Local Leaders are urging companies from across the Greater Augusta Area to apply for consideration for “The 2014 Top 40/Top 10 Innovative Companies in Georgia" presented by The Technology Association of Georgia. 

“It’s been a great year for our local technology sector,” said Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver.  “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 Augusta area this year." 

The Greater Augusta Area has the 2nd highest technology sector growth in Georgia and a 2012 study from San Francisco-based Engine Advocacy, ranked the area as 12th nationwide in high- tech job growth.

“The Augusta Metro Area has a tremendous eco-system that fosters innovation in the technology sector", said Scott Poag, Project Manager at the Augusta Economic Development Authority.  “Recent announcements such as the U.S. Army relocating the Cyber Security Headquarters to Augusta, is a testament to what already exists and what is yet to come.”

The “Top 40 Innovative Companies in Georgia” 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 2014 Georgia Technology Summit (GTS), 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 2014 Georgia Technology Summit, which will be heldTuesday, March 26th at the Cobb Galleria Center.

The 2014 Georgia Technology Summit is expected to draw a crowd of more than 1,000 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.  

"The Augusta Technology Sector continues to be a place of rapid growth and new opportunities.  We are all focused on reshaping the Information Technology (IT) face of Augusta and participating in the Top 40 Competition is just one way that we can strategically position our community as Georgia’s next great tech success story," said Randall Zapata, President of Zapata Technology Inc. 

Applications for the Top 40/Top 10 must be received by February 7, 2014 to be considered for recognition among Georgia’s best and brightest.

Interested companies may apply at: https://tagonline.wufoo.com/forms/qupn7i40xffvrq/ 

For more information about TAG and the Georgia Technology Summit and to register for the event, visit http://www.tagonline.org/georgia-technology-summit.php.