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Julie Price

Mar 10
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SWGC celebrates 10 years at Atlanta Tech Park

Southwest Gwinnett Chamber Marches into its 10th Year

By Events, Member Spotlight

Southwest Gwinnett Chamber marches into its 10th year

The Southwest Gwinnett Chamber literally decided to “March Forth” to commemorate its ten-year anniversary. The Chamber kicked off the month celebrations with remarks from past chairpersons as well as present Chair Margie Asef. But, in order to march in properly, a drumline from Norcross High School’s Marching Band helped spark excitement. Under the leadership of Corer Fair, associate director of bands at Norcross High, the students helped the chamber keep the pep in their step as they proceeded to the stage.

“These mature and hard-working students who we enjoyed having with us and sharing our breakfast with … were a pleasure to have as our guests,” said Beth Coffey, director of Membership Sales & Service for the Chamber.

“First Friday Breakfast was full of history as well as looking forward and we’ll do that at our 10th Anniversary Celebration in downtown Norcross on March 24,” added Coffey.

> Read More

Dec 14
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ConnexPay

ConnexPay Receives $20 Million in Funding

By Latest News, Member Spotlight

D.A. Davidson & Co. announced today that it has served as exclusive strategic and financial advisor to ConnexPay on its $20 million Series B funding from Marqeta, Inc. (NASDAQ: MQ).

ConnexPay is the first and only unified payments platform that integrates merchant acquiring, anti-fraud solutions and virtual card issuing. ConnexPay’s technology simplifies workflow and eliminates the need for pre-funded accounts.  This reduces supplier risk and the cost of accepting card payments. Their technology also safeguards consumer spend.  Headquartered in Minneapolis, MN with offices in Bonita Springs, FL, and Atlanta, GA they employ 35 professionals.

ConnexPay plans to use this investment to build out its business with online marketplaces and other commerce intermediaries.  These opportunities make up a significant portion of its current sales pipeline. As a result, the new round of funding will help expand the ConnexPay platform into Europe with increased hiring and technology development to support multiple currencies and languages.

ConnexPay was a member of The Park until 2019, when it out grew their space and moved to their new Alpharetta headquarters.  They enjoyed the flexibility of expanding in the space to meet their needs resulting in continued growth.  They also benefitted from connections made during their tenure at The Park.

 

Dec 08
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Conference Room Rental at The Park

Conference Room Rental at The Park

By Latest News, The Park

Conference Room Rental at Atlanta Tech Park

A recent article by WorkSocial.work, Advantages of Conference room Rental for Small Business, discussed several reasons why renting conference rooms can positively impact your productivity as well as your company’s bottom line.  

By utilizing meeting room rentals, an entrepreneur can keep operating costs low and productivity high because you don’t have to pay to rent space that you don’t use on a daily basis.  In addition, by renting meeting spaces at a facility like Atlanta Tech Park, you can be assured that you are taking advantage of the latest technology.  That is another expense you do not have to worry about.  

Conference Room Rental at The ParkConference Room Technology

With the technology at The Park, you can host both in person and remote meetings.  Our dedicated high-speed internet guarantees the ability to host both virtual and in-person attendees.  You can even host a virtual event!

You can also improve your image by booking a space at The Park.  Membership at The Park allows you to take advantage of the entire facility and gives you the opportunity to put your best foot forward.  You can let your clients know that you take working with them seriously. Employees will also know to take your meeting seriously because they know you have rented the space.

At Atlanta Tech Park, we have 7 conference rooms and an auditorium that can accommodate meetings from 6 – 100 attendees.  Each room boasts the latest technology to make hosting your meeting a breeze.  If you are a member of the park or currently lease office space, you have the ability to rent these rooms at a discounted rate.   

Book your conference rooms and  select the room that fits your needs.  Be confident knowing that no one else has booked your room. In addition, The Park also offers the opportunity to have coffee service and food brought in by your favorite caterer.  You can also select from our preferred list and know that your guests will have a great experience.  

Atlanta Tech Park is a global technology accelerator that offers more than just conference rooms and event space. With one of our membership packages you will get discounted rental rates.  In addition, you have access to advisors and a growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs.

