Atlanta Inno's 10 Blazer winners.
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Congratulations to Atlanta Inno’s Blazer winners.
These 10 startups and technology companies thrived during an especially transformative year in the Atlanta innovation ecosystem.
Startups are raising more capital than ever before. Investment firms are at a record high. Tech corporations are setting up local offices.
A three-person editorial team from Atlanta Business Chronicle and the Inno network chose the Blazer winners from the 50 Fire Award nominees, who were chosen across 10 categories. One Blazer was selected in each category of competition.
The winners stood out in their sectors because of new capital raises, explosive revenue growth and innovative products. The list encapsulates the sectors that make the Atlanta ecosystem thrive, including investment firms, incubators, high-growth companies and early-stage startups.
Click on the company names to read a Q&A with each CEO.
Financial Technology
BitPay CEO Stephen Pair
www.nicole-tyler.com
Security, Fraud Prevention, Risk Management
Bluefin Payment Systems, CEO John Perry
John Perry, CEO and founder of Bluefin.
Bluefin
Hardware
Flock Safety, CEO Garrett Langley
Garrett Langley, founder and CEO of Flock Safety.
Byron E. Small
Fire Starters
Panoramic Ventures, Managing Partners Mark Buffington and Paul Judge
Paul Judge (left) and Mark Buffington, founders of Panoramic Ventures.
J KING IMAGES
Marketing and Media
Terminus CEO Tim Kopp.
Terminus
Software
DecisionLink Business, CEO Tim Page
DecisionLink CEO Tim Page
DecisionLink
For Consumers
Aquagenuity CEO Doll Avant.
Aquagenuity
Logistics
Stord co-founders Jacob Boudreau and Sean Henry.
Stord
Unicorns
Greenlight Financial Technology, CEO Tim Sheehan
Tim Sheehan, CEO of Greenlight Financial Technology.
Greenlight
Hot Spaces
Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship, CEO Jay Bailey
Jay Bailey, CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship.
Byron E. Small
See the full list of Fire Award nominees:
Atlanta Inno's Fire Awards 2021
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Yieldi co-founders Joe Ashkouti and Josh Lloyd
Yieldi grew 300% in 2020, a year after its founding.
Yieldi grew 300% in 2020, a year after its founding.
Allison Maurer Photography
Stephen Pair, CEO and cofounder, Bitpay
BitPay has processed more than $5 billion in transactions and has more than $70 million in investments, including from Silicon Valley’s Founders Fund.
BitPay has processed more than $5 billion in transactions and has more than $70 million in investments, including from Silicon Valley’s Founders Fund.
Joann Vitelli
FilmHedge CEO and founder Jon Gosier
FilmHedge provides fixed-interest loans and lines of credit to finance movie and TV productions through an online application.
FilmHedge provides fixed-interest loans and lines of credit to finance movie and TV productions through an online application.
Jon Gosier
LendingPoint CEO Tom Burnside
LendingPoint scored a $125 million investment from Warburg Pincus earlier this year and has more than 300 employees.
LendingPoint scored a $125 million investment from Warburg Pincus earlier this year and has more than 300 employees.
LendingPoint
John Perry, CEO and founder of Bluefin
Founded in 2007, Bluefin raised $25 million at the end of last year to expand its geographical reach, which already includes 130 partners across 32 countries.
Founded in 2007, Bluefin raised $25 million at the end of last year to expand its geographical reach, which already includes 130 partners across 32 countries.
Bluefin
Buckle CEO Dustin Walsey
Buckle raised a $31 million Series A round and bought Gateway Insurance Company to expand into 47 states in 2020.
Buckle raised a $31 million Series A round and bought Gateway Insurance Company to expand into 47 states in 2020.
Buckle
MAXEX CEO Tom Pearce
In 2020, MAXEX tripled its annual volume and expects the growth to continue this year.
In 2020, MAXEX tripled its annual volume and expects the growth to continue this year.
MAXEX
Curricula CEO Nick Santora
Curricula, an Atlanta Tech Village startup, raised $3 million last year to expand its team to 30 and released a new product earlier this year
Curricula, an Atlanta Tech Village startup, raised $3 million last year to expand its team to 30 and released a new product earlier this year
Curricula
Featurespace founder and U.S. expansion lead Dave Excell
Featurespace raised $37.4 million in 2020 to fuel its expansion into Singapore. The Technology Association of Georgia named it an innovative company of the year.
Featurespace raised $37.4 million in 2020 to fuel its expansion into Singapore. The Technology Association of Georgia named it an innovative company of the year.
Featurespace
Oversight Systems Inc. CEO Terrence McCrossan
Oversight, which has more than 200 enterprise partners, made the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2020 Pacesetter Awards list and garnered recognition from TAG for its innovation.
Oversight, which has more than 200 enterprise partners, made the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2020 Pacesetter Awards list and garnered recognition from TAG for its innovation.
Oversight Systems Inc.
Hermeus founders CEO AJ Piplica, COO Skyler Shuford, CPO Michael Smayda and CTO Glenn Case
Hermeus is leasing a 110,000-square-foot space in Doraville for its headquarters and aircraft assembly factory and raised a $16 million round last fall.
