James September-October 2024 web - Flipbook - Page 62
A recent phenomenon is the
substantial amount of technology-related venture capital fueling Atlanta’s
startup scene. Venture capital and
technology firms were once anchored
in Midtown near Georgia Tech, but
they now extend from Midtown
through Buckhead, up Georgia 400
to Alpharetta, creating an economic
corridor through the city. Atlanta
Tech Village’s formation bridged the
gap, and its success exemplifies how
the city can support both the financing and growth of new ventures. The
combination of finance and venture
capital for fintech and other technology-related businesses promises tremendous potential for the future, and
we have these systems in place, ready
to perform. Ecosystems like this are
only present in a handful of U.S. cities,
and they take decades to evolve.
city has retained its wealth creators.
Entrepreneurs who build their fortunes
here often choose to reinvest and keep
their wealth in the town. They become
community leaders. This speaks volumes about Atlanta’s cultural fabric,
high quality of life, and vision of our
local leaders.
Financing commerce in its many
forms leads to great wealth— not just
Atlanta’s Enduring Appeal
for a select few, but for many. When
Atlanta also boasts another unique banks loan money, they create money.
situation: over the past century, the
When investments are made, the ratio-
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nale is that more money will be created.
When wealth is created, we all benefit.
The city’s appeal goes beyond being a
place to amass wealth; money made in
Atlanta often stays in Atlanta.
No other country views successful
businesspeople with such high regard
as America. As the late editor and journalist Lewis Lapham alluded, money
in America has transformative power.
It might seem obvious, but it bears
repeating: finance and wealth are the
same. Atlanta and its greater metro-
