There’s something truly special about Venture Atlanta, it’s where innovation, ambition, and community collide. This year’s conference, held October 15–16, 2025 at The Woodruff Arts Center and Atlanta Symphony Hall, once again showcased why it’s the heartbeat of the Southeast’s thriving tech scene.
As proud Venture Atlanta alumni (VITAL4 pitched in 2017), returning felt a bit like coming home. From powerhouse panels to unexpected hallway conversations, the energy was contagious. We left feeling inspired, connected, and more excited than ever about what’s ahead for AI compliance, fraud prevention, and the broader Atlanta tech ecosystem.
Building Connections That Last
Venture Atlanta Alumni Dinner at the Epicurean Hotel
We were thrilled to attend the Venture Atlanta Alumni Dinner on the Epicurean Hotel rooftop, where past pitch presenters gathered to celebrate how far we’ve all come. Reconnecting with fellow founders and investors reminded us just how much this community has grown and how meaningful it is to maintain those relationships long after the pitch stage.
Insights That Spark Growth
Executive Sessions: Strategy Meets Experience
Two standout sessions gave us valuable takeaways:
- Preparing for M&A Success: A Proven Formula for Selling Your Business featuring Kelly Gay, this talk broke down the mindset and preparation behind successful exits. Kelly’s insights reinforced the power of early planning and cultural alignment in shaping long-term success.
- Don’t Let Them Hug the Rabbit to Death: How an Entrepreneur Can Navigate the World of Big Corporate led by Marc Gorlin this session was a candid, founder-first look at keeping your company agile and true to its vision when working with larger corporate partners.
Both sessions hit close to home: sustainable growth means balancing strategy with intuition and never losing sight of what makes your company unique.
Leadership, Learning, and Shared Vision
Venture Atlanta CEO Luncheon & Panel Discussion
We joined a by invitation CEO Luncheon and panel discussion, an engaging conversation with executive leaders on scaling, resilience, and authentic leadership.
Later that afternoon, we attended the Growth Stage Panel – Navigating the Ups & Downs of Being the CEO. With insights from David Cummings, Robin Gregg, Richard Makerson, and David Thomas, the discussion was refreshingly real—honest stories, practical lessons, and a reminder that no two growth journeys look the same.
The day closed with a Cocktail Party, the perfect setting for deeper conversations with founders, investors, and tech leaders from across the Southeast.
Empowering Women in Tech
Female Founders Dinner
Another highlight was the by invitation Female Founders Dinner, an evening dedicated to connection, mentorship, and collaboration among women building the future of tech. The stories shared were powerful, the conversations authentic, and the sense of community inspiring.
Why Venture Atlanta Matters to Us
For us at VITAL4, Venture Atlanta is more than a conference, it’s a catalyst for progress. Every conversation, from strategy sessions to rooftop catch-ups, reminded us why this ecosystem is so special: it’s collaborative, resilient, and forward-thinking.
We walked away with:
- A sharper roadmap for investment readiness.
- Renewed commitment to preserving our culture as we grow.
- Meaningful new connections with investors and fellow founders.
- Fresh ideas to drive AI-powered compliance and fraud-prevention innovation.
Looking Ahead
As we continue scaling VITAL4, we’re carrying the energy of Venture Atlanta 2025 with us — ready to keep building, innovating, and connecting.
A huge thank-you to Allyson Eman and the entire Venture Atlanta team for another outstanding year. You continue to inspire founders to dream boldly and execute with purpose.
— Kristin & Amy, Cofounders, VITAL4