Dec 01
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SoftBank Vision Fund 2 Backs Reibus

By Latest News, Member Spotlight

Reibus International Inc., an alumni of Atlanta Tech Park,  had its valuation soar more than sevenfold after an investment from SoftBank Vision Fund 2.  It’s now $750 million.

Atlanta-based Reibus will spend the funds on expanding its marketplace and investing in associated logistics and financial-services offerings, Chief Executive Officer John Armstrong said in an interview. The startup, which already operates in Europe, plans a regional hub in Berlin and one in Southeast Asia, likely in Singapore. “We think it’s important to be local in those markets,” Armstrong said.

Reibus recently launched a mobile app and this year surpassed an annual revenue run rate of $100 million. It selected SoftBank as an investor in part due to its international reach, experience in helping marketplace-based companies scale globally and relationships with banks, said Armstrong, who co-founded the startup in 2018 with the goal of ensuring a positive culture. SoftBank’s David Boriss is set to join Reibus’s board, Armstrong said.

Reibus was a member of Atlanta Tech Park through 2020 when it graduated into its own space in Atlanta.  One of the many things that benefitted them was The Park’s ability to grow with them until it was time to further expand into their own corporate headquarters.   To learn more about The Park’s membership opportunities, click here.

 

Read the full article here on Bloomburg.

Nov 03
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Robin Bienfait

Robin Bienfait speaks at Cyber Future Foundation

By Events, Latest News

Robin Bienfait at CFF

Robin Bienfait, founder of Atlanta Tech Park, joined the Cyber Future Foundation at their Cyber Future Summit in Augusta Georgia.  The Cyber Future Foundation was established to create a brighter and trusted future for the cyberspace where digital commerce and innovation can thrive.

Cyber Future Summit is a unique event focusing on action towards building a collaborative and trusted global platform for cyber. Leaders and futurists from different walks of life gathered to share ideas of building a trusted cyber and create definite actionable guidance and frameworks towards Trusted Cyber and take it back to their respective constituencies.

Robin Bienfait, formerly with AT&T, Blackberry, and Samsung, brings her wealth of experience in the cybersecurity arena to the panel at this event. Watch her  lead the discussion with Rick Pena, Ken Gonzalez, Col. James Turinetti around the collaboration between Government and the Tech Sector.

CFF is a movement toward a brighter future for cyberspace, and that is done in it. The urgency is now, the need is now, and the global requirement for privacy, respect, and trust in cyberspace has never been greater.

Jun 09
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Smart Eye Brings its Platform to Samsung AppStack

By Latest News, Member Spotlight

ATLANTA, GA. — June 7, 2021 – Smart Eye Technology, a biometric-based file sharing platform, today announced that it has partnered with Samsung  to help small and medium-sized businesses combat security threats by bringing its innovative platform to Samsung AppStack Marketplace customers. AppStack is a new platform that curates and bundles apps for small businesses.

With more people working remotely, and even as people move back to the office, employers are continuing to face an increasing number of security threats.

Smart Eye Technology is focused on helping companies protect the privacy and security of the confidential business information that they need to share with employees, customers or vendors as part of their on-going business. The solution also includes biometric-authenticated e-signatures for executing contracts in their platform.

“As many organizations continue to operate in dispersed and hybrid work environments, they are under increased pressure to ensure their data remains secure no matter where it is going,” said John Curtis, Vice President, Mobile B2B, Samsung Electronics America. “Smart Eye Technology provides a modern day solution for SMBs to share wiring instructions, project bids and other sensitive documents securely within this environment.”

Smart Eye Technology consists of a desktop and mobile app which lets users upload, share, receive, review and e-sign files in the platform from any device. When files are uploaded for sharing, they are encrypted with a proprietary self-protecting data technology for true end-to-end security. Smart Eye doesn’t stop there, though, to secure confidential information.

For an added level of security, each company creates their own ‘private pond’ for internal and external collaboration. “In order for anyone to receive or share files with you through the platform, your system admin must approve them,” Dexter Caffey, founder of Smart Eye Technology, explained. Shutting out all others protects organizations from issues like wire fraud, business email compromise and even data leaks from employees – either intentional or unintentional.

