ATDC’s North Star AI Labs Expands Access to AI Tools, Talent, Community for Georgia Entrepreneurs
Opening Access to AI for Builders Across Georgia
– Atlanta – The Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) today announced the public launch of North Star AI Labs, an initiative designed to provide entrepreneurs across Georgia with access to artificial intelligence tools, technical talent, and a growing innovation community.
After operating in stealth mode over the past year, North Star AI Labs is now open to founders, startups, and creators seeking to build and scale AI-driven solutions. The initiative addresses a growing gap in the innovation ecosystem, where many entrepreneurs lack access to the infrastructure, expertise, and resources needed to effectively adopt AI.
Removing Barriers So Founders Can Actually Build
“Most AI labs are not accessible to startups,” said James Harris, entrepreneur in residence at ATDC and founder of North Star AI Labs. “If you’re a small business, you can’t just walk into a university lab and start building. North Star AI Labs was created to remove that barrier and give entrepreneurs a place where they can access tools, connect with talent, and actually build.”
North Star AI Labs provides entrepreneurs with multiple pathways to engage, including hands-on programming and events, collaborative coworking opportunities, and a project-based talent matching platform that connects founders with AI engineers and students. Participants also gain access to ATDC’s broader network of startup founders and industry experts, creating an environment designed to accelerate innovation and reduce time to market.
Backed by Industry, Driven by Real-World Application
The initiative is supported by a growing group of partners and sponsors, including Hartmann Studios, which serves as the founding sponsor of North Star AI Labs.
“At Hartmann Studios, we see AI becoming the delivery layer for how work gets done, and North Star AI Labs at ATDC is helping make that shift accessible to builders and founders across Georgia,” said Scott Lowry, vice president of Hartmann Studios. “What stood out to us is the focus on real tools, real talent, and real application, not theory. This kind of ecosystem is critical right now as companies and entrepreneurs alike need credible, hands-on ways to adopt AI responsibly and at speed.”
North Star AI Labs has already begun demonstrating early momentum, with hundreds of participants engaging in programming and events, and new startups emerging from the community. Founders are leveraging the space not only to build products but to form critical relationships with engineers, collaborators, and investors.
Expanding ATDC’s Role in an AI-Driven Economy
“Being part of the North Star AI Labs community has been crucial for StorySense, giving us access to the expertise we need at the right time,” said David Turner, founder of the startup, StorySense. “AI is moving so quickly that no team can keep up in isolation. North Star AI Labs provides the feedback loops, shared learning, and support founders need to build and move faster.”
In addition to supporting founders, North Star AI Labs is helping bridge the gap between startups and emerging AI talent. The initiative hosts organizations such as the Georgia Tech AI Club and collaborates with student groups across the region, creating opportunities for students to gain real-world experience while supporting startup growth.
“In an AI-driven economy, access to AI talent is a core necessity. North Star AI Labs equips Georgia’s startups with these vital tools and expertise, powerfully scaling ATDC’s mission to support founders at every stage,” said John Avery, director of ATDC. “At ATDC, our mission is to support founders at every stage, and this initiative expands that support in a way that is both practical and scalable.”
With the public launch of North Star AI Labs, ATDC continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for innovation across Georgia, ensuring that entrepreneurs have the resources and support needed to compete in an increasingly AI-driven economy.
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