years, and this upcoming investment will fuel the continued advancement of Biogen’s late stage clinical pipeline.

In the next few years, Biogen plans to continue investing in multiple modalities and factories across the company’s two campuses in RTP. These investments will include further expansion of the antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) capabilities and infrastructure, establishing clinical and commercial multi-platform fill finish capabilities, and continuing to modernize manufacturing technologies and controls through further advanced automation and artificial intelligence.

From St. Petersburg, FL:

The Tampa Bay Innovation Center (TBIC) has named Rebecca Brown as its new CEO. Brown, a former Goldman Sachs executive and Founder of Core Satellite Partners, has more than 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, finance and innovation.

Best known for co-founding the consumer brand Solemates and mentoring tech founders through Tampa Bay Wave, Brown steps into the role as the Innovation Center prepares for a full rebrand, according to a statement.

“Rebecca’s entrepreneurial spirit, operational expertise, and passion for fostering innovation make her the ideal leader to drive our mission forward,” said Cathie Wood, Founder and CEO of ARK Invest and chair of TBIC’s board.

The rebrand and strategic overhaul are expected to roll out in the coming months, with updated programming and identity aimed at empowering tech founders, investors and future innovators across the region.

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