ATLANTA, March 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Engage, the largest strategic grouping of major corporations in an independent venture fund, today announced eight companies selected to participate in the spring 2018 go-to-market growth program.
Leaders from these companies include serial entrepreneurs, first-time founders and founders listed on Forbes' "30 Under 30." The technologies they are pioneering span from autonomous flight, to artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain. These companies are based across the country, from San Francisco to Tampa Bay, including three from Atlanta.
This impressive group of companies join Engage with already over $1 million in annual revenue on average, and with an average of more than $3.5 million in venture funding to-date.
"Bringing top executives from our corporate partners together with founders of high-growth companies to focus on go-to-market strategies has unlocked immense value," said Thiago Olson, Managing Director of Engage Ventures. "We're impressed by the talent pulled together this spring."
Our very own Verady was one of the eight companies selected to be a part of the portfolio
- Verady (Atlanta, Ga.) — Combines blockchain and industry thought leadership to bring accounting and audit technology to cryptocurrencies.
"This cohort builds on the success of Engage's fall 2017 efforts, which are intended to provide a world-class program for high-potential start-ups," said Martin L. Flanagan, president and CEO of Invesco and chairman of Engage. "In a short period of time, the fall cohort's activity led to 24 signed contracts between the startups and our corporate partners and $18 million in closed financings. On average, our startups have experienced an additional $400,000 in projected revenue for 2018."
"Investing with Engage has allowed us to tap the latest in disruptive technologies and look for potential collaborations with our own digital transformation efforts," said Christian Fischer, president and CEO of Georgia-Pacific. "This program model is working – the caliber of innovation that these companies have brought to the table has been impressive."
