Posted: June 19, 2009

So, last night, my friend and colleague, Lee Miller @leehammy and I spent a bit over two hours at the Atlanta Web Entrepreneurs meet up meeting.

The meeting was a presentation on the start up "scene" in Atlanta by StartUpLounge's Scott Burkett @sburkett and Michael Blake @Unblakeable, followed by a Q & A session.

Rather than go into the meeting, you an check out some of my comments here: @derrickpeavy.

What I liked about the meeting was an honest admission that by any measure, Atlanta is NOT and never will be SV or Boston. The best after meeting content I came across (thanks to Twitter), was this piece on TechDrawl, which I had never heard of before: The California State of Mind (will kill you in Atlanta). And, yes, I honestly have been in a cave for several years now. Couldn't have said it better Russell. I learned first hand.

I started my web entrepreneurial life back in 1996, in my hometown, Atlanta. Now, I am guilty of not trying nearly as hard as we should have back in 96-99 to find some funding here in the city. But to be honest, no one tried really hard then. If you went to a TAG meeting, or any kind of Atlanta start up meeting or event, you either got a read on the place in the first 30 seconds, or you were blind. Bottom line - it weren't for the real entrepreneurs.

Is it now? I have no idea. Scott made some good points and most importantly, emphasized not pissing and moaning about the past, about the culture, the things that can't be changed. He's right.

The crux of what Scott was presenting and which both Lee Miller and I have been privately discussing is to create a grass roots, no frills, no money down, ecosystem here in Atlanta for start ups. My only caveat is that I firmly believe it has to be de-centralized, geographically speaking. What I mean by that is rather than basing such a venture out of an office in some part of this huge sprawling geography with it's world-renowned traffic problems, we need to follow Scott's own advice and work to educate the local entrepreneurial talent. To do that, we need to create mini systems throughout the city, under an over arching network of deal makers. Connected, but unique to the local identity and advantages. Because driving an hour from your part of town to a meeting in any other part just 20 miles away in this city will suck the spirit out of you faster than a $20 bill in Tijuana.

And that brings me to the best little city in these parts, and the one part of town I know can nurture the start up spirit and soul better than any other: Decatur, Georgia.

Here, in Decatur, when someone asks what you do (I question I despise), you're going to hear anything from "actor" to "entrepreneur" (one and the same, no?), to (proud) teacher of a top ranked school system, all the way to captain of industry. And the best part - no one looks at you as if you're too crazy (just a little crazy, because this is Atlanta after all).

We have three modern office towers here in our little town with lots of available space, just 7.5 miles from the state capital in downtown Atlanta - this little hidden gem - and lot's of smaller spaces in low rise office complexes as well. It's a 4 square mile gem tucked away from the rest of the city.

And best of all, we have Brick Store Pub (nationally acclaimed), Twians (they brew their own), Corner Pub, Thinking Man Tavern, The Grange, Eddie's Attic, James Joyce (technically in Avondale Estates) - 7 pubs all within a block or two of each other. Pick a night, pick a pub.

After years of effort, and having to suffer through an untenable and unbearable entrepreneurial cause, mountains of debt and complete failure, I am free again. Lessons learned, PhD awarded, and it's time to crawl out of my cave.

Over drinks last night, Lee and I remarked that not since our jobs in college had we felt as rewarded in our work. That HAS to change. I'm sniffing 40 around the bend and I'll be damned if I'm going to hit that mark with any regret.

So Scott, here's the deal. I'll host a pitch night. It's open to anyone who has a serious idea and drive, tech folks or not. Brewers like my neighbor who will become Decatur's first stand alone brewer, technology folks, anyone. But for those reading - no MLM's or "life coaches" or any of that. If you're pitching your Amway, Energy Drink, or mentoring thing I will, in front of the whole crowd, tell clearly and succinctly to get the hell out. There's a reason why my friends used to call me "choke chain."