Athens area leaders are urging local tech companies to apply for consideration for “The 2016 Top 40/Top 10 Innovative Companies in Georgia" presented by The Technology Association of Georgia.
 
“Participation in the Top 40/Top 10 initiative will help encourage and spotlight some of the wonderful technological accomplishments of both established companies and entrepreneurs in our community,” said Athens-Clarke County Mayor Nancy Denson.  
 
The Athens region is a growing hub for innovation. Locally based University of Georgia is ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide for the number of U.S. patents granted. The region is also home to a number of startup incubators, maker spaces and innovation centers.
 
“The Top 40 Innovative Companies are not only a great way for Athens area business to distinguish themselves, but the Georgia Technology Summit is a wonderful learning opportunity for TAG members,” said TAG Athens Chair Charles Davis, Dean, Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, The University of Georgia.  “I am hoping that we will be well represented among the state's Top 40 Innovative Companies with at least 5 or more applicants from the Athens area this year."
 
 
The “Top 40” will be awarded based on specific criteria including: degree of innovation, scope and financial impact of innovation, likelihood of success, and promotion of Georgia’s innovative efforts nationally and internationally. Eligible companies will be Georgia based and focused on the development and dissemination of technology.
 
Companies selected for the “Top 40″ will be showcased in an exhibition at the 2016 Georgia Technology Summit, which is expected to draw the state’s technology leaders. The “Top 10” most innovative technology companies will be chosen from among the “Top 40″.
 
“Top 10” Companies will be asked to present at the 2016 Georgia Technology Summit, which will be held Thursday, March 17th at the Cobb Galleria Center.

The 2016 Georgia Technology Summit is expected to draw a crowd of more than 1,300 C-level executives, entrepreneurs, technology professionals and academia to celebrate and recognize Georgia’s technology community. In addition to presentations from some of the top technology influencers in the nation, the newest member of the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia will be inducted.
 
Interested companies from across the state have until January 29, 2016 to apply to be considered for this annual award which recognizes Georgia’s best and brightest.
 
To apply for the 2016 “Top 40/Top 10 Innovative Companies in Georgia, please visit:
https://tagonline.wufoo.com/forms/p9thlie14gjfyp/