Set-Up Shop

Whether putting down roots for the first time or expanding a company that’s been around for decades, the environment in Georgia is ideal for growth.

• Moderate-to-lower costs than competitors
• Large availability of Class A office opportunities with new tech options
• Major market for co-working space
• Access to top marketing/PR, procurement and professional services firms

Competitive Operating Costs

Costs tend to be at or below the national average in Atlanta. The region has a construction cost index of 90.2 (U.S.=100), and the region’s mild winters allow for year-round construction activity.

Expansive Office Market

Atlanta is the eight largest office market in the nation with 330 million square feet in inventory. The region has 10 major submarkets, each with 10 million or more square feet of office space. There is currently a vacancy rate of about 18% for Class A and B office space across the Atlanta area.

Co-Working Space

Atlanta ranks as the #1 best city to start a career (WalletHub, 2026) and the #1 best city for remote workers (CoworkingCafe, 2025).

Major co-working space operators, such as Industrious, SPACES and WeWork, all have a presence in Atlanta. There are also boutique spaces available across the region, too.

B2B Services

Atlanta is rich in B2B enterprises that can help advance your business. The region's robust B2B ecosystem connects companies with other firms that provide the materials, services and consultation needed to be successful.

• 267,000 employed in metro Atlanta's Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry
• 2,600+ accounting, auditing and consulting firms
• 570+ advertising and marketing agencies
• 960+ employment services firms in the region, including highly-regarded executive search agencies
• 3,400+ law firms

Sources: Lightcast, 2026; Business Wise, 2026

Innovation Resources

Over the last two decades, metro Atlanta has reinvented itself as a technology hub, evolving from its traditional finance, professional services and industrial roots. Our thriving innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems continue to drive the region's transformation. Recent tech company locations and expansions solidify the metro’s position as a digital leader as corporate powerhouses - from the likes of Airbnb and Visa to Panasonic and Microsoft - locate their newest, most technologically advanced business units to Atlanta.

• Thriving innovation & technology ecosystem
• Top location for corporate innovation centers
• Strong corporate and academic R&D activity

Curious and Inventive Spirit

Atlanta is a place of "firsts" for global brands. Minds craft next-generation products and services here. Atlanta invented the 24-hour news cycle when Ted Turner launched CNN and the region also introduced us to the first internet bank (Security First Network Bank). Atlanta gave the world a Coke, the first conceived headache tonic, and started the "do-it-yourself" revolution with the Home Depot. Now these minds are setting-up shop together in places like Georgia Tech's "Tech Square" to innovate and learn from each other.

Notable Technology Companies Founded in Atlanta:

• AirWatch (later acquired by VMware)
• Internet Security Systems (now IBM Internet Security Systems)
• Ionic Security
• Mailchimp
• Pardot (later acquired by Salesforce)
• Pindrop Security
• Silverpop

Recently Atlanta-founded Technology Success Stories:

• Bakkt - 2018
• Calendly - 2016
• Flock Safety - 2017
• Greenlight - 2014
• OneTrust - 2016
• Roadie (acquired by UPS) - 2014
• Stord - 2015
• Salesloft - 2011

Recent Technology Announcements:

• Cargill
• Cisco
• Duracell
• Fanduel
• Mastercard
• PrizePicks
• Salesforce
• Stripe
• Visa

Innovation Centers

Corporate innovation centers provide highly accessible entry points for early stage companies to form customer relationships. Most innovation centers are concentrated at Georgia Tech’s “Tech Square” in Midtown Atlanta, taking advantage of the synergy between business and students on the college campus. A sampling of the region's corporate headquarters with innovation centers include:

• Delta Air Lines "The Hangar" Innovation Center
• Georgia-Pacific Innovation Institute
• KPMG "Ignition" Center
• NCR Innovation Lab
• Micron Technology Memory Design Center

Strong R&D Activity

The Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) grows innovation in the state by powering new discovery at Georgia’s research universities — then bringing more inventions to benefit Georgia industry and people. Since 1990, GRA has generated over $16 billion in outside investment and new revenue and helped launch more than 200 companies statewide

In Atlanta, you are also near leading research universities. According to the National Science Foundation, Georgia institutions collectively attracted $4 billion in research funding in 2024, with several Atlanta schools among top funding recipients.

• Georgia Tech ranks 2nd for total R&D funding nationally and has seen an 70% uptick in total R&D funding since 2019.

Accelerators & Incubators

Atlanta's startup ecosystem is supported by dozens of incubators, accelerators, venture studios, and innovation hubs that help entrepreneurs launch and scale new ventures. Two of the region's largest include:

Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) at Georgia Tech

• Georgia's premier technology incubator, helping entrepreneurs launch and scale high-growth technology companies since 1980.
• Supports 150+ technology companies through its statewide portfolio and innovation programs.
• Operates across seven locations in Georgia and connects founders with mentors, investors, corporate partners, and university resources.

Atlanta Tech Village (ATV)

• Village startups have generated more than 15,000 jobs and raised more than $3.2 billion since inception
• Notable exits include: Bitpay, SalesLoft, PrizePicks, and Calendly

Venture Capital Activity

As startup activity continues to accelerate, the region attracts more funding, investors and opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs. Notable rankings include:

• 411 Georgia companies received VC funding in 2025
• Venture capital investment in Georgia reached $1.9 billion in 2025
• 485 venture capital deals were made in Georgia in 2025
• 179 VC investors headquartered across metro Atlanta

Source: PitchBook, 2026

Atlanta is home to several venture-backed startup companies that have reached the $1 billion valuation mark, including: Kabbage, GreenSky, Rubicon, Sharecare, Calendly, OneTrust, Greenlight, Stord, and Flock Safety.