Smart Eye layers on biometrics, requiring the file receiver to authenticate their identity in order to access the file. It  then utilizes continuous facial recognition to detect and block unauthorized “shoulder surfers” from seeing the information on the authorized receiver’s screen. “No one should be able to see your confidential information unless you want them to,” said Caffey. “Smart Eye says no, this file is none of your business, so we’re blocking you out.”

File senders have additional control over files even after they hit send. They can set a time limit on file access; prevent downloading or further sharing; track activities on the file; and even terminate access to any file immediately, with just one click. Plus there’s a control panel for the system admin to monitor activities on all files shared through the platform in real time.

Smart Eye also uses its biometrics to enable identity-verified e-signatures and ensure that only the intended signer can e-sign the contract. “Many executives have assistants sign documents for them, but now that executive is not responsible for that contract,” Caffey continued. Smart Eye e-signatures are powered by Adobe Sign, the market-leading e-signature solution in Adobe Document Cloud; and the addition of biometric authentication provides needed proof of who signed your contract.

Smart Eye Technology was designed to meet the needs of any size business in any industry as an all-in-one platform that is simple to use and affordable.  “Advanced technology does not need to be complex,” Caffey added. “Giving customers a great and user-friendly experience is our number one focus.”

You can get Smart Eye Technology at a discounted rate through Samsung AppStack. AppStack simplifies the process of selecting and managing your work apps, reduces their subscription costs and provides ongoing support, plus a centralized billing system. Smart Eye Technology desktop app versions are available for Windows and macOS in the Samsung AppStack Marketplace.

 

About Smart Eye Technology

 

Smart Eye Technology is revolutionizing the way businesses protect their confidential information from unauthorized access. With Smart Eye, sharing and viewing files and e-signing business critical documents has never been more secure; and keeping shared confidential information private has never been more assured.  Smart Eye Technology was created to vigilantly protect everyone’s right to digital privacy and security.  Helping companies stay productive by giving them peace of mind is our mission.  Mobile versions are available for Android and iOS.

 

For more information or to schedule a live demo of the innovative Smart Eye Technology platform, visit smarteyetechnology.com.

###

 

Media Contact:

Nicole Boyd

Firecracker PR

(888) 317-4687, ext. 702

nicole@firecrackerpr.com

 

Smart Eye Technology Contact:

Bri Liborio

Customer Experience Lead
b.liborio@getsmarteye.com

May 05
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Cyber FinTech Event at the Park

Cyber FinTech Event has Great turnout

By Events, Latest News

A jam-packed day for the Cyber FinTech event kicked off with James Azar of CyberHub Podcast and Robin Bienfait discussing the current state of cyber and its ability to enable growth in the FinTech Sector. “It’s great to be back in-person and knowledge share,” James said as he kicked off the event. Robin agreed adding, “Covid 19 and cyber pandemic elevated importance of security to the business.”

New to The Park this year was the addition of a cyber breach simulation hosted by James Azar featuring an intimate conversation and hands on experience. Along with the breach, The Park continued its hybrid approach by offering exclusive online content, including Jeff Fried of InterSystems discussing A Practical Path to Machine Learning Success for Financial Institutions. Jeff went into an in-depth overview of AI and how to ensure success. Sam Phillips of Wells Fargo joined James for a virtual fireside chat discussion about his journey into cyber. When you take the “that will never happen to me approach, how do you know? You are really going to keep yourself open ”, Sam noted. Also joining James was Ron Green of MasterCard. They covered how being in security and fintech never has a boring day where Ron mentioned “the change in covid response required rapid changes to technology that was used every day. Instead of securing core centers, we’re having to secure everyone not being in a center. You’re depending more on your cloud servicer providers than ever before.”

Robin Bienfait held her CISO/CIO/CTO Roundtable where they discussed the past 120 days and the impact of cyber breaches where one happens every 11 seconds. Cyber activity and fraud has increased by 600%. As a CISO practices cyber, how do we practice better? Learn from events. Prevent events? In summary, having better tools is important. Orchestration is important. Having partners telling you what you should be looking at and for with threat Intel is key.

