The Advanced Technology Development Center, in partnership with theClubhou.se, has launched the 2018 cohort of its Startup Academy for the metro Augusta region.

The Academy, which runs from May 15 through Aug. 8, is an intensive twelve-week experience for technology entrepreneurs who want to launch or grow their early-stage startups. Classes are being held in downtown Augusta at Enterprise Mill, 1450 Greene St., and theClubhou.se, 540 Telfair St. 

Startup Academy participants are meeting weekly for two-hour sessions run by ATDC’s Augusta Catalyst, Scott Hardigree. Participants will cover the ATDC’s core curriculum of Customer Discovery, Financial Literacy, and Investor Readiness.

“Augusta has a growing community of entrepreneurial talent and we want to tap into that and help it thrive and flourish,” says Hardigree. 

The Startup Academy has proven to be an excellent tool to foster the entrepreneurial community in Augusta, as well as grow the ATDC portfolio in Augusta. Skyraider Aeronautics, one of the companies who participated in the previous Startup Academy, joined the ATDC Accelerate Portfolio. 

“Participating in ATDC’s Startup Academy this past spring was a game changer for Skyraider,” said Daniel Scheiner, CEO of Skyraider Aeronautics. “We were just two guys fresh from the military with an idea but didn’t know how to take our idea and form a business. The essential skills taught during the Academy has enabled our business to thrive.”

This year’s cohort is an impressive group of over 20 high caliber teams. “This is the strongest and largest cohort I’ve seen yet. I look forward to seeing this group pitch August 8th,” says Hardigree.