Alpharetta is one of four North Atlanta cities competing for the title of "Most Innovative City" at the inaugural Tech North Atlanta Awards, the nonprofit announced Aug. 4.
The city will face Peachtree Corners, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs for the honor. Winners will be revealed Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 7:30–8:30 p.m. at Topgolf Alpharetta, immediately following the organization's TopGolf Classic fundraiser, presented by Relevantz.
The competition is stiff.
The Most Innovative City category recognizes a North Atlanta municipality that has fostered a thriving technology ecosystem through strategic investments, public-private partnerships and programs supporting startups and workforce development.
"Receiving more than 100 nominations for our inaugural awards speaks to the strength and momentum of our region's tech ecosystem," Karen Cashion, president and CEO of Tech North Atlanta, said in the announcement. "Our judges faced an incredibly difficult task selecting this year's finalists."
Alpharetta's bid rests on a sizable foundation. The city is home to roughly 700 tech-driven businesses and more than 11,000 professionals in computer and mathematical roles, according to City of Alpharetta economic development data. Major employers with operations in the city include Fiserv, Equifax, LexisNexis, ADP, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Morgan Stanley and Verizon.
Tech North Atlanta, formerly Tech Alpharetta, rebranded in January 2026 to reflect its expanded reach across Cherokee, Gwinnett and Forsyth counties. The independent 501(c)(6) nonprofit was formed through a 2017 merger of the City of Alpharetta's Technology Commission and the Greater Alpharetta Tech Network, founded by Karen Cashion. Its startup incubator houses more than 50 tech startups.
The awards span seven categories, including AI Visionary, AI Product Innovation of the Year, Breakout Startup, Visionary CIO and Trailblazing Digital Transformation Teams. All finalists were selected from more than 100 nominations. The awards are presented by Improving, a software consultancy and technology engineering firm.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite, with proceeds supporting Tech North Atlanta's startup incubator.
Upcoming
- Wednesday, Sept. 16: Tech North Atlanta TopGolf Classic and inaugural Tech North Atlanta Awards ceremony, 7:30–8:30 p.m., Topgolf Alpharetta. Winners announced in all categories. Tickets at technorthatlanta.eventbrite.com.
