Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Georgia Tech's Advanced Technology Development Center Names New Director for Savannah
Venture capitalist Jason Burr takes reins of ATDC

Savannah Business Report

Georgia Tech's Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) has named Jason Burr director of its Savannah office. With nearly a decade of experience as a venture capitalist, Burr brings to Savannah expertise in the areas of strategic planning, governance, market analysis and fundraising.

"With the presence of prolific research organizations, creative individuals and a focused economic development engine, Savannah has the resources necessary for launching and building technology startup companies," said Burr, who received an undergraduate degree from Duke University and an M.B.A. from the University of Georgia. "I am excited to be a part of the ATDC and the Savannah community to continue growing this community of early-stage companies."

Burr came to Savannah from Ann Arbor, Mich., where he was a venture capitalist with Arbor Partners, a boutique venture firm focused on information technology and enterprise software companies. He was also a co-founder and director of the Michigan Venture Capital Association, where he worked closely with the Governor and state legislature to craft the Michigan Early Stage Investment Act that created a $150 million fund to help the state's high tech startup companies obtain investment capital.

Prior to joining the ATDC last month, he served as the deal flow officer and continues to serve as a director for the Ariel Savannah Angel Partners, a local group of investors focused on early-stage, growth companies, and as a director for Coastal Business, Education and Technology Alliance of coastal Georgia and South Carolina.

Housed at the Savannah campus of Georgia Tech, ATDC is charged with increasing the technology business base in the area by helping entrepreneurs launch and build successful companies. ATDC member companies in Savannah include Evoca (www.evoca.com), Color Maria (www.colormaria.com), Storm Shelter (www.stoplightning.com), Attrasoft (www.attrasoft.com) and Pixelphish (www.pixelphish.com).

"Our company joined the ATDC for its stated value of providing us with facilities designed with startup companies in mind, instant credibility, inclusion in a network of like-minded organizations and access to strategic guidance and resources," said Dennis Page, CEO of ATDC member company Storm Shelter. "Jason has hit the ground running with his ability to provide that pertinent assistance and strategic direction. We look forward to his impact on the Savannah technology community."

Rick Winger, president of the Savannah Economic Development Authority, noted that ATDC's presence in Savannah is critical.

"Starting a new technology company is a challenging effort. The ATDC provides one of the best ways to find the assistance of seasoned professionals while leveraging the resources of the state to improve the chances of success," he said. "Its presence in Savannah is a valuable component of a complete economic development effort for the area."

The Advanced Technology Development Center is a nationally-recognized science and technology incubator that helps Georgia entrepreneurs launch and build successful companies. ATDC provides strategic business advice and connects its member companies to the people and resources they need to succeed.

More than 110 companies have emerged from the ATDC, including publicly-traded firms such as MindSpring Enteprises - now part of EarthLink. Headquartered at Technology Square on the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta, ATDC has been recognized by both BusinessWeek and Inc. Magazines as among the nation's top nonprofit incubators.

Since 1999, ATDC companies have attracted more than a billion dollars in venture capital funding.

ATDC was formed in 1980 to stimulate growth in Georgia's technology business base and now has locations in Atlanta, Savannah and Warner Robins. ATDC is part of Georgia Tech's Enterprise Innovation Institute. For more information, please visit (www.atdc.org).