Hermeus is leasing a 110,000-square-foot space in Doraville for its headquarters and aircraft assembly factory and raised a $16 million round last fall.
Hermeus
Nexus Fuels CEO Jeff Gold
Nexus Fuels, backed by Cox Enterprises' Cleantech division, has produced about 310,000 gallons of oil and diverted more than 2.7 million pounds of plastic from the landfill.
Nexus Fuels, backed by Cox Enterprises' Cleantech division, has produced about 310,000 gallons of oil and diverted more than 2.7 million pounds of plastic from the landfill.
Erin Schilling
Garrett Langley, founder and CEO of Flock Safety
Flock Safety raised $47 million last year and aims to help lower the city’s rising crime.
Flock Safety raised $47 million last year and aims to help lower the city’s rising crime.
Byron E. Small
Valor Ventures general partners Lisa Calhoun (from left), Robin Bienfait, Gary Peat and investor William Leonard
Earlier this year, Valor closed its second, $21 million fund, which includes investments in Physician360 and LeaseQuery.
Earlier this year, Valor closed its second, $21 million fund, which includes investments in Physician360 and LeaseQuery.
Valor Ventures
Overline partners Sean O'Brien (left) and Michael Cohn
This seed-stage investment firm closed its first fund of $27 million earlier this year, surpassing its initial goal.
This seed-stage investment firm closed its first fund of $27 million earlier this year, surpassing its initial goal.
Overline
Mike Dowdle of Circadian Ventures
This early-stage investment firm launched at the end of the last year to help grow tech-enabled companies founded by veteran entrepreneurs in the Southeast.
This early-stage investment firm launched at the end of the last year to help grow tech-enabled companies founded by veteran entrepreneurs in the Southeast.
Steve Hasty
Shila Nieves Burney, founder of Zane Venture Fund
Zane Venture Fund has investments from Calendly CEO Tope Awotona and Sig Mosley, the “Godfather of Angel Investing.”
Zane Venture Fund has investments from Calendly CEO Tope Awotona and Sig Mosley, the “Godfather of Angel Investing.”
Zane Venture Fund
Paul Judge (left) and Mark Buffington, founders of Panoramic Ventures
The goal for Panoramic Ventures' first fund is $300 million, and the firm has a team of more than 25.
The goal for Panoramic Ventures' first fund is $300 million, and the firm has a team of more than 25.
J KING IMAGES
iFOLIO CEO Jean Marie Richardson
iFOLIO, which is hiring, has more than 5,350 clients, including Madison Square Garden and Atlanta Falcons.
iFOLIO, which is hiring, has more than 5,350 clients, including Madison Square Garden and Atlanta Falcons.
iFOLIO
Offbeat Media Group co-founders Bailey Grady, Christopher Travers and Shep Ogden
Backed by Shark Tank billionaire Mark Cuban and Atlanta Ventures, Offbeat Media Group is using innovative marketing strategies to help brands advertise on social media.
Backed by Shark Tank billionaire Mark Cuban and Atlanta Ventures, Offbeat Media Group is using innovative marketing strategies to help brands advertise on social media.
Offbeat Media Group
Terminus CEO Tim Kopp
Terminus raised $90 million and plans to increase its 200-person team to 250. It’s made four acquisitions in past three years.
Terminus raised $90 million and plans to increase its 200-person team to 250. It’s made four acquisitions in past three years.
Terminus
inBrain.ai CEO Jason Schubert
Founded in 2015, inBrain is the second fastest-growing company on University of Georgia’s 2021 Bulldog 100 list.
Founded in 2015, inBrain is the second fastest-growing company on University of Georgia’s 2021 Bulldog 100 list.
inBrain.ai
The Desires Company CEO Eric Sheinkop
The Desire Co., founded in 2015, has $4 million in investments and grew its team by 41% in the past year.
The Desire Co., founded in 2015, has $4 million in investments and grew its team by 41% in the past year.
DANIEL KELLEGHAN
DecisionLink Business CEO Tim Page
Founded in 2011, DecisionLink raised $18.5 million from prominent Silicon Valley firm Accel at the beginning of this year.
Founded in 2011, DecisionLink raised $18.5 million from prominent Silicon Valley firm Accel at the beginning of this year.
DecisionLink
George Azih, founder, CEO, LeaseQuery
LeaseQuery, which was bootstrapped until 2019, is backed by Goldman Sachs and consistently garners local recognition for its fast growth.
LeaseQuery, which was bootstrapped until 2019, is backed by Goldman Sachs and consistently garners local recognition for its fast growth.
LeaseQuery
M3 CEO Allen Read
In 2020, M3 updated products to include work-from-home accessibility and added 61 new customers.
In 2020, M3 updated products to include work-from-home accessibility and added 61 new customers.
M3
11Ten Innovation Partners CEO James Lewis
11Ten Innovation Partners was named an Atlanta Business Chronicle 2021 Pacesetter and has partnerships with Emory Healthcare Innovation Hub and the Verizon 5G Innovation Hub.
11Ten Innovation Partners was named an Atlanta Business Chronicle 2021 Pacesetter and has partnerships with Emory Healthcare Innovation Hub and the Verizon 5G Innovation Hub.
