History of Innovation in Georgia
The History of Innovation in Georgia series celebrates the people, companies, and innovations that helped shape Georgia’s economy and culture of progress. From breakthrough founders to iconic brands, these stories connect the state’s legacy of ingenuity to the momentum building today at Biltmore Innovation Center and across Tech Square.
The Heart Sensor That Started in a Georgia Tech Lab
Mark Allen’s career traces several eras of Georgia’s innovation economy: university research, technology transfer, medical device commercialization, and the arrival of a global healthcare company in the city’s newest research district.
The Pattern Coca-Cola Established in Atlanta
From a single Atlanta invention, Coca-Cola grew into a global company by establishing a model of entrepreneurship, investment, and scalable infrastructure that continues to shape the city’s innovation economy. Today, its partnerships, resources, and long-standing connection to Georgia Tech help create opportunities for the next generation of Atlanta founders.
The Legacy of Spanx: How a $5,000 Idea Built a Global Brand From Atlanta
Sara Blakely turned $5,000 in savings and a simple solution to a personal frustration into Spanx, one of Atlanta’s most recognizable global brands. Her success helped prove that a first-time founder could create an entirely new product category and scale a major consumer brand from Atlanta. Today, her legacy extends beyond Spanx through philanthropy, investment and continued support for women entrepreneurs.
Christopher Klaus and the Rise of Atlanta’s Innovation Economy
Long before Atlanta became a recognized technology hub, Christopher Klaus was building companies in the city while still an undergraduate student at Georgia Tech. His legacy is tied not only to the companies he created, but also to the environment he helped shape around them.