Tech Square

Tech Visionary Chris Klaus Empowers Georgia Tech Grads to Launch Startups

admin — Fri, 02 May 2025 13:35:41 +0000

Tech Visionary Chris Klaus Empowers Georgia Tech Grads to Launch Startups admin Fri, 05/02/2025 - 09:35

In a bold move to ignite Atlanta's entrepreneurial spirit, renowned tech entrepreneur and Georgia Tech alumnus Christopher W. Klaus announced during his Georgia Tech Commencement address on Friday, May 2 that he will personally cover the incorporation costs for any graduating student aspiring to launch a startup. "This is about more than just covering fees — it’s about lighting a spark,” said Klaus. “Every founder needs someone to believe in them early. Through this gift, we’re offering that belief and giving graduates the chance to start building with purpose and confidence.” Klaus is a driving force in Atlanta’s tech and startup community. While still a student at Georgia Tech, he founded Internet Security Systems, which went public and was later acquired by IBM for nearly $2 billion. Today, he leads Fusen, a startup accelerator that connects students with founders, mentors, investors, and early-stage funding to launch new ventures. In 2000, Klaus donated $15 million to help create Georgia Tech’s Christopher W. Klaus Advanced Computing Building, an innovation hub at the Institute. He also co-founded CREATE-X, Tech’s flagship entrepreneurship program, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024 and has launched over 500 student startups. “We invited Chris Klaus to speak at Commencement because he embodies the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that has defined Georgia Tech for 140 years,” said President Ángel Cabrera, who will also bestow an honorary Ph.D. on Klaus during the ceremony. “Through his groundbreaking work, his message, and now his generous gift to this semester’s graduates, Chris continues to inspire a new generation to lead with imagination and creativity.” Klaus' commitment complements Atlanta's broader efforts to foster a robust tech ecosystem and aligns with Mayor Andre Dickens' ambitious goal of positioning Atlanta as a top five U.S. tech hub. Achieving this status necessitates the creation of approximately 2,000 startups annually by 2027 to attract significant venture capital, generate employment, and solidify the city's standing as a premier innovation center. "Chris Klaus' generosity and vision will help further Atlanta's position as one of the country’s leading tech hubs," said Mayor Dickens. "His support for emerging entrepreneurs exemplifies our city’s group project and what is needed to equip the next generation of job creators for success."

Summary sentence

Summary

Christopher W. Klaus, a renowned tech entrepreneur and Georgia Tech alumnus, announced during his Commencement address that he will personally cover the incorporation costs for any graduating student aspiring to launch a startup, aiming to ignite Atlanta's entrepreneurial spirit. His commitment complements Atlanta's broader efforts to foster a robust tech ecosystem and aligns with Mayor Andre Dickens' goal of positioning Atlanta as a top five U.S. tech hub.

Dateline

Fri, 05/02/2025 - 12:00

media@gatech.edu

Contact

Georgia Tech Media Relations

Institute Communications

Associated importer

Keywords

Christopher W. Klaus

Georgia Tech

Commencement address

incorporation costs

graduating student

startup

entrepreneurial spirit

Internet Security Systems

Fusen

Christopher W. Klaus Advanced Computing Building

CREATE-X

Atlanta tech ecosystem

Mayor Andre Dickens

top U.S. tech hub

yellow jackets

ramblin' wreck

Tech Square

innovation hub

Georgia Tech Research Institute

GTRI

News room topics

Business and Economic Development

Campus and Community

Green Goodbyes Thrift Shop Expands to Tech Square

admin — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 11:34:41 +0000

Green Goodbyes Thrift Shop Expands to Tech Square admin Thu, 08/08/2024 - 07:34

Since 2021, the Green Goodbyes program has given a second life to household items that students may want to take with them when moving out of their dorm rooms or apartments. Donations have been collected at move-out since the program’s inception, but the opening of a new store in Tech Square allows for year-round operation.

Located on the second floor of Barnes & Noble at Georgia Tech (in the former BuzzCard Center), the Green Goodbyes thrift store offers all current Georgia Tech students the opportunity to shop for gently used items such as small appliances, pots and pans, dishware, and clothing, all free of charge.

Know Before You Go:

Green Goodbyes will open Monday, Aug. 12, during Week of Welcome.

Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday during the beginning of the semester.

Effective Aug. 26, hours will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday.

Entry to the store is first-come, first-served, with a maximum of eight students in the store at a time. Expect to wait in line during peak times.

Be prepared to transport anything you select, including large items.

Bring your BuzzCard to verify your enrollment status.

Until now, Campus Services housed donations in storage containers and hosted a one-day event at the beginning of each semester to allow students to select items. By relocating to the new store, Campus Services aims to simplify the distribution process and benefit more students throughout the semester.

“These items have so much life left, and through this program, we can help meet the needs of our students. Whether it’s international students, who can’t travel with these items, or students who may not be able to afford to buy everything brand new, this store is going to fill a need,” said Julie Birchfield, director of Community Engagement.

Along with helping students financially, Birchfield stressed the program’s role in promoting campus sustainability.

“If not for the program, many of these items would’ve been left behind and thrown out during the move-out process. This is an excellent way to extend the useful life of household goods and clothing instead of them piling up in landfills,” she said.

Donating

Item donations will be accepted during normal business hours beginning Sept. 3. Items can be dropped off inside the Green Goodbyes store. If you have a large donation, please schedule your drop-off by contacting Julie.Birchfield@gatech.edu.

Financial donations to support the program are also accepted. Contact Birchfield for additional information.

Green Goodbyes does not accept food donations. Non-perishable foods can be donated to Klemis Kitchen, Georgia Tech’s on-campus food bank.

Accepted items:

Clean clothing in good condition.

Small appliances and household goods (please review Georgia Tech’s Housing and Residence Life’s Residence Hall Community Policies for information on appliances allowed in Residence Halls: https://housing.gatech.edu/node/609

Items not accepted:

Foam bedding or pillows.

Opened or perishable food.

Underwear.

Non-functioning appliances.

Broken items.

Subtitle

With a new space inside Barnes & Noble, Green Goodbyes becomes a year-round, free resource for students to restock their living spaces.

Summary sentence

With a new space inside Barnes & Noble, Green Goodbyes becomes a year-round, free resource for students to restock their living spaces.

Summary

With a new space inside Barnes & Noble, Green Goodbyes becomes a year-round, free resource for students to restock their living spaces.

Dateline

Thu, 08/08/2024 - 12:00

Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

Associated importer

Keywords

Division of Student Engagement and Well-Being

community engagement

Tech Square

News room topics

Campus and Community

Tech Square

Tech Visionary Chris Klaus Empowers Georgia Tech Grads to Launch Startups

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News room topics

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Green Goodbyes Thrift Shop Expands to Tech Square

Know Before You Go:

Donating

Keywords

News room topics

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