11Ten Innovation Partners
Speedscale CEO Ken Ahrens, from left, Vice President of Sales Nate Lee, Chief Technology Officer Matt LeRay
Speedscale, backed by Silicon Valley’s Y-Combinator and Atlanta’s Tech Square Ventures, prevents product incidents in programmers’ code through automation.
Speedscale, backed by Silicon Valley’s Y-Combinator and Atlanta’s Tech Square Ventures, prevents product incidents in programmers’ code through automation.
Speedscale
Atticus LeBlanc is founder of PadSplit Inc
In 2020, PadSplit raised $10 million and is expanding into other cities.
In 2020, PadSplit raised $10 million and is expanding into other cities.
Submitted
Empowrd CEO Horace Williams
Empowrd completed the 2021 Cox Enterprises Social Impact Accelerator this year.
Empowrd completed the 2021 Cox Enterprises Social Impact Accelerator this year.
Empowrd
Capway CEO Sheena Allen
This fintech company, backed by Valor Ventures, wants to close the gap for the unbanked or underbanked population.
This fintech company, backed by Valor Ventures, wants to close the gap for the unbanked or underbanked population.
Capway CEO Sheena Allen
PrizePicks CEO Adam Wexler
A partner of the Atlanta Braves, PrizePicks is the closest legal alternative to legal mobile sports betting in many areas across the country.
A partner of the Atlanta Braves, PrizePicks is the closest legal alternative to legal mobile sports betting in many areas across the country.
PrizePicks
Stord CEO Sean Henry and Jacob Boudreau
Founded in Georgia Tech’s CREATE-X program, Stord raised $100 million from West Coast investors and bought transportation provider Cove Logistics this past year.
Founded in Georgia Tech’s CREATE-X program, Stord raised $100 million from West Coast investors and bought transportation provider Cove Logistics this past year.
Stord
Paul Noble, founder and CEO of Verusen
Verusen raised $8 million earlier this year after seeing massive growth in 2020 because of an increase in demand due to the pandemic
Verusen raised $8 million earlier this year after seeing massive growth in 2020 because of an increase in demand due to the pandemic
Byron E. Small
Tyler Scriven, CEO of Saltbox
Saltbox raised a $10.6 million round to expand into more cities around the U.S. and add 50 people to its team.
Saltbox raised a $10.6 million round to expand into more cities around the U.S. and add 50 people to its team.
Saltbox
SalesLoft CEO Kyle Porter
SalesLoft hit unicorn status at the beginning of 2021 with a $100 million round.
SalesLoft hit unicorn status at the beginning of 2021 with a $100 million round.
SalesLoft
Gimme founders Evan Jarecki and Corey Hewett
Gimme released a new product late last year and saw an increase in demand during the pandemic as companies looked for technology to better manage their supply chains.
Gimme released a new product late last year and saw an increase in demand during the pandemic as companies looked for technology to better manage their supply chains.
Gimme
Roadie CEO Marc Gorlin’s previous venture was Kabbage
As delivery demand increased because the pandemic, Roadie launched their services to 3,000 new stores in two months.
As delivery demand increased because the pandemic, Roadie launched their services to 3,000 new stores in two months.
Byron E. Small
Tim Sheehan
Greenlight Financial Technology raised $260 million in May 2021, tripled its year-over-year revenue in 2020 and plans to hire 300 employees in the next two years.
Greenlight Financial Technology raised $260 million in May 2021, tripled its year-over-year revenue in 2020 and plans to hire 300 employees in the next two years.
Special
Tope Awotona, founder of Calendly
Calendly raised a $350 million investment earlier this year, putting its valuation at more than $3 billion.
Calendly raised a $350 million investment earlier this year, putting its valuation at more than $3 billion.
Joann Vitelli
Kabir Barday, CEO of OneTrust, in Atlanta
OneTrust raised $210 million in April and has bought three companies in the last five months.
OneTrust raised $210 million in April and has bought three companies in the last five months.
Peyton Fulford
PPRO CEO Simon Black
PPRO opened its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta in 2017. In 2021, it became a unicorn with a $180 million round.
PPRO opened its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta in 2017. In 2021, it became a unicorn with a $180 million round.
PPRO
Atlanta Tech Village gives city’s tech entrepreneurs first home address
Atlanta Tech Village opened their doors back to entrepreneurs in May 2020 and kept all 300 company tenants throughout the pandemic.
Atlanta Tech Village opened their doors back to entrepreneurs in May 2020 and kept all 300 company tenants throughout the pandemic.
Byron E. Small
Tech Alpharetta innovation center
Tech Alpharetta has more than 50 mentors and has 15 startup graduates, mostly in technical software sectors.
Tech Alpharetta has more than 50 mentors and has 15 startup graduates, mostly in technical software sectors.
Tech Alpharetta
The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot connected members digitally through a program called “Circles” and increased its membership during the pandemic. The club is expanding into Washington D.C. and Los Angeles.
The Gathering Spot connected members digitally through a program called “Circles” and increased its membership during the pandemic. The club is expanding into Washington D.C. and Los Angeles.
