TAG Invest Connect:

Meet, Pitch, & Partner

Date: October 28, 2027

On October 28, 2027, the 5th Annual TAG Invest Connect: Meet, Pitch, & Partner will connect Georgia’s technology entrepreneurs with corporate procurement leaders and investors for an unparalleled opportunity to learn, network, and compete.

The Problem

Seed and early-stage funding has seen significant declines, with investors prioritizing established companies with proven track records.

 

Our Solution

TAG has developed programs that provide access to both capital and customer acquisition.

  • Networking Success: This event is highly successful in facilitating networking opportunities, with 80% of entrepreneurs reporting successful interactions with investors.
  • Barrier Elimination: 87% of entrepreneurial participants felt that the event helped eliminate barriers to connecting with investors, indicating the event’s effectiveness in fostering meaningful connections.
  • Business Growth: The event had tangible business outcomes for some participating companies, with 63% of responding entrepreneurs gaining more employees and 38% of respondents receiving investments, and 63% scheduled appointments.

 

 

Pitch for Capital Competition

Presenting entrepreneurs will showcase their innovations in front of a panel of top-tier investors and an audience specifically tailored for impact! The audience will consist of investors actively seeking B2B and B2C technology-based innovations. Presenting entrepreneurs will compete for a $10,000 first-place prize and $5,000 second-place prize in a high-stakes environment and will receive private coaching sessions and mentorship from experienced investors.

Pitch for Capital Competition Prizes:

 

$10,000 First Place Prize

$5,000 Second Place Prize

 

 

Continuing the Conversation:

Interview with TAG Invest Connect Board Chair, Larry McHugh

Connecting Startups to Capital: How Collaboration Drives Entrepreneurial Success

2026 TAG Invest Connect & TAG Connect Board Members

Marcelo Bernal

Marcelo Bernal

President & CRO of Buckzy Payments

Avoilan Bingham

Avoilan Bingham

Invest Connect Co-Chair & General Manager, Drive Capital

Dr. Loretta Daniels

Dr. Loretta Daniels

Executive Director, TAG-Ed

Louis Gump

Louis Gump

Partner, TechCXO

Roy Hadley

Roy Hadley

Technology Lawyer, Buchalter

Richard Makerson

Richard Makerson

CEO, BlueFletch

Larry McHugh

Larry McHugh

Invest Connect Chair, Angel Investor

Shila Nieves Burney

Shila Nieves Burney

Managing Partner, Zane Venture Fund

Joe Radest

Joe Radest

Managing Partner, Radest Ventures Inc.

TAG Bridge Builders Advisory Board

We build too many walls and not enough bridges. The Technology Association of Georgia launched Bridge Builders to remove the barriers slowing progress and innovation in our state. The initiative brings Georgia's technology and business communities together to drive meaningful change, and our Advisory Board helps guide that work.

2026 TAG Invest Connect Pitch Competition Winners:

2025 TAG Invest Connect Pitch Competition Winners:

1st Place: Ron Johnson – Founder & CEO of Tacilent.ai

2nd Place: Alex Edquist – Founder & CEO of Good Agriculture

2024 TAG Invest Connect Pitch Competition Winners:

1st Place: Patricia Marsh, MD – Ask Me Your MD, Inc

 

2nd Place Prize: Tobenna Egbuna – Chezie

 

2023 TAG Invest Connect Pitch Competition Winners:

1st Place: Lavni, Inc (Sponsored by FP Omni Technologies)

 

2nd Place Prize: Untapped Solutions (Sponsored by Splitit)

 

TAG Invest Connect & Procurement Pathways Panel Recaps

Thanks to Our 2026 Sponsors!

Thanks to Our 2026 TAG Bridge Builders Investors!