Our virtual attendees we able to learn more about Avertium and Veloxiti and the afternoon wrapped up with an all star panel that included Paul Farley, NCR; Ken Foster, Fiserv; Sam Phillips, Wells Fargo; and Gautam Vyas, FIS Global. They covered a vast array of topics, including how to ensure that everyone maintains a work/life balance now that so many work from their homes. They also touched on how people are viewed as more human when the dog walks into the room or the kids are in the background. On a serious note, they continued on the discussion of the challenge securing everyone working from home and the need for security around documents, devices and best practices.

If you would like to see the event, please click here.

This event is our lead up event to Georgia Cyber Week, to be held September 20 – 23, 2021 where we will highlight the three main verticals of Georgia’s economy. This week will unify the ecosystems in Georgia around cybersecurity and focus on how Cyber is a business enabler that helps businesses grow.

Apr 22
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Conference Rooms Avalialbe

Video Calls from a Safe Distance at The Park

By Latest News, The Park

Things at The Park certainly haven’t been the same for a couple of weeks now, but we are optimistic that a return to “normal” will happen sooner rather than later.

We already rescheduled our inaugural Cyber HealthTech Conference from April to July 2020. We also had to cancel our members only Wine Wednesday for March (but rebounded with a virtual one… see below!) along with some of our other programming that’s been a big asset to our community. Fortunately, recaps of some past events are online.

As a hub for entrepreneurs, we know that (small) business owners have to be resilient to succeed. Everyone does. We, too, have to be in order to get through this, and we will. And when it’s over, we’re going to have a killer happy hour to celebrate the good times ahead.

The Park was still open for business even when quarantines and lockdowns started in March. With Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s recent announcement permitting some businesses to open starting April 24 and 27, we will resume “normal” operations at The Park as best we can. Normally, that means dozens of people working diligently in their personalized setup, occasionally chatting over a freshly brewed pot of coffee, and getting in a game of ping-pong whenever they can thanks to Netflix.

Lately, people have been at The Park—but distancing. They’re there because they provide essential services and product such as software, construction metals (great time to do infrastructure upgrades), cybersecurity, technology for medical professionals and first responders, and more. Many people around the world are conducting business via Zoom and other video-calling software lately too.

That being said, we have six meeting rooms at The Park. Every single one of them is big enough for distancing comfortably and equipped with wireless video-calling capabilities and a sound system that makes remote conference calls seamless and professional. All you need to get connected is an Internet connection, which is the motor oil of today’s economy. Cybersecurity is one of Robin’s strongest areas of expertise. It’s something we take seriously at The Park, so rest assured your data, documents, and web activity are secure on our network.

Each conference room area at The Park also has a different name that represents a different element of success. Some also represent places and things that embody our identity as a global accelerator. They are as follows:

Garden City: A nod to Singapore and our commitment to be a global innovation hub, this conference room is where great ideas come to bloom. Used as a green room for comedy shows and performances, continuing education classes, regular team meetings, and more. It seats more than a dozen people, and is equipped with multiple HDMI plugins throughout, so seating can be as comfortable as you need or want it to be.

Oasis Room: A homage to Japan, the Oasis room is the newest addition to The Park’s event space. Originally located in the front end of the building, the Oasis room was moved to the back corner of the building (near the auditorium) to make way for a new office suite. The move seems to have been a hit with the community. It has made our meeting hub more centralized within The Park, and the glass wall adds a modern and sleek touch to the facility that defines us as an accelerator catered to futuristic innovation.

Digital City: Our cluster of conference rooms has a sign over it that reads Digital City. Here, there are a handful of technologically advanced, secure meeting spaces that (when appropriate again) are suitable for small groups of 5-6 people to larger groups of up to 12. Each room in Digital City has a theme associated with it such as “Create,” “Connect,” “Ignite,” etc. that embody the great characteristics of collaboration and innovation.

Right now, members have access to all of the meeting spaces to work privately or take video conference calls as necessary. We hope to see you at The Park soon, whether it’s to bring you a reprieve from being sheltered in your home office or once this all ends. Either way, we will be here.

