Gwinnett Innovation Park To Award $100,000 To Local Technology Entrepreneurs

ATLANTA, Aug. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gwinnett Innovation Park ( www.gwinnettinnovationpark.com), a unique, affordable, low risk space alternative for start-ups, entrepreneurs, independent professionals and teleworkers, announced today the launch of the eHub Founders Grant which over the next 12 months will provide Atlanta-based entrepreneurs with $100,000.  The Founders Grant is designed to give back to the entrepreneurial community by rewarding entrepreneurial excellence and helping deserving companies continue on their path to success.  The Founders Grant is part of the eHub Nspire Program which helps support Atlanta technology entrepreneurs by providing them with resources and benefits to help them succeed, including office space at Gwinnett Innovation Park at no cost for one year.

"As an alternative to the famous 'shark tank,' the Founders Grant is designed to help our entrepreneurs succeed.  The Founders Grant allows entrepreneurs to retain full ownership and is designed to create a supportive and collaborative sanctuary,"  said Leland Strange, local serial entrepreneur, investor and supporter of hundreds of technology companies in the Atlanta area over the last 30 years.  "I know firsthand the importance of added resources during critical times in a company's development.  The Founders Grant rewards an Nspire company with $25,000 each quarter - no strings attached - to help them continue to grow and succeed. While we are invested in their success, the Nspire company will retain full ownership of the company. The Gwinnett Innovation Park Trustees are here only as a resource to help them succeed."

Paul Freet, Catalyst with the ATDC Gwinnett initiative, commented on the Founders Grant and Nspire Program.  "It's great to see the commitment of Gwinnett Innovation Park and its entrepreneurial leaders to bring needed resources and funding to support the technology start-up community in Gwinnett.  Both ATDC and GIP have a long history of helping entrepreneurs grow and succeed and I am sure these programs will inspire even more success stories in Gwinnett."  

Network, Inspire and Grow

The Founders Grant provides a $25,000 stipend each quarter to a member of the recently launched Nspire Program. The Gwinnett Innovation Park Trustees, a panel of distinguished entrepreneurs and Atlanta business professionals, will select the quarterly honoree based on the merits of the business plan and business opportunity of an Nspire company that has been a resident for at least one quarter.

The Nspire Program includes:

• Establish office in eHub at no cost for one year
• Access to experienced, successful business executives including face-to-face time with successful serial entrepreneur and monthly marketing and PR advice sessions
• Office space in an open plan environment
• Eligible for Gwinnett Innovation Park Founders Grant

As part of the Gwinnett Innovation Park which has been home to more than 75 innovative companies and has been ranked in the Top 10 among US Technology Incubators, companies in the eHub Nspire Program also benefit from the following:

• Opportunity to learn from Gwinnett Innovation Park's more than 20 years of support for emerging businesses
• Professional but friendly environment with peer-to-peer networking
• Convenient access to I-85  
• Onsite director and facilities staff
• Eight conference rooms (hold 4 to 45 people)
• VOIP phone system with voice mail and auto attendant
• Security Systems with 24/7 electronic access
• Loading dock/staging area
• Wi-Fi with High Speed Internet
• Snack bars and kitchen
• Onsite FedEx and UPS

About ATDC

The Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) is a start-up accelerator that helps Georgia technology entrepreneurs launch and build successful companies. Founded in 1980, ATDC has helped create millions of dollars in tax revenues by graduating more than 120 companies, which together have raised more than a billion dollars in outside financing. ATDC has provided business incubation and acceleration services to hundreds of Georgia startups—most of which are not based on Georgia Tech research, but which benefit from the close proximity to the university.  ATDC has opened its membership to all technology entrepreneurs in Georgia, from those at the earliest conception stage to the well-established, venture-fundable companies.   www.atdc.org

About Nspire Program and Founders Grant

The eHub Nspire Program helps give Atlanta-area entrepreneurs a fighting chance to become a successful business.  It plans to give back to the entrepreneurial community by allowing a limited number of companies to establish an office in Gwinnett Innovation Park at no cost for one year. Designed to provide Atlanta-based technology entrepreneurs with the resources to succeed, the Nspire Program includes monthly face-to-face time with a successful serial entrepreneur, access to marketing and public relations advice and the opportunity to establish an office in Gwinnett Innovation Park.  Nspire Program companies are eligible for the quarterly eHub Founders Grant which rewards entrepreneurial excellence and helps deserving companies continue on their path to success with a $25,000 - no strings attached - stipend.  For more information or to download an application to become part of the Nspire Program email [e-mail].

About Gwinnett Innovation Park

The Gwinnett Innovation Park offers an affordable environment for new and growing companies. Entrepreneurs can focus on business development and enjoy an "instant home" for their company without having to deal with facility and infrastructure hassles or lock into long-term commitments. They also have access to the business expertise of on-site executives and benefit from peer interaction, shared services and an extensive network of resources. Sponsored by long-time technology pioneer, Intelligent Systems Corporation [NYSE Amex: INS], the Gwinnett Innovation Park is one of the most successful, privately funded incubation programs in the country. During its 20 year history, the Gwinnett Innovation Park has been recognized as a top technology incubator and has been home to some 75 start-up companies that are estimated to have created more than a 1,500 new jobs in the Gwinnett county area. Information about the Gwinnett Innovation Park is available at www.gwinnettinnovationpark.com or send a message to [e-mail].

For More Information: Deanna Anderson, APRAquaPR404-759-1890 [e-mail]

SOURCE Gwinnett Innovation Park

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