ATLANTA — Atlanta’s innovation community is gearing up for Avant South 2025, returning Oct. 16 – 17 at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel and the Historic Academy of Medicine. This year, Avant South joins forces with Atlanta Tech Week to present a two-day showcase of the ideas, technologies, and collaborations shaping the future of transportation, logistics, policy, and digital transformation.

Timed with the 100th anniversaries of Delta Air Lines and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the event underscores Atlanta’s leadership in mobility, logistics, and technology as the city advances toward its goal of becoming a Top 5 U.S. tech hub. Avant South is made possible by the support of our sponsors, led by premier sponsors Cisco and Geotab and joined by Comcast, OneTrust, Sage, and Waymo, all united in their commitment to strengthening Atlanta’s thriving innovation ecosystem.

“Transportation has always been at the heart of Atlanta’s story, from aviation to logistics, and now to the future of electric mobility,” said Donald Beamer, senior technology advisor for the City of Atlanta. “Avant South is where our workforce, entrepreneurs, and students come together with industry leaders to exchange ideas, build connections, and envision what’s next for how we move people and products around the world.”

This year’s programming spans five immersive tracks highlighting the future of transportation, business, and innovation — from shaping public impact through policy and investment, to reimagining global supply chains with automation and resilience, driving digital transformation with AI and agile design, fueling startup growth through entrepreneurial insights, and empowering student visionaries to lead the next wave of change.

Headlining the event is AJ Piplica, aerospace entrepreneur and technologist and founder and CEO of Hermeus — the Atlanta-based company building the world’s fastest aircraft. Hermeus is pioneering the future of aviation from its 110,000-square-foot facility, where engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams converge. Piplica tapped into Atlanta’s aviation legacy and infrastructure, while also helping to advance the city as a center for next-generation innovation. In his keynote, he will reflect on Hermeus’ journey to radically accelerate military and commercial aviation as a blueprint for founders and institutions working to elevate technology and entrepreneurship in Atlanta.

Atlanta Tech Week is about momentum — the energy of founders, builders, and technologists pushing boundaries and solving real-world problems,” said Avoilan Bingham, president of Atlanta Tech Week. “Partnering with Avant South creates a powerful, shared platform to amplify Atlanta’s momentum, spotlight breakthroughs in transportation and logistics, and connect the innovators shaping the city’s tech future from the ground up.”

Adding to this year’s programming is the Atlanta Innovation Cup, a challenge that brings together students from multiple institutions to form interdisciplinary teams to compete in developing bold new ideas to enhance Atlanta’s World Cup 2026 experience. Supported by mentors from the U.S. Soccer Federation, Deloitte, the City of Atlanta, and other industry leaders, the competition culminates with a live showcase on Oct. 16 at Avant South. Winners will receive prizes, mentorship, and support to further develop their ideas, making it a career-shaping opportunity and a chance to be part of Atlanta’s history.

“Atlanta’s innovation ecosystem is thriving because our universities, entrepreneurs, businesses, and civic leaders work together to turn big ideas into tangible results for our city,” said Ángel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech. “Georgia Tech is proud to team up with Mayor Dickens’ office and Atlanta Tech Week on this event ​to strengthen these connections and Atlanta’s reputation as a world-class tech hub.”

For more information or to buy tickets, visit avantsouth.com.