Mar 28
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HealthTech Innovations Seen in Pandemic Response

By Events, Latest News, The Park

When we decided to host our inaugural Cyber HealthTech Conference and Challenge in April 2020, we had no idea that a global pandemic would rock the core of medical institutions around the world and right here at home. However, things happen, and as people our ability to adapt has enabled us to survive and thrive for centuries. That being said, the scope of our event has changed slightly.

For starters, the conference has been rescheduled to July 2020. The theme is still “Disrupt or Be Disrupted.” That means highlighting ATP alumni companies such as ControlRad, which uses revolutionary technology to reduce radiation exposure to patients and doctors during FGPs, and AffirmHealth, which has helped curbed the opioid dependency through web platforms. Now, the conference also entails discussing all of that in addition to the disruptor that is coronavirus. More specifically, we’ll be talking about innovative ways that medical and technology experts have come up with ways to inform and treat the public during this pandemic. Here are some examples we’ve seen that are worthy of sharing:

The first and most notable use of HealthTech in response to the COVID-19 outbreak has been the reporting and presentation of the data pertaining to the number of cases, locations, and more. The Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center tracker is an interactive map updated with new information daily. It shows the number of total confirmed cases, deaths, and recoveries in real time. The map can be viewed by cumulative confirmed cases or active cases and provides a breakdown of cases by specific countries and regions. Other features on the map can show you different views, filter for different variants, and show a log of how the virus has grown in its spread over time. While it may be scary to look at, being informed allows healthcare workers and government officials to make better decisions of what actions need to be taken to prevent the pandemic from becoming a larger problem.

Another notable trend in response to the pandemic has been the rise of TeleHealth communications. Although it may seem as if getting tested for COVID-19 has been easier for the ultrarich or megafamous, the emergence of TeleHealth has become one way to make healthcare more accessible for everyone. Defined as using telecommunications to treat and diagnose patients virtually or digitally, TeleHealth enables healthcare workers to physically distance themselves from those showing symptoms of an illness (thus preventing the spread), be more efficient with their time, and also work with patients across state lines, which has been temporarily allowed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Healthcare professionals and the American public are taking to it, too. The State of Georgia has launched a COVID-19 hotline where residents can call (844-442-2681) and be consulted over the phone if they begin to feel symptoms associated with the coronavirus.

TeleHealth is currently free, even for the uninsured. Numbers for TeleHealth usage are drastically up across the board, and as more cases arise, the need for TeleHealth and the supporting infrastructure will become greater. Case in point: The global TeleHealth market is expected to be worth $55.6 billion (USD) by 2025, according to a forecast published by MarketsandMarkets. It is currently worth $25.4 billion, the same report said.

A trend gaining popularity in technology over the last few years has been 3-D printing. Praised for its ability to create sturdy prototypes and products cost effectively, the focus of 3-D printing products has become manufacturing medical supplies to meet anticipated shortages of PPE (personal protective equipment) for medical professionals. High-end medical equipment such as ventilators and test kits are harder to mass produce with short notice, but thanks to 3-D printing (and old-fashioned sewing), serviceable protective facemasks are being made and delivered to local healthcare providers everywhere. In just one example of this, we see how a friend of The Park is doing her part with a 3-D printer:

Unfortunately, despite everyone in the world being in need of reassurance and a helping hand right now, there are cybercriminals who see an opportunity to capitalize on the fears of the coronavirus pandemic as a big payday for themselves.

Per our Cyber HealthTech Conference and Challenge partners Adams and Reese:

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has seen an uptick in cyber scams in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. … If something is considered a medical device, it is also regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has issued broad guidance on the use of wireless technologies and certain mobile medical apps.”

Verify all links, professionals, and devices that you consider. Fast Company reports that a “digital coronavirus infection kit” disguised as the Johns Hopkins University map (referenced above) is actually a Java-based malware designed to steal sensitive information (cryptocurrency, passwords, credit card numbers, etc.) and leave devices susceptible to similar attacks. Often, the links are shared as emails with attachments and have “coronavirus” in the subject line, according to Fast Company.

