Emory University’s Goizueta Business School will host the 18^th semi-annual RAISE (Retention and Advanced Investment for the Southeast at Emory) Forum on Friday, November 15. This invitation-only event connects startups and top-tier investors from across the Southeast to foster collaboration within the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and ensures the best startups can stay local. 

The Forum is now accepting applications from post-revenue startups based in the Southeast seeking funding between $500,000 and $5 million. Seven startups are selected for each Forum to present to accredited investors actively looking to invest in early-stage companies. To be considered, a company must have revenue and participate in a short, complimentary training session to better prepare applicants for investor presentations. Startups in any field are encouraged to apply to present at the Forum by visiting www.raiseforum.com/entrepreneurs. Applications will close on Monday, September 27.

“RAISE Forum’s unique approach to connecting investors and startups has fostered a very impressive 20-25% success rate to date,” says RAISE Forum co-founder Barry Etra. “RAISE Forum is the only funding forum in the Southeast, and all funded companies (47 to date) have remained in the Southeast or have exited. To date, we have seven exits confirmed.” 

Investor and Community Support

Current investor support for the Forum comes from across the region and includes hundreds of investors, including Circadian Ventures, Panoramic Ventures, VentureSouth, AIM Group, Fulcrum Equity, and TiE Angels. Additional support comes from Georgia Bio, ATDC, Atlanta Tech Village, Launch Tennessee, Tech Alpharetta, and other influential Southeastern startup incubators and influencers. 

“This program fulfills one of our key goals of keeping startups in the region, along with showcasing a diverse group of founders and companies, as about 30% of RAISE C-level execs are underserved," says Charles Goetz, Distinguished Lecturer at the Goizueta Business School and RAISE Forum Co-founder.

Active investors or regional organizations interested in supporting the Forum should visit raiseforum.com/investors or raiseforum.com/sponsors to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and registration.