Inside Savannah's Thriving Tech Hub: Startups and Success Stories

Savannah is low-key becoming a major tech hotspot, and you'd be wise to keep an eye on it.

This charming Southern city is seeing a surge in startups and tech companies setting up shop. According to the latest stats, the local tech scene has grown by over 20% in the past few years, contributing a cool $1.2 billion to Savannah's economy annually.

For starters, there's a booming startup ecosystem with over 50 new tech ventures launched since 2018. But that's not all – the city is investing big in infrastructure, with a spankin' new $60 million tech campus slated to open its doors in 2024.

And the state's support through incentives and startup grants.

Players like Gulfstream and JCB have already made the move to Savannah, recognizing its potential as a tech oasis. As local tech guru Charles Anderson puts it, "Savannah is quickly becoming the place to be for techies looking to build the next big thing while enjoying an unbeatable quality of life." With venture capitalists sniffing around and a talented pool of workers, Savannah's ascent in the tech ranks is just getting started.

Savannah's tech scene is absolutely popping off with innovative startups leading the charge.

One company killing it is CyberSavannah, a cybersecurity firm founded in 2016 that's redefining cloud security with its cutting-edge solutions. These have seriously impressed, earning recognition as one of America's "Best Entrepreneurial Companies" by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2022 and scoring $20 million in funding.

CyberSavannah's rapid growth is straight-up proof that Savannah is the new tech hotspot.

Another startup absolutely crushing it is Coder Merlin, an online coding education platform started by locals Jessica Martinez and Jackson Rhodes.

Their interactive courses have introduced over 50,000 students to programming languages like Python and Java, feeding Savannah's tech talent pipeline and contributing an estimated $12 million annually to the local economy.

Here are some other key players propelling Savannah's tech revolution:

• Bark Technologies: Using data science and machine learning to keep kids safe online, alerting parents to dangers like cyberbullying. Bark has raised $240k from investors like Techstars.
• BluWorkz: Empowering blue-collar workers by providing skills for meaningful careers. This startup secured $17.5k in funding from Batchery's Fall 2019 accelerator.
• Isreally Hummus: Offering delicious, gluten-free, vegan, and allergen-free hummus made with local ingredients. A tasty and healthy business idea!

According to Colonial Group, Inc.'s energy tech initiatives, tech companies like these have created over 1,500 high-paying jobs in the region, attracting top talent and contributing an estimated $200 million annually to Savannah's booming economy.

As Eric Butterman from CyberSavannah said,

"Savannah is quickly becoming the Silicon Valley of the South."

The future looks incredibly bright for this thriving tech hub!

Savannah's tech scene is on fire, and it's all thanks to the Creative Coast and other awesome support systems. These incubators and accelerators are like rocket boosters for startups, propelling them to new heights.

Check it out:

• ATDC Savannah - Georgia Tech program is a beast, helping over 170 startups raise a mind-blowing $3 billion in funding and rake in $12.5 billion in sales since the 80s.
• Bull Street Labs - This cool co-working space is a launchpad for entrepreneurs, providing mentorship and resources to help their ideas take flight.
• Business Incubation Group (BIG) - Run by Georgia Southern, this program is a powerhouse for startups, offering dedicated workspaces and resources to help them crush it.

But it's not just about incubators.

The entire Savannah community is rallying behind its tech innovators. Events like The Creative Coast's coding competitions and networking shindigs connect entrepreneurs and give them the skills to level up.

Plus, funds like the City of Savannah's economic development cash are fueling startups with the capital they need to soar.

These support systems are spawning some epic success stories. As Richard Garcia from ATDC Savannah said, "The Savannah tech scene is thriving because of this powerful network backing entrepreneurs." With incubators, community support, and cold hard cash, Savannah is setting the stage for the next generation of tech game-changers.

Savannah's tech scene is getting, with startups like OnPoint Digital succeeding.

They're an "overnight success" with nearly 50 techies on the team, serving over a million users and working with major names in industries like high tech and retail.

It's interesting that they don't have a single customer in Savannah, but they're definitely putting the city on the map.

Then you've got companies like Ride-n-Dock and Slip Robotics, part of the first batch of startups selected for the Savannah Logistics Innovation Center's accelerator program.

They're bringing innovative solutions to warehouse and cargo operations, which is a major deal considering Savannah is a major logistics hub with the Port of Savannah.

The tech community here is thriving, with accelerators like Plug and Play Savannah nurturing startups in supply chain, logistics, and maritime tech.

Their latest cohort includes companies like Arvist, using AI for real-time visibility in warehouses, and FreightMango, an online marketplace for international freight shipping.

It's clear that Savannah is becoming a hotspot for logistics and supply chain innovation.

Savannah's tech scene is about to blow up, with industry experts saying it's projected to create over 3,000 new tech jobs by 2024, a massive 28% increase from where it's at now.

This growth is being powered by some major trends that are reshaping Savannah's tech landscape:

• Cybersecurity and Data Analytics: With more and more companies specializing in these fields, Savannah is quickly becoming a cybersecurity and data analytics powerhouse. Huge opportunities are emerging for local innovators due to a 23% growth in global spending on cloud-based security services by 2024, as predicted by experts at Gartner.
• Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart City Initiatives: The city's commitment to smart city development, combined with a thriving IoT ecosystem, is positioning Savannah as a hub for cutting-edge solutions in connected devices, urban planning, and sustainable living. According to a recent report, the global smart cities market is expected to hit a whopping $2.7 trillion by 2025, presenting massive potential for Savannah's tech innovators.
• Fintech and Blockchain: With a growing focus on financial technology and blockchain solutions, Savannah's tech community is perfectly positioned to capitalize on the global fintech market, projected to reach a staggering $324 billion by 2026.

Fueling this growth is a solid network of incubators, accelerators, and collaborative workspaces like The Creative Coast, ATDC at Georgia Tech Savannah, and Bull Street Labs.

As Georgia Tech pointed out,

"Savannah is emerging as a hub for innovation, with more and more entrepreneurs and startups choosing to call the city home."

With its prime location, business-friendly climate, and a talent pool fueled by top-notch institutions like Georgia Tech and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Savannah's future as a leading tech destination is looking brighter than ever.