The FARM Managing Director Burunda Prince-Jones appeared recently on Atlanta Tech Edge to talk about Atlanta’s evolving role as a tech hub, The FARM’s unique approach to developing startups, and how Demo Day is the ultimate graduation celebration.
On Atlanta:
Prince-Jones spent her early life in Atlanta before stints at Harvard, MIT, and Procter and Gamble. She loves being back to experience the city’s evolution as a major center of business, entrepreneurship, culture, and innovation. Atlanta is a terrific place to live, work, develop, and grow a business. “We’re there,” she says.
On The FARM:
A partnership between Comcast NBCUniversal and Boomtown, The FARM is a 12-week accelerator program that empowers startups to successfully grow and scale. The accelerator is proud to make its home in The Battery Atlanta. The Battery is a mixed-use development that’s also home to the Braves’ SunTrust Park, co-working and office space, a cutting-edge tech lab, shops, restaurants, and Comcast NBCUniversal offices. The FARM distinguishes itself with its focus on early-stage startups, its attention to founders and teams, and a proprietary curriculum customized to the needs of each company. The FARM looks for qualified and resilient teams who are solving relevant problems and prepared to develop and test their business model. Founders benefit from a program that balances downtime and play with rigorous work on their business. “We’re helping them live their life while building their dream.”
On Demo Day:
At the end of each 12-week program, participating teams are prepared to “demonstrate” their startup concepts by pitching them on stage: “It’s a combination of Shark Tank, TED Talk, and Entertainment Tonight.” Demo Day is well-attended by investors, corporations, entrepreneurs, and community members alike, and it’s inspiring to hear founders share their ideas and talk about how they will improve people’s lives.
Watch Burunda’s video interview to hear more.
