This largest group of major corporations in a strategic venture fund helps startups access customers and markets.
The Goldman Sachs Group has joined Engage, a venture fund and growth accelerator primarily focused on investing in early stage companies. The fund’s mission is to provide talented entrepreneurs with access to capital, customers, and distribution channels through its accelerator and corporate partnerships. Engage’s investors include leading public and private companies that have provided capital to the fund, and senior leaders from these companies sit on its board of directors, which Dave Dase, head of Goldman Sachs’ Investment Banking Division’s Southeast Region, will join.
“Engage is a unique model for a fund and accelerator because it allows an impressive group of corporations to lend their talent and resources to entrepreneurs in order to help them drive strategy and growth,” Dase said. “Goldman Sachs is committed to the Southeast and to Atlanta, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to invest in the entrepreneurial community is such a meaningful way.”
Goldman Sachs joins the 10 founding companies investing capital, expertise, time, and resources in support of Engage, including AT&T, Chick-fil-A, Cox Enterprises, Delta Air Lines, Georgia-Pacific, Georgia Power Foundation Inc., Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), Invesco Ltd., The Home Depot, and UPS. Invest Georgia has also joined the fund since it was first announced last year. The fund is managed by Tech Square Ventures.
What makes Engage unique is the interaction of global companies with the startup ecosystem to help entrepreneurs build companies that will transform their markets. Rather than filling the specific needs of a single large company, Engage startups benefit from the combined perspective of all the member companies.
“Building on the unique market access Engage already offers, we are pleased to collaborate with Goldman Sachs to further drive innovation,” said Martin L. Flanagan, president and CEO of Invesco and chairman of Engage. “Our startups will benefit from Goldman Sachs’ market insights and caliber of talent.”
Engage is based in Technology Square and provides programming and support in partnership with Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC).
“Since its inception a little over one year ago, Engage is already having an impact on the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem in Atlanta and across the country,” said Georgia Tech President G. P. “Bud” Peterson. “As we engage with companies like Goldman Sachs, we are working to maximize the collective strengths of Georgia Tech, the Engage corporate partners, and the city of Atlanta to support startups nationally, while promoting Atlanta’s world-class talent and strengthening the economy here in Georgia and the southeast.”
Engage recently announced an impressive group of startups selected for investment and participation in the Spring 2018 go-to-market growth program including Dev/Con, Homee, Intrinio, Pryon, Stord, ThingTech, and Verady. 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.
About Goldman Sachs:
The Goldman Sachs Group is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world. To learn more, visit goldmansachs.com.
About Engage:
Engage is a venture fund and growth program that gives entrepreneurs what they need most—customers and market access. Engage corporate partners contributing capital, expertise, time and resources include AT&T, Chick-fil-A, Cox Enterprises, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Tech, Georgia-Pacific, Georgia Power Foundation, Inc., The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), Invesco Ltd., Tech Square Ventures, The Home Depot and UPS. These corporate partners, along with the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) and Tech Square Ventures, provide tools, hands-on support, and resources that help companies develop go-to-market strategies, open doors faster, and transform strategies into action. Engage is eadquartered in Georgia Tech’s Technology Square. For more information, visit engage.vc.