Engage Ventures

Engage Ventures is an Atlanta, Georgia-based collaborative innovation program and venture fund that connects high-growth enterprise technology startups with Fortune 500 corporations. Founded in 2017 by Marty Flanagan, Bud Peterson, and Managing Partner Blake Patton, the organization operates a $15 million fund backed by major corporate partners like Delta Air Lines, Chick-fil-A, UPS, Invesco, and Home Depot. The firm leverages this extensive corporate network alongside valuable Georgia Tech resources to provide startups with strategic capital, acceleration services, and dedicated go-to-market support. Across ten cohorts, the program has invested in 75 companies, including recognizable portfolio names spanning diverse technology sectors like Kanarys, Cyrano, and Fast Radius. These supported startups have subsequently raised over $2.7 billion in post-program funding, currently employ more than 3,000 people, and successfully secured 116 customer contracts with corporate partners.

High-Level Overview

Engage Ventures is a venture fund, go-to-market program, and corporate innovation platform that connects startups with major corporations, universities, and investors to accelerate enterprise adoption and growth.[1][2][3] Its mission centers on promoting innovation through a collaborative model, deploying both capital and corporate expertise to help startups overcome barriers and scale, particularly in the Southeast U.S.[1][2] The investment philosophy emphasizes strategic partnerships with 15+ global corporations (e.g., Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Home Depot, UPS) and Georgia Tech, managed by Tech Square Ventures, focusing on early-stage companies via the Engage Go-To-Market Program.[1][2][3] Key sectors span enterprise tech, retail, logistics, health, and more, with a strong emphasis on Southeast startups (70% of portfolio), leading to over 168 corporate contracts, 2,000+ jobs created, and $3.1B+ in follow-on capital raised.[2][3] Engage significantly bolsters Atlanta's ecosystem by fostering executive-startup connections and pilots, with Georgia-based portfolio companies raising $530M and employing 1,000+ people.[2]

Origin Story

Engage emerged from Atlanta's corporate innovation needs, with Cox Enterprises as a founding partner and its Chairman/CEO Alex Taylor on the board.[2] Launched as a collaborative platform, it evolved from corporate pilots—such as Delta Air Lines introducing antimicrobial startup Vyv via Engage for executive buy-in, and Deep North securing a Home Depot pilot post-Series A with Home Depot and Delta investments.[1] Key partners include Bill Nussey (Partner, ex-tech CEO at Silverpop/IBM, Greylock VC, Harvard MBA) overseeing growth, and Maddie Harper (Manager, Enterprise Accelerator, Georgia Tech alum in operations/supply chain).[2] Its focus has sharpened on streamlining startup-corporate deals, growing to 101 portfolio companies and partnerships with entities like Goldman Sachs, Invesco, and Tech Square Ventures.[1][3]

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Combines venture capital with a structured Go-To-Market Program, providing startups access to Fortune 500 pilots, executive networks, and co-investment from 15+ corporations, unlike traditional VC.[1][3]
• Network Strength: Invite-only events with CEOs/executives (500+ engaged), plus an expert network of entrepreneurs and practitioners for navigating enterprise sales; partners include Delta, Home Depot, UPS.[1][3]
• Track Record: 168 corporate contracts (many ongoing), 101 portfolio companies, $3.1B+ follow-on capital, 2,000+ jobs; 70% Southeast-based, strengthening regional tech hubs.[2][3]
• Operating Support: Insights Engine with Georgia Tech analyzes trends for data-driven theses; mentorship, education, and platform tools for pilots, relationships, and scaling (e.g., Deep North's rapid Home Depot deal).[1][2][3]

(Note: A separate entity, Engage Venture Partners at engagevp.com, focuses on medtech SPVs but lacks overlap with this Atlanta-based platform.[4])

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Engage rides the corporate venture capital trend, bridging startups and incumbents amid rising demand for enterprise-ready innovation in retail, logistics, and supply chains.[1][3] Timing aligns with post-pandemic supply chain shifts and Southeast tech booms (e.g., Atlanta's ecosystem growth), where 40% of its startups are local.[2] Market forces like corporate innovation budgets and pilot scalability favor it, enabling quick breakthroughs (e.g., Vyv/Delta, Deep North/Home Depot).[1] It influences the ecosystem by incubating internal ventures, validating acquisitions, and sharing insights via Georgia Tech, fostering 140+ contracts and positioning Atlanta as a hub with $530M+ raised by Georgia portfolios.[2][3]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Engage is poised to expand its model as corporate-startup collaboration deepens, potentially scaling beyond Southeast with global partners like UPS and Honeywell.[1][3] Trends like AI-driven enterprise tools and sustainability will shape its portfolio, amplifying follow-on raises beyond $3.1B. Its influence may evolve toward more internal spinouts and acquisition pipelines, solidifying Atlanta's role in U.S. venture while delivering unmatched access that defines its edge from day one.[2][3]