While not discussed in the podcast, a little bird told us that the ATDC is offering a small discount for anyone mentioning StartupLounge.com in the application process. Better hurry though – the application deadline is July 15th, 2008!

And of course, it wouldn’t be a StartupLounge podcast without a joyful bus ride. Scott brings the heat and throws a certain group of entrepreneurs under the bus with full malice aforethought.

Sponsors for this episode:
Be sure to click the logos below and visit our sponsors!

Shownotes and Interview Questions:

As usual, we had lots of related followup questions, but here is a good sampling of the discussion:

Lance Weatherby:

1. Give us your elevator pitch for the ATDC
2. What has the ATDC been up to since your last appearance?
3. Who’s gonna be the new ATDC Director?
4. What’s changed in the Atlanta early stage market in the last year or so?
5. What is CapVenture all about?
6. How do you measure if the CapVenture program is successful?
7. Are there some success stories that have come out of CapVenture?
8. Who are good candidates for CapVenture?
9. It costs between $300 and $500 to participate in CapVenture (with scholarships a possibility for half). Why is it necessary to charge for this program? Couldn’t it (shouldn’t it be free?)
10. What makes CapVenture different from other entrepreneurial education programs?
11. What are is CapVenture doing differently this year from years past?

Todd Merrill:

1. Give us your 30-second elevator pitch for Global Crypto Systems
2. You’ve been a participant in CapVenture. What did you get out of the program?
3. Was there a tipping point during your CapVenture participation?
4. What are some tips you have for entrepreneurs that plan to participate in CapVenture so that they can gain the greatest value?
5. We understand that you recently raised capital. Can you give us any details?
6. How did you find investors and at what point did you start getting traction with them?
7. We heard a vicious rumor that StartupLounge contributed to your capital raising process – can you elaborate?

Guest Bios:

Lance Weatherby is currently a Venture Catalyst with the ATDC. He is the former Chief Marketing Officer for Ciphertrust, and before that served as an EVP for Earthlink, where he focused on mobile products/services. Prior to EarthLink, Lance served as EVP Sales/Marketing for Mindspring. Lance is also a prominent voice for early-stage ventures in the Southeast.

Todd Merrill is CEO of Global Crypto Systems, an Atlanta-based e-transaction security company. Earlier this year, Global Crypto was named by TAG as one of the top 40 Most Innovative Companies in Georgia, and was featured at ATDC’s CapVenture program. Prior to joining Global Crypto, Todd was Director of Acquisitions at Alpha Property Holdings, a real estate company, and held management and engineering positions at companies such as AirDefense, Ciena, PerformanceIT, Scientific Atlanta, BellSouth and AT&T. Todd earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Computer Engineering from the University of Florida.

Miscellany:

Enjoy! To play it, use the tools at the top of this post – you can play it via the embedded Flash player by pressing the big play button at the top, or download it to play on your computer or MP3 player.

Links referenced within this episode:

• ATDC (Advanced Technology Development Center)
• Global Crypto Systems

Podsafe music used within this episode:

• Neolith by Kevin MacLeod
• Talk Nerdy to Me by Possible Oscar
• All the Money in the World by Hutch

Our format is a little out of the norm as far as podcasts go. We treat our efforts as a true “show” rather than a super-concise (limited) vehicle for delivery of information. Therefore, the podcasts can run a bit long (actually, it is largely driven by the guests and their responses.) While we try to have very substantive discussions, we also try to have a lot of fun along the way (and that tends to elongate the programming a wee bit.) Our theory is that if we are having fun during the show, hopefully, you will be having a little fun listening as well.

Here is the breakdown for the show, in case you want to hop around.

A special thanks to Lance and Todd for coming in and hanging out with us!

We welcome your continued feedback as well! If you have an interest in appearing on the show, becoming a show sponsor (hint, hint), have some suggestions for topics, have feedback, or would just like to email us and tell us to “shove off”, we invite you to contact us.

And don’t forget – the StartupLounge.com message forums are a great resource for fast-growth entrepreneurs. If you need help with any aspect of your venture, we welcome you to jump in and get the help you need!

Enjoy!

As a bonus, join us for the debut of our “Under the Bus” segment, where we feature a healthy dialog on the Atlanta early stage venture scene.

Sponsors for this episode:
Be sure to click the logos below and visit our sponsors!

Shownotes:

This discussion not only provided a nice overview of the inner workings of the ATDC, but also a very interesting exchange of ideas and perspectives on the Atlanta (and Georgia) early-stage venture scene. From venture capital to angel investors to traction/execution, you’ll find it all here! We even managed to drag some “sleeper picks” out of Lance – if you want some tips on a couple of hot startups, give it a listen.

Soundbytes:

75% of ATDC companies (post-1995) either remain in business, or had some other successful exit.

Since 2000, ATDC companies have raised (or generated) $1.7B, incuding angel investments, venture capital, and successful exits.

One third of the companies in the ATDC have some connection to Georgia Tech, but the vast majority do not.

We have people betting lines in Vegas on what you’re about to say, so choose your words carefully, Lance.

Of course, there is much more content contained within the show itself. Enjoy! To play it, use the tools at the top of this post – you can play it via the embedded Flash player by pressing the big play button at the top, or download it to play on your computer or MP3 player.Links referenced within this episode:

• Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC)
• Lance Weatherby’s Blog – A Force of Good
• Izenda
• Attrasoft
• Adams Capital
• PeachPodStudios
• National Personnel Services
• SON Capital
• Technology Association of Georgia

Podsafe music used within this episode:

• Sundial by Bill Derome
• Pinata Boy by Derek Sonderfan
• All the Money in the World by Hutch

Tune in and find out!

Our format is a little out of the norm as far as podcasts go. We treat our efforts as a true “show” rather than a super-concise (limited) vehicle for delivery of information. Therefore, the podcasts can run a bit long. While we try to have very substantive discussions, we also try to have a lot of fun along the way (and that tends to elongate the programming a wee bit.) Our theory is that if we are having fun during the show, hopefully, you will be having a little fun listening as well.

Here is the breakdown for the show, in case you want to hop around.

A special thanks to Lance for coming in and hanging out with us!

We’ll be back next week with Steve Fleming of VentureLab fame. In addition to discussing the commercialization efforts of VentureLab, we’ll also have a great discussion around the challenges of innovating within an emerging industry (in this case, commercial space flight).

We welcome your continued feedback as well! If you have an interest in appearing on the show, becoming a show sponsor (hint, hint), have some suggestions for topics, have feedback, or would just like to email us and tell us to “shove off”, we invite you to contact us.

And don’t forget – the StartupLounge.com message forums are up and running. If you need help with any aspect of your venture, we welcome you to jump in and get the help you need!

Enjoy!