As of this writing, there are 593,291 cases of coronavirus confirmed worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. At least 101,657 of those are in the United States, which has the highest number of confirmed cases in the world. (Some good news: 130,915 people have recovered.) What happens between now (March 27, 2020) and the Cyber HealthTech Conference in July 2020 is extremely crucial for the prosperity of humanity and sustainability of the healthcare industry as we know it. If all goes well, there won’t be many more cases or fatalities to report, and we’ll only have permanent HealthTech disruptions to talk about at the event—in addition to everything else that’s going on at The Park.

Mar 23
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Work from Home Tips

By Latest News

It’s not common when your favorite co-working space (thank you, we’re flattered) gives you advice on how to work from home, because we take pride in being your office of course. However, things are different right now, and even though we’re in the midst of a global pandemic that is unprecedented for just about every single person on Earth, we know that the work of an entrepreneur never stops.

Whether remotely or in office, there is a lot of work for many to still do right now. Working at this time can also be a good escape from the anxiety that has filled our daily lives, which is why The Park will still be accessible for Members during normal business hours through a shutdown. (ATP staff will not be present though.)

For those of our members and guests who are choosing to work from home, we’ve put together a sample routine and cheat sheet of things to consider when working from home to maximize your productivity:

1) Stick to or develop a new routine. Although you’re just working from home, it’s still important to get eight hours of sleep every night. In some cases, this may be more feasible now than before the pandemic started. Take advantage of it.
2) Then, start every day the same way: Commit to working out, emails, the bulk of your work (writing, data, spreadsheets, etc.), or easing into it with coffee first and tackle everything else in order of priority after that.
3) By midday, step away from your designated work space (more on this in a moment) and truly give yourself a break. Mental health is even more of a priority in these trying times.
4) Finish your workday strong by knocking out any incomplete tasks that were started earlier in the day or at the end of the previous days or weeks.

That’s somewhat of a routine. Don’t forget that taking breaks is not only acceptable as part of your routine, but also should be built into it. We recommend writing down the five most important tasks of your day and starting on them from the order of most-to-least important, devoting 25 minutes of focus to the task at hand, then taking five minutes off. Keep that going until your bigger break (lunch or quitting time).

*Bonus: Use some of your “break time” to do things that you couldn’t do around the house when you were at work before. That could be: take the chicken out of the freezer for dinner tonight to let it thaw, do some laundry, wash some dishes, walk the dog, etc. By doing this during your workday, you give yourself plenty of time to relax when it’s time to wind down at night. Make sure you get some sort of exercise in at some point too; this may be the most important WFH tip of all.

Another huge way to have success working from home is by sticking to your normal work hours. Of course, if you know you’re better working at one specific time over another, then now is the time to give yourself the schedule you’ve always wanted to have!

As for your home office set up, we recommend having a designated work space. In other words, no working from your bed! It doesn’t matter if it’s emails to start the day or a quick social media post at the end of the night. Just like the physical distancing we’re all committed to, having boundaries in your home will make it much easier to develop a routine and give your mind a break.

We also recommend “getting dressed” for work every day even if you’re at home. This doesn’t mean you need to put on a business suit, of course, but changing out of the clothes you slept into something slightly less casual (joggers instead of pajamas or a collared shirt instead of a T-shirt, for example) will make you feel as if you’ve gotten “dressed” for the day and have you prepared for the challenges of an abnormal workday ahead.

Ultimately, there’s no telling when life will return to normal (or a “new normal”) as we here in America have barely scratched the surface of what is to come. While we’re all hoping for the best, one way to ensure it happens is by staying home more, and making the most of the time we have to ourselves. Remember all those hours you lost by sitting in Atlanta traffic? They’re yours now! Use them wisely. We hope these tips help you do that!

Don’t get too comfortable at home! We miss you at The Park! When this is all over, we’d love to talk with you about the global response to the coronavirus pandemic during the ATP Cyber HealthTech Conference and Challenge at The Park in July 2020! Needless to say, there will be tons to talk about! We hope to see you there.

Lastly, if you’re looking for something to watch on Netflix during this time—or maybe if you’re just missing ATP—then might we recommend watching the movie Sextuplets, which was filmed at The Park in October 2018.