During a recent commencement ceremony at Georgia Tech, graduates received more than just words of encouragement from their speaker; they were offered financial support for future entrepreneurial endeavors. The speaker, Christopher Klaus, pledged to cover the incorporation expenses for any graduate starting a new business. Klaus, a distinguished alumnus, expressed that the initiative is about more than just waiving fees. “This is about lighting a spark,” he emphasized, noting that early belief is crucial for any founder. With this offer, graduates are equipped with both confidence and purpose as they step into their professional journeys.
In Georgia, the filing cost for business incorporation is approximately $100. This gesture becomes a part of Georgia Tech’s broader mission to foster a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. The university has been dedicated to this cause for years, collaborating with real estate developers to create Tech Square. This area consists of offices, labs, and residences and is a key component in Atlanta’s increasingly vibrant Midtown district. Such developments have fortified Georgia Tech’s ties with companies that engage in research collaborations and hire graduates from the university.
Georgia Tech has seen a surge in applications, achieving record numbers this year. Klaus, who leads the startup Fusen, founded in 2022 to connect students with mentors and funding, has played an instrumental role in promoting tech entrepreneurship. He also co-founded the CREATE-X program in 2014, which has successfully launched over 500 student-led startups. To honor his contributions, Klaus was awarded an honorary Ph.D. during the commencement event.
Georgia Tech’s President, Ángel Cabrera, remarked on the relevance of Klaus’s message and contributions. “We invited Chris Klaus to speak at Commencement because he embodies the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that has defined Georgia Tech for 140 years,” Cabrera stated. Klaus’s work and his generous gift continue to motivate graduates to lead with innovation and creativity.
In the wider context of Atlanta’s growth as a technological hub, Mayor Andre Dickens has recently declared his ambition for the city to rank among the top five tech hubs in the nation. This goal aligns with a report suggesting the necessity of launching 2,000 tech startups annually in Atlanta by 2027 to achieve this prestige and economic prosperity.