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Robert Maddox sees many early-stage founders as desert wanderers.
The reality is that there are tons of programs, ecosystem development spaces, and startup hubs designed to help up-and-coming entrepreneurs. But the closer you get to them, the more founders realize they are part of a “mirage,” Maddox explained to Hypepotamus.
“You think they are attainable, but they’re very selective. You have to have certain connections, maybe a certain degree,” he added.
To help combat that wandering, Maddox knew he had to build an “oasis” for those founders.
A Startup Oasis, more specifically.
Maddox and his co-founder Matthew Martin launched the current version of Startup Oasis in the summer of 2022 as a space for tech entrepreneurs to find a co-founder, get help for an idea, or join a tech startup in town. And now every month, upwards of 80-100 people gather in Midtown Atlanta for what has become a staple event on the Atlanta startup ecosystem’s calendar.
“Haven’t Looked Back Since”
Before bringing Startup Oasis to ATDC, a popular space for Atlanta technology ventures in Midtown Atlanta, Maddox and Martin were both running separate meetup groups designed to connect engineers, founders, and developers. They’d meet at restaurants at first, often pushing tables together as the group grew.
The two met in early 2022 and decided to join forces.
“We haven’t looked back since,” Maddox added. “We’ve both been founders ourselves. We know the struggles. We know the pain points.”
Each month, anywhere from seven to ten app or SaaS founders are selected to give a three-minute pitch at Startup Oasis. Instead of pitching for investment, selected founders take to the mic to ask for help with their product or in finding a co-founder.
Founders then get a breakout room to have more in-depth conversations with attendees.
Those selected to pitch typically have yet to take on venture capital.
Attendees are often what Maddox describes as “9 to 5ers” looking to take the jump into the startup world.
While Startup Oasis has a strong following in Atlanta, Maddox and Martin are building it into a “worldwide movement.” They’ve already hosted popup events in San Francisco, New York, and Bulgaria, with plans for a tour across Southeast Asia next year.
It is about supporting early-stage founders from across the globe who don’t have access to the resources and talent pool they need to succeed.
Filling A Startup Gap
Closer to home, Maddox believes Startup Oasis can be a venue to create more early-stage startups in Atlanta, something that is central to the City’s push to become a Top 5 Tech Hub.
“Not only are we kind of the ‘Single A’ baseball team here in Atlanta, but we’re aggregating it worldwide. The problem exists in almost all major markets, where Single A (early-stage) founders have a hard time getting to the AAA (the highest minor league), they have access to all the incubators and VCs,” Maddox added.
