IntelliSystems, an Augusta-based firm specializing in business IT services, telecommunications, and cabling and wireless contracting, has committed a $5,000.00 donation of computer cabling and wiring to Augusta’s innovative technology incubator, theClubhou.se. After sitting vacant for the past 20 years, theClubhou.se’s new location in the historic, 200-year-old Academy of Richmond County building at 540 Telfair Street has been revived as a learning institution for up-and-coming technology innovators in Augusta and the CSRA. The 18,000-square-foot space that served as a school is now a learning and collaboration space for dozens of local entrepreneurs, programmers, software designers and engineers – ranging from established professionals and tech workers to recent military veterans. 

“We believe that theClubhou.se promotes a social tech community and progressive technology attitude that we need in Augusta, and providing a place for creativity and technology to thrive is only one example of how technology is becoming more and more important here in the CSRA,” says Kevin Wade, President and CEO of IntelliSystems. “Our company made the donation as an investment in both the community and the future of technology. It is an exciting time to be in this field in Augusta.”

"This donation by IntelliSystems will help make our new facility more functional and adaptable to exploring and developing new technology," explained Eric Parker, co-founder of theClubhou.se, who spent years working as an architect in Silicon Valley. His dream is for the space to be a breeding ground for small businesses or a place to encourage investors to support projects – which would make theClubhou.se a true tech start-up.  If nothing else, theClubhou.se provides a welcoming space where “geeks can hang out with other geeks,” as Parker put it.

In 2012, the Augusta Metropolitan Area ranked second in the U.S. for growth of high-tech jobs over the previous five years, with an 81% increase between 2006 and 2011. Next year, the group will expand on a recent capital campaign that calls for adding corporate partners to aid in sustaining the organization and its events. Plans include renovating the upstairs for start-up space and more classrooms. Parker hopes to raise the $3 million to $5 million to